Robinson grew up with cricket being the number one sporting passion within the older generation of his family.

“In the Robinson family, if you didn’t play cricket you nearly got kicked out of home,” he joked.

“I had the pleasure of playing with an uncle and my dad’s first cousin.”

Robinson started playing cricket at the age of 12 in the early 1960s, and is now in his 55^th season.

He represented St Andrews’ under-16 side in a junior competition.

Robinson joined the older generations of his family at the club he would call home, Rhymney-Moyston – known at the time as Rhymney – in 1964.

“I also had the pleasure of playing cricket with both of my sons, David and Nathan in the early 90s,” he said.

“My grandchildren aren’t quite old enough yet but I hope there is a cricketer amongst them.”

Robinson has fond memories of the history at the Rhymney ground.

“There is a creek that runs beside the ground. I can recall a couple of older players trying to stop a cricket ball going over the boundary,” he said.

“I remember one bloke, who shall remain nameless, jumping the fence and landing in a metre of water in the creek with a great splash.”

Robinson also remembers the day he made his first century.

“I’ll never forget it. We played a Stawell side called Trinity. I was lucky enough to make 137,” he said.

“I had never made a lot of runs prior to that day and finally got one. To make it better, it was on our old Rhymney ground.”

A Country Week tournament in Ballarat, where he opened the batted, is also among his playing memories.

“I opened with Henry Gunstone. He said to me ‘you just keep your end up Ray’,” he said.

“The drinks break came up after a number of overs. Our score was 76 – Henry was 65 and I was six.

“I guess I did my part and held up my end.”

The memory is one of the most enjoyable innings Robinson has had in cricket.

“It was most enjoyable to watch and play as a true craftsman in Henry dictated to the opposition bowlers,” he said.

“I don’t really remember what happened after tea but I don’t think I made many more. Henry would have made three figures as he usually did.”

Most of Robinson’s cricket career did not involve a particular role on the field, however he is now the wicketkeeper for Hamilton in the over 60’s competition.

“I was a bit of everything at different times,” he said.

“I began playing cricket with a Bendigo side before being called up to help field a side in Hamilton.

“It’s a very social game but once you go over the white line on the field, it’s on.”

Robinson travels across the state with the team and loves the chance to catch up and meet different people.

“We can be in Mount Gambier one weekend and off to Geelong, Albury or Bendigo the next fortnight,” he said.

“It’s very rewarding. It’s hard work, by the time you play 40 overs on a Sunday.

“The sportsmanship is great. You are out there to get one another out or make runs. At the end of the day, it’s a great get-together to congratulate one another on who had a good day or those who didn’t.

“I think that’s what I appreciate about it the most.”

Robinson has held various executive committee positions at his club, and has influenced cricket within the area.

“I have been the secretary, president and umpired a few games as well for the under-16 competition,” he said.

“I was also part of an instrumental group in the early 1980s who created the under-13 competition in Ararat.”

Despite so many years of cricket behind him, Robinson is modest about his ability and skills.

He still helps out Rhymney-Moyston when required.

“I don’t like the young kids missing out so I will only play if they really need me,” he said.

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