Ray Parker
(Awarded Life Membership 1979)
Ray Parker joined the club in 1940 and first played with Clarrie O'Brien's "C" Grade team for two seasons. Ray was a very hard worker for the club and was respected on and off the field. A more honest and fairer man would be difficult to find.
Ray has been involved in many teams and administrative positions and some highlights were:
- member of 1952/53 A Reserve premiership team;
- member of 1953/54 A Grade premiership team;
- captain of 1959/60 B5 premiership team;
- captain of 1964/65 B5 premiership team;
- inaugural winner of the Captain's Achievement Award 1972/73;
- nominated as Cricket Division's Sportsman of the Year in 1972/73;
- President of the Cricket Division 1975/76 and 1976/77;
- scored his only century (114) in the 1972/73 semi-final.
Ray became an official umpire in Parramatta District Cricket Association in 1975 and quickly gained a reputation as a fair and sound umpire. Ray was also involved in the Sporting Club in 1981 - the first person to become a life member of the Cricket and Sporting Clubs.
Ray, and the club acknowledge the excellent work of his wife, Maureen, who became a scorer in 1960 for Ray's team. Neil Harvey (the former Australian cricketer) awarded her a special Scorers Award in 1965 at the old Baulkham Hills School of Arts. Maureen held the chairperson's position of the Ladies Auxiliary from 1975-77. It should be noted that Ray and Maureen were both President/Chairperson of respective divisions at the same time in 1975-77.
In summary, two very dedicated people with a history going back to 1940.
[The above was taken from the "Baulkham Hills Cricket Club 75th Anniversary - 1919-1994", published in 1994.]