Giles vs ROSS EDWARDS: Volunteer Profile Interview 7/03/2012

Giles Roberts, part-time Sculpture by the Sea Media Man and general all-rounder, bumped into former Australian Cricket batsman and cover fielder Ross Edwards during one of the Great Man’s shifts as a Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2012 volunteer. Here’s what he had to say:

G: So Ross can you tell me how you found out about Volunteering here at SXS?

RE: Well, I'm a local boy and I'm down here almost everyday and I think I just saw the mob wandering round in blue shirts and enquired in at the site office at the Surf Club as to how I could help out. Same goes for this fantastic event, nothing can happen down here at Cott Beach without me hearing it or smelling it ... I only live a few blocks away.

G: David Handley our Director alerted us of your legendary status, can you tell us a bit about your cricketing past?

RE: David grabbed me up here at Sculpture Inside, he must have recognised my name and then let all the staff know ... I mean I'm well before your time (or even David's) but I guess it is nice to be recognised ...

G: When did you play for Australia?

RE: 1972 - 1975, these were the days before things got "professional" so we all had our own jobs part-time, I'm an accountant by profession ... I guess it all became a bit more serious when I got on board with the World Series in 1977, I played at that level until 1979, although I'm an ordinary player really when it comes to cricket greats.

G: You are being very modest here Ross, any great memories from a clasic period of Aussie Cricket?

Ross Edwards; centre, along with Sculpture by the Sea staff Louise Gilligan; right and Catherine Fogarty; left at Sculpture Inside. Photo Giles Roberts.


Ian; and Curtis; left to right, at the Sculpture by the Sea Marquee. Photo Giles Roberts.

RE: Haha, yeah well I played in two tours of England playing at Lords, I played in my first Test at Lords in fact, in 75 I hit 99 then was bowled out! So close. I mean the UK it's the home of cricket, in those days you had a much higher profile up there than back home, it was just magical. 

G: Can you drop some big cricket names ... apart from your own?

RE: I've played with the likes of Dennis Lillee, The Chapels, these are going back to the test days, Rob Marsh, Bob Massie, I was part of the team in June 72 when he took 16 wickets, 8 in each innings, I believe it is still some sort of record. Like I said next to these guys I am a fairly ordinary player, well batsman at least, although playing in a great side did have it's advantages being a good fieldsman I complimented their work and then made my own decent average. I wasn't seen as a threat you see, so managed to pick up a lot of runs left right and centre when no one was looking (chuckles).

G: Great stuff Ross, we are honoured to have someone of your status helping us out, any reflections on Sculpture by the Sea, Cottesloe 2012? Or the event in general, from the point of view of a volunteer and local resident perhaps?

RE: Well apart from all the amazing works of art it is also a great social event bringing people together from all over Perth and WA, interstate and abroad. It's that initial attraction to the coast highlighted by a great selection of sculpture, I mean you can't get a better natural gallery Cottesloe Beach is a natural ampitheatre it's just made for this type of event.

Being a local resident and ratepayer I support Cott council in there aquisition of a new sculpture each year and I guess as a vollie it makes you see (being on this side of the event) just how much work goes into putting it all together. I'd like to do my bit for the local community and in turn contribute to the success of the whole exhibition.

G: Thanks Ross, it's a pleasure to have you with us in 2012 and in years to come.


Each exhibition requires the help of numerous volunteers, without which the exhibition simply could not operate. It’s a great way to meet people from all walks of life and we’ve found they are the kindest and most generous people about! Anyone interested in volunteering for Sculpture by the Sea this year or for any other of our exhibitions please contact Lucy Tesoriero at lucy@sculpturebythesea.com for more information.

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Cheers
Giles GINO Roberts
G
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