Reed and Watson Receive Australia Day Honours

NSWCUSA Life members Graham Reed and Arthur Watson have both been recognised in this year’s Australia Day Honours for their contribution to cricket and the community over the last seven decades.

The pair were two of the 506 individuals across the country awarded Medals in the General Division (OAM).

Reed’s service to cricket began as an umpire in the 1960s, officiating 161 SCA matches in addition to two women’s Test matches, 13 men’s first-class matches and two U19 men’s Test matches.

In speaking to the North Shore Times, he spoke to his pride in receiving the award, “I am humbled but proud to receive the OAM award.

“My proudest moment was being elected as Patron of the NSWCUSA.

“My other proud moments include umpiring NSW in First-Class cricket from 1987 to 1992 – NSW had a wonderful team and it was a pleasure to umpire them.

“None of this would have been possible without the help and support of my darling wife Jo of 64 years.”

Whilst committed to the Association on the field, he was, and continues to be, a dedicated member off-field, with 15 years as a member of the Executive Committee as well as time on the Training and Examination Committees.

He has been a Men’s Premier Cricket Observer since 1992, now past 30 seasons working with our active umpires around the grounds.

Reed was made a Life member in 2000, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016 and has been a Co-Patron since 2017.

He spent time working with Cricket Australia as an Umpire Coach and over a decade working as a Match Referee, overseeing domestic and international fixtures.

Away from cricket, he is also a Life member of the Pharmaceutical Society of New South Wales.

Watson was recognised for his services to the community through a range of organisations, including cricket associations and clubs.

Since joining NSWCUSA in 1969, he has umpired in excess of 800 SCA matches, including 365 in men’s First Grade – as well as three men’s and one women’s ODI and ten men’s first-class matches and a men’s U19 Test match.

He continues as an active umpire to this day, providing guidance to newer and experienced umpires alike.

In speaking to The Parramatta Advertiser, he spoke of what keeps him coming back each weekend, “I love the camaraderie of meeting people and putting something back into the game.

“There’s a certain amount of pressure involved in umpiring, but I guess with experience you cope with the pressure.

“I’ve had many of my decisions over the years questioned, but you survive and get on with the job.

“I have a very supportive family and a supportive wife; without her support it wouldn’t be possible.”

Beyond the boundary, Watson spent close to 30 years as a member of the Executive Committee across two tenures, and 22 years as Honorary Treasurer, as well as significant time on the Examination, Technical and Social Committees.

He is a Life member of our Association, the Sydney Cricket Association, the Fairfield-Liverpool Cricket Umpires’ Association, the Fairfield-Liverpool Cricket Club, the Guidford Leagues Cricket Club and the Probus Club of Holroyd.

Watson has been involved as an umpire with Blind Cricket NSW since 1995 and the umpires room at Rosedale Oval was named after him in 2017.

The Association extends congratulations to both Graham and Arthur and fellow recipients who were recognised for their service to cricket:

Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of Australia
Ms Susan Dorothy Crow
For significant service to sports administration.

Ms Belinda Duarte
For significant service to the Indigenous community, and to sports administration

Mr Walter John Edwards
For significant service to cricket administration

Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division
Mr David Sutton Crow
For service to cricket

Mr Ivo John Havard
For service to cricket and football   

Mr Kent Mayo
For service to the community of Uralla

Mr Henry Meskauskas
For service to the community of Maitland

Mr Brian Joseph O’Malley
For service to the community through a range of organisations

Mr Graham Edward Reed
For service to cricket

Mr Marshall Frederick Rosen
For service to cricket

Mr Alexander Gregory Ross
For service to the community through a range of organisations

Mr Arthur George Watson
For service to the community through a range of organisations

Mr Glenn Wilbur Wright
For service to the community of Leongatha