CARL SHARPE, OAM, A RUN SCORER ON LIFE’S BIGGEST GROUND By KEITH CROSSLEY, photos courtesy of the Central Western Daily

WE gather here today sad and with a heavy heart. But also consoled because we have

been blessed. Blessed some way or somehow because Sharpie has touched our life with special

memories which we will always treasure dearly. Today, right now, it is the time for us all to reflect on those heartfelt memories that

this great man has blessed us with. Carl’s achievements in the field of sport, especially the coaching of cricket and

hockey, are many and magnificent. These achievements are well documented and their significance cannot be

understated. It is however, Sharpie the person, the absolute gentleman, friend, workmate,

teammate, clubmate, mentor, father figure and confidant whom we admire, respect and love, that we have come to pay tribute to today.

When describing Sharpie, words are so inadequate when our individual feelings are so powerful.

Sharpie was a man with strong values and standards and at the top of his list was his family.

For 47 years I’ve known Sharpie and the last 40 of these I’ve not lived in Orange. Distance, however, was never a problem because over the 40 years we communicated

regularly by phone, letter and in recent years far more frequently by email. Almost on every occasion we communicated there was mention made of a Sharpe or

Crossley family member. I’ve always admired and respected the high regard in which Sharpie has held family,

and I know Sharpie would want his beautiful family to know that he often told me how proud he was of you and how much he loved you all.

Earlier I mentioned Sharpie’s achievements in coaching sport. In the cricket area he is a legend and icon and is highly respected throughout

Western Districts, Mitchell Cricket Council, NSW Country Cricket and, of course, Orange and Molong cricket.

For years in all these jurisdictions he was respected as an outstanding administrator and executive member because Carl never saw problems, he saw solutions and had an

inclusive manner. A classic example of Sharpie’s inclusiveness was his planning and organisation of the

Otago tours over many years. Irrespective of local club identity, Sharpie enabled talented junior cricketers to come

together and experience a tour of New Zealand.

All players who have taken part in these tours are ever grateful to Sharpie for the lifetime experience.

Carl in his own way portrays the true Aussie battler. He believed in and was committed to motivating and inspiring country and isolated youngsters so they could have the opportunity to reach their potential in and enjoy

the sport they played. In all this work, because of his great humility and selflessness, not once did Sharpie

ever seek accolades or praise. His great satisfaction over many years was to see his charges have success.

Some of these charges went onto to be players, selectors, managers or umpires on the world’s biggest stages, but at all times they recalled their early mentor, remained in

touch with him and forever acknowledged the strong beginnings he provided for them.

Whether it was on the world stage or not, Sharpie had great success in enabling so many to enjoy cricket and other sport at all levels.

As already indicated Sharpie was never one to boast or seek the recognition he deserves, but it is clearly conveyed in the honours bestowed upon him.

LIFE MEMBERSHIPS: Orange City Cricket Club (1969)

Orange District Cricket Association (1975) - I had the privilege to present this badge Western Districts (now Mitchell) Cricket Council (1983)

Orange District Junior Cricket Association (1990) Orange City Hockey Club (1990)

Orange Hockey Association (1990) Orange Eight Day Games (1994)

ACCOLADES: Rotary International Community Service Award (1996)

Australian Sports Medal (2000) Order of Australia Medal (1998) - I had the privilege of being a reference writer for

this award These awards say it all and are testimony to the extraordinary status held by Carl as a

contributor to the world of sport and what he has done for so many aspiring young sportsmen and women.

Sharpie was a dynamic person with a range of unique characteristics and I personally had the opportunity to experience a few firsthand and would like to share some with

you.

As you all would know, Sharpie was a man of few words but his body language would give you a message, loud and clear, if he was not a happy chappy.

Fortunately I was on the end of this only once. It was not long after I arrived in Orange.

It was in a Sunday Molong competition match when in those days the batting side had to umpire.

I was umpiring when Sharpie was hit on the full in front of his stumps. After the appeal I hesitated for a moment - do you give a teammate out LBW?

My conscience said out so I raised my finger. Next thing I saw Sharpie’s glare at me - daggers were slicing into me and although he

said nothing, to this day, I can still see the expression on his face which clearly showed what he thought of my umpiring ability.

I never ever gave Sharpie out LBW again. I’ve mentioned Sharpie’s iconic status in cricket and hockey, but did you know he was

a champion squash player? Well, compared to me he was.

While I was in Orange Sharpie and I met weekly for a game of squash. He would run me ragged and just grin as I crashed into the walls.

The harder I tried the bigger his cheeky grin became as he would ask me if I would be happy to turn up again next week.

I kept going back but never beat the cunning old B. Sharpie was generally a very open-minded guy who was prepared to listen to all

points of view - well, that was what I thought - until you mentioned his beloved St George rugby league side - that’s when I found out just how biased, one-eyed and

stubborn he could be. For over 40 years we have had a lottery ticket on Dragons v Bulldogs games.

On occasions when the ’Dogs won and I tried to stir him he would abruptly end the conversation with a murmur like “talk to me when the ’Dogs win nine premierships

in a row” and then change the subject. I learned quickly you couldn’t really stir Sharpie.

In the early days of our Orange City Cricket Club Sharpie appeared to have this fantasy to be a cowboy.

He owned a registered revolver and often slung a guitar around his shoulder. Once after a match at Euchareena he allowed teammates to have a shot with the

revolver. Cans, empty of course, were lined up about five yards away and fired upon by the

boys. No hits were recorded.

After most Sunday Molong competition games while enjoying a beer, Sharpie would strum his guitar and lead the team to sing many songs which, today, I must say

probably would be banned. These were wonderful days and were fundamental in building team spirit and camaraderie which Sharpie promoted as an essential component of our young

Orange City Cricket Club. Here today there are many of Sharpie’s old teammates, and I know they all would be

willing to testify to the spirit, mateship and fun Sharpie was able to bring to our teams.

Carl is going to be remembered for the many outstanding community contributions he made to the city of Orange; the Sporting Hall of Fame, the Orange Eight Day

Games, Relay for Life, cricket, hockey, etc. But his greatest legacy and his greatest love will always be the Orange City Cricket

Club. As a founding member, along with his values and standards, he was the foundation

rock on which our club was forged. After almost 50 years the club, despite some tough beginnings, has become one of the

most respected clubs in the ODCA and western NSW. Over these 50 years, for many years, Carl served in every executive position and has

been an active participant in club activities every year. He is a life member and the legend without peer in the Orange City Cricket Club. Sharpie’s dedication and devotion to the club has seen mateship, loyalty, pride, goodwill, performance and tradition indelibly written into the fabric of our club.

Carl Sharpe and the Orange City Cricket Club are the one identity. It was a massive honour and privilege to work with Sharpie during those foundation

years. To all present and future club members, as a mark of respect to Sharpie, I urge you to

wear the green and white cap with pride and passion and never forget our Chief Warrior, who almost 50 years ago created our destiny.

Please honour and keep his memory alive and always feel privileged to be a member our club founded by this very special person.

Carl Sharpe, OAM, you have played a magnificent and unrivalled innings, you have scored runs on every part of life’s biggest ground.

For us all, you will always be not out. Not out because we love you dearly and that love will live in our hearts forever.