The President, Board of Management and Members of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association mourn the passing of our esteemed former President Mr. William A Pewtress OAM, who passed away yesterday 9 November 2021 peacefully surrounded by his loving family. Bill was 91.
Bill served the association with distinction for decades including his stint as President spanning from 1985 until his retirement in 1999. Bill was awarded Life Membership of the VTCA in 1989 for his commitment and dedication to the association , particularly transitioning from the VRJA to the VTCA.
If at all possible, Bill’s greater contribution to VTCA cricket could be argued was on field where he earned a reputation as a fierce competitor and was by all accounts a tremendous player and captain / coach of his era.
Amazingly Bill was also awarded Life Membership of four clubs; Carnegie, Clayton, Hampton and Middle Park where he is also selected in the club’s Team of the Century.
In latter years Bill retired down to the idyllic coastal town of Phillip Island but cricket remained his passion and even as late as a ten years ago, he was enticed back into the fold as Chairman of Selectors for Casey – South Melbourne.
In 2014 William A Pewtress was awarded an Order of Australia (OAM) Medal for Services to Cricket, over seventy years, an honour Bill was humbled by but richly deserved for a lifetime dedication to his sport and by virtue, community.
Bill was survived by his three children Ian, Stephen & Elizabeth, 9 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
VTCA President Steve McNamara added, “Out of respect to Bill’s contribution to our Association, I ask our Clubs and Umpires to observe a minutes silence prior to the start of play and to wear black arm bands during the day. Bill served the VTCA over many years with distinction and helped transition the association into a new era. Bill was old school and wore his heart on his sleeve, his family has much to be proud of for all he contributed to this great sport of ours, very few have dedicated such a long period of their life to their sport”.
