Out of the (cricket) ashes comes a popular CQU Press book
Published on 16 September, 2004
In 1949 on Australia Day weekend, eight teams played three days of cricket in the searing heat in Charters Towers.
They weren't to realise it at the time but, over 50 years later, Charters Towers is still hosting cricketers on the Australia Day weekend in the searing summer heat.
The eight teams have grown to over 170 teams, and it is believed to be the world's biggest cricket carnival.
On September 1-2, 2004, Charters Towers and Townsville hosted launches of the title 'The Charters Towers Goldfield Ashes: The History of a Cricket Carnival 1949-2004', complete with a re-enactment of the burning of the ashes during the Charters Towers launch.
Comprised of over 50 years worth of anecdotes, amusing stories and information regarding the carnival, author Neal Sellars commented that the events held in Charters Towers and Townsville were not so much a launch, but rather a reunion, as many of the older players featured in the book were present.
Special guest speaker Doug Walters, former Australian test cricket player and Goldfield Ashes participant, added humour to the evening, recounting stories from his test playing days and his motivation to become a test cricketer - how he told his teachers that he didn’t have to do homework because he “didn’t need to pass exams to play cricket for Australia”, and their doubt in his ability to succeed at school and play cricket at that level. Their doubt inspired him to prove them wrong.
The crowds at each launch swelled to over 200 in Charters Towers and 300 in Townsville – with each launch generating much media hype on WIN TV and within the pages of the Townsville Bulletin, Northern Miner and North Queensland Register. Neal Sellars has also been interviewed on ABC Radio in Townsville.
With all the media attention, 'The Charters Towers Goldfield Ashes' has been catapulted to number two on the Townsville best-seller lists and is available now from CQU Press at the RRP of $25.95.
Photos: The ashes burning and the group at the launch (from left) former Dalrymple Shire Mayor Peter Black (MC), Doug Walters, Neal Sellars (Author), Ken Sellars and Don Skinner.
Ken and Don were also involved in the gathering of information for 'The Charters Towers Goldfield Ashes'.