~Jimmy Taylor~
Tumut & Gilmore
1875 - DEATH OF AN ABORININAL NATIVE OF QUEANBEYAN.- The Tumut correspondent, of the Southeern Argus, eo~n plaining of measles in that district, says :-Nor are the aboriginals excluded from its centagions influences. one of this race named John Taylor, :aged 0 y ats, died from this disease on last Sunday. He was a native of Queanboyan, he has been in this district for many years in the employment of Mr E. G. Browne as stock keeper, which occupation he filled with much skill and credit to himself. His upright conduct merited for him very high respect from Mr Brown and the entire district.
He was a general favourite, and very descrvyedly because of his mild disposition. He was termed a "star" at cricketing, as where jicer l? whenever h(Eplayed 'h1h made the highest score. The reputation of the Tumut team of cricketers Attantd'highi=and -yct'Joh n Taylor was the best). At dinner after the day's contest, when the health was drunk to the highest scorer, Taylor being the person referred to was sure to stand up and reply in very suitable language.
Some short time since he left Mr Browne, and was livirig with Mr.Thos Downing. of Rosebank, where he died. His remains were conveyed to the Protestant cemetery by a very respectable cortege. The Rev. Mr Jones read the usual prayers. - (Ref- Queanbeyan Age (NSW : 1867 - 1904)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 7 July 1875).
1929 - EARLY DAYS Of District Cricket - FIRST TEAM IN 1854 ABORIGINES IN XI - Early cricket records which have been unearthed in connection with the compilation of the year book by the F.C.T. Cricket Association, show that cricket was first played in the Federal Capital Territory as early as 76 years ago when the first club was formed by William Davis at Gininderra in 1854. Cricket has been played continuously in the Hall district until the present day with the exception of during the Great War.
The following players represented in first cricket match played in the Territory: W. Davis, W. Campbell, W. Bowyer, J. Shumack, R. Shumack, M. Southwell, D. Cameron, A. Cameron, W. Creswell, Mason and Robby and Jimmy Taylor. In 1860 this team won nine out of ten matches. Of these players Mr. R. Shumack, of Canberra, is still living and is probably the oldist cricketer in Canberra. R. Shumack was considered at the time to be the best batsman in the team. W. Creswell was later in his life identifid as Sir Robert Tichbourne, who had a remarkable career. He was a good cricketer and in a match at Gininderra in 1863 ran ten runs from one hit, there being no boundaries at that time.
Bobby and Jimmy Taylor were two aboriginals. Bobby was the wicket keeper and Jimmy later developed into one of the best batsmen in the Southern Districts; he, too, had to his credit a ten-run hit. Leaving Glninderra in 1869 they died at Tumut two years later.
The team undertook numerous tours to Cooma, Goulburn, Gundaroo, Braidwood and Tuggeranong, and to all the surrounding districts as clubs were formed. The last match to be played on the old Glninderra ground was against Gundaroo in January, 1876. In the following year owing to a change, in ownership of Gininderra the club was rooted to Hall and was then known as the One Tree Hill Club. Matches were played opposite the old hotel then owned by Samuel Davis. A match against Canberra was the first to be played on this ground in 1878. Messrs. S. Shumack, of Peakhurst, James, of Hall, and R. Shumack, of Canberra, who played in this match, are still living.
Canberra and One Tree Hill Clubs amalgamated after this match. In later years the club produced some good cricketers, notably the Gribbles, Southwells and Buckmasters. Edgar Williams was a line bowler and in a match at Bungendore took 15 wickets for 15 runs. It is interesting to note the keenness which inspired the players at that time. The journey to Bungendore was undertaken on horseback, the men riding a distance of 30 miles on the Friday preceding the match, playing all day Saturday and returning to Hall after the match.
Until 1898 all matches were played on dirt pitches. A concrete pitch was used at Hall until 1922, when an ant bed wicket was laid. In 1928 the F.C.T, Cricket Association decided that all clubs under its jurisdiction should use concrete wickets. - (Ref- The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 18 September 1929).