Tony Holmes says the cricket grounds are a great place for locals to connect with RAAF members in the Anzac spirit of camaraderie. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
The return of the traditional cricket match between Cooktown and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will display the mateship and Anzac spirit the sport has come to symbolise.
After commemorative events on 25 April, Cooktown will face off against its associated RAAF transport unit, the No. 35 Squadron, for the first time in more than five years on Sunday (26 April).
Organiser Tony Holmes said it was great the RAAF members could stick around to bring the match back to Cooktown this year.
“It was COVID that sort of stopped it, and before that, it had been going on for about 20 years,” he said.
“It’s a good way for the locals to mix with the RAAF as part of an Anzac tradition; we get to meet them on a bit more of a personal level.
“These days, it’s mixed teams, so the men and the ladies from the RAAF, and the men and the ladies from the Cooktown cricket club, all come together.”
Holmes said the entire community was invited to the Queens Park Cricket Oval on Sunday morning for kick-off around 9 am.
“RSL sub-branch are putting on a free barbecue, and there’ll be a bar operational to keep everyone hydrated,” he said.
“Everyone’s welcome, and it’ll be a very fun, family day.”
