THE funeral service for Graeme Edward Sawkins on September 8 2015 brought together the largest gathering of Shoalhaven cricket identities in a long time.
The lengthy guard of honour formed in the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre at the conclusion of the service comprised representatives of most Shoalhaven clubs, whose involvement spanned six decades.
Graeme’s sudden death at the age of 63 had occurred while playing a round of golf at Shoalhaven Heads on August 27 – the anniversary of the birth of Sir Donald Bradman.
While sons Matt and Jed shared anecdotes of their sports-loving father during the service, his brother Ian and nephew Paul concentrated on a notable cricket career.
It all started with games on the family property at Kangaroo Valley, but Graeme’s first premiership came in 1960-61 with Cambewarra under 15s, when he was just nine years of age.
He proved to be a notable player in juniors, and was almost certainly denied further premierships by Ian Davis who was destined to become Shoalhaven’s first test player.
In 1963-64 Graeme was playing under 14s with the Valley, alongside his father Harry who was the team’s custodian (adult player).
Then followed three seasons in under 15s where he emerged as a dominant player with bat and ball.
Playing both juniors and seniors in 1965-66, he amassed over 700 runs and took 70 wickets for the season, and not surprisingly took out the junior aggregate award.
After snaring 5/14 in the semi-final against St Michael’s, Graeme took 3/68 from a marathon 27 overs in the grand final loss to Trojans, but could not remove Davis who remained 70 not out.
He had scored the first century of the summer (107 in 73 minutes against Youth Club) and taken the first hat-trick of the summer.
A year later he again made the first hundred, 108 against Presbyterians that occupied 85 minutes.
Half-centuries in each of the finals gave him 589 runs in his last junior season (1966-67), at an average of 65.44.
There were many notable bowling performances, highlighted during that summer when he followed up a century against Berry with match figures of 12/27 (5/11 and 7/16).
Around the time of his 13th birthday he had made his senior debut in 1964-65, with Kangaroo Valley Colts in second grade, and soon had a top score of 74.
His first senior premiership came in 1965-66 with that side, after his 5/70 in the semi-final against Warriors.
An unbeaten 46 on debut in first grade came against Cambewarra in 1966-67, and before the end of the season he had shared an opening stand of 113 with captain Eddie Jarrett.
When Kangaroo Valley failed to nominate for first grade in 1967-68, this pair joined the Berry club which went all the way to the grand final.
Sawkins took 19 wickets in the final series, which places him equal sixth on the all-time SDCA list.
In the semi-final against Cambewarra he took 5/57 and 8/60, and his match figures and second innings analysis remain in the top four for first grade semis.
His 5/62 in the grand final was not enough to force a victory, and back at the Valley the following summer, he was again in a runner-up combination.
In 1969-70 he top-scored six times in first grade innings, and the side was eliminated by Bomaderry despite his 6/29 in the semi-final.
With Graeme (then aged 20) as an inspirational captain, Kangaroo Valley won its only first grade premiership in 1971-72.
In the grand final he bowled throughout the Cambetross first innings for figures of 6/42 from 16 (eight-ball) overs, and his second innings 53 was the highest score of the match.
Still captain in 1975-76, Graeme top-scored in six innings, but that proved to be the Valley’s last season in the top division.
He enjoyed another premiership with Nowra in 1976-77, and after playing some matches with Bomaderry and Albatross, he ended his first grade career with Berry in 1984-85.
There were not a lot of centuries scored in first grade during his era, but he passed 50 on 16 occasions in compiling more than 3000 runs, and his 250 wickets included 11 bags of five or more.
From 1963-64 until 1975-76, Graeme was a regular in Shoalhaven representative teams, starting in the under 13s and ending as captain of the seniors.
Among many junior highlights, his double of 55 retired and 5/25 was instrumental in Shoalhaven 16s defeating Canterbury-Bankstown in 1966-67.
He represented the Illawarra Cricket Council on various occasions, notably in 1972-73 when he led the senior team in a match against South Australia.
After seven years out of the game, Graeme returned to play third grade with Bomaderry in 1992-93 and he was in his element encouraging the next generation of young cricketers.
By 1997-98, he was leading a team that included his two sons, along with brother Ian and his two sons, and it gave them great pleasure to win the third grade premiership.
While the next generation rapidly progressed to first grade, Graeme and Ian were close at hand, providing every support that was required.
As club secretary for more than a decade, Graeme was involved in coaching, team selection and ground preparation, and it was not by accident that Bomaderry enjoyed a most successful era.
He also found time to score first grade matches, providing greater detail than ever before.
Apart from his work at club level, Graeme was active in the association, and in two stints served nine years as treasurer.
He coached successful Shoalhaven sides, and at different times participated in the work of the judiciary, grounds and grading committees.
Representing Shoalhaven at Southern Zone for a decade, he had two terms as vice-president, and was often selector, coach and/or manager of its teams at NSW carnivals.
Graeme had been honoured with life membership by Kangaroo Valley where he started his senior career; and by Bomaderry where he ended his playing days but continued to guide the club in administrative roles.
Written by Alan Clarke, October 2015