Gillie's back to help kids
DURING a Lord's Taverners Northern NSW fundraiser in Lismore yesterday, 200 people were treated to an exclusive live interview between renowned current affairs journalist Kerry O'Brien and cricket legend Adam Gilchrist.
Mr O'Brien best summarised the cricketing flare of his interviewee by saying: "Richie Benaud once observed he had never seen a cricketer hit the ball sweeter than Adam Gilchrist."
Although Mr Gilchrist lives in Perth, he grew up in Lismore and is Lord's Taverners Northern NSW branch patron. As such, he visits the region regularly to promote the organisation.
"It's a tremendous thrill to get back to Lismore and support this fantastic organisation that, as you just heard, really does contribute some amazing work in so many different ways," he said.
Mr Gilchrist's father, Stan, is chairman of Lord's Taverners Northern NSW and said the organisation aims to "give disadvantaged and disabled kids a sporting chance".
It funds numerous programs, including a Twenty20 cricket competition for local schools and table-top cricket for disabled children.
Yesterday, Mr O'Brien also interviewed retired rugby league legend and Lismore local, Kevin Junee, who played for Easts and won the Rothman's Medal in 1970.
Member for Lismore Thomas George walked on stage after the interviews and assumed the role of auctioneer.
A cricket bat in a box with pictures of Sir Donald Bradman was auctioned-off for $3600 while a signed Australian Test shirt, donated by Adam Gilchrist, fetched $1900.
Other items auctioned included a whisky decanter with glasses and cricket bat signed by former Australian and West Indies Test captains, Ricky Ponting and Chris Gayle, which sold for $400 and $800 respectively.
A raffle was also drawn and a copy of Adam Gilchrist's autobiography, True Colours, were given away to lucky attendees.
