I wish my father was alive to read this - his favourite batsman was Neil Harvey and he and my Mother would sit in the Sheridan Stand at the SCG in the late 1950s/early 1960s and watch him and others play.
I don't know if this is true but Dad claimed at the end of the day he would come up and have a chat with my parents and his parents who would often sit in the same stand - even if it isn't true I would like to think it is - a great story regardless.
I did get to sit in the Sheridan Stand as a kid in the early 1980s before it was demolished to build the Clive Churchill stand.
It was a pleasure to meet you at 198 Argyle St. today.
I spoke to a few of the Harvey clan at the event. They were chuffed, in their modest way, that you have brought this cause into the light.
I said to my family tonight that it was an hour or so of distilled cricket joy. Thank you.
My old skipper Jeff, still a man of few words, gripped my hand like a clamp. I thanked him for being the best captain I played under, hard, but encouraging and fair. And it was warming to chat with his wife Marilyn who made this boy from the bush so welcome at Fitzroy and also to laugh with his three sons about their ability to swoop on leftover sandwiches at afternoon tea. Preternatural energy they had.
Best wishes in the quest for realising Harvey Lane.
That’s a beautiful piece of writing Gideon, the past and the present together all the way through. The photos are wonderful too, including the very last one. A perfect way to end it. Thank you.
You are to be congratulated for striving to keep this bit of Melbourne history alive. The laneway cobblestones must be retained and renamed Harvey lane. Sorry I couldn't have been there.
What a brilliant achievement and it's fantastic to see cricketers of new and not-so-new there to appreciate the work to get the lane way back. Well done GH and team.
Loved this story. Neil Harvey was also my brother’s favourite cricketer. He would have loved the history. My son lives close to the Lane, (in George Street Fitzroy, so l am looking forward to seeing it.
Love this article. The literary equivalent of the Bluey cricket episode. Emotions welling up of great days with family and friends in our own improvised games. Like the Bluey episode will be coming back again and again to read this. Thanks again.
You were one of the Harveys I didn't meet on Wednesday. You delivered a memorable speech, blessed with the direct conduit to Neil.
As it happened, my good mate Sam Armstrong played in a match yesterday at the SCG between the Nelson XI and the Harvey XI. Alexander and Daniel were the representative Harveys. I assume they are clan members. In true style, the Harveys were far too good!
Lovely piece Gideon! From a historical perspective, the bluestone lanes are very interesting – they often came about as a measure to fill in and cover Victorian-era gutters (especially the ones located between houses like this), hence the distinctive groove down the middle. Despite their rarity today they're hardly heritage listed regardless of social or commercial significance. Wonderful to see Harvey Lane get recognised!
I told my Dad about this article, he wa shorn in Saint Kilda in ‘42 .. he said there were many such “areas of inventiveness” to play cricket then with limited resources .. thank you Gideon for a wonderful story 😎
What a great article and piece of writing GH.
I wish my father was alive to read this - his favourite batsman was Neil Harvey and he and my Mother would sit in the Sheridan Stand at the SCG in the late 1950s/early 1960s and watch him and others play.
I don't know if this is true but Dad claimed at the end of the day he would come up and have a chat with my parents and his parents who would often sit in the same stand - even if it isn't true I would like to think it is - a great story regardless.
I did get to sit in the Sheridan Stand as a kid in the early 1980s before it was demolished to build the Clive Churchill stand.
Thanks as always for the wonderful prose.
Your dad chose his hero well.
My mother grew up in Fitzroy with 4 brothers who all knew and played in the lane way with the Harvey’s.
She lived nearby in Napier st.
She always pronounced Napier as “Na peer” and refused any other pronunciation
Great pictures
I'll think of it as Na Peer Street from now on.
That’s a special connection to Dad and his brothers. Thank you for sharing. Bruce Harvey
Hi Bruce
I haven’t heard of a Hector Sheehan .
Preston, thornbury, Fairfield were where they lived back in the early 60s.
I’m 70 and have some memories of my grandfather Francis Sheehan long in Preston.
My mother was part of The Annand’s who lived in Fitzroy in the late 40s and 50s.
Cheers
Greg
Hi Greg, I have just hung up the phone after taking with Dad. One of your uncles wouldn’t have been Hec (Hector) Sheehan would it? Bruce
Hi Gideon,
It was a pleasure to meet you at 198 Argyle St. today.
I spoke to a few of the Harvey clan at the event. They were chuffed, in their modest way, that you have brought this cause into the light.
I said to my family tonight that it was an hour or so of distilled cricket joy. Thank you.
My old skipper Jeff, still a man of few words, gripped my hand like a clamp. I thanked him for being the best captain I played under, hard, but encouraging and fair. And it was warming to chat with his wife Marilyn who made this boy from the bush so welcome at Fitzroy and also to laugh with his three sons about their ability to swoop on leftover sandwiches at afternoon tea. Preternatural energy they had.
Best wishes in the quest for realising Harvey Lane.
It was bloody great, wasn't it? Thanks for coming, Mark.
That’s a beautiful piece of writing Gideon, the past and the present together all the way through. The photos are wonderful too, including the very last one. A perfect way to end it. Thank you.
Fantastic article Gideon!!!
So much history, urban design and social perspectives to absorb.
Thanks for all the work you have done to both recognize and preserve the past.
Awesome seeing Banger Harvey there as well.
Go Saints ❤️🤍🖤
He was brilliant - a typical Harvey.
You are to be congratulated for striving to keep this bit of Melbourne history alive. The laneway cobblestones must be retained and renamed Harvey lane. Sorry I couldn't have been there.
What a brilliant achievement and it's fantastic to see cricketers of new and not-so-new there to appreciate the work to get the lane way back. Well done GH and team.
Gideon, marvellous work by you and all who helped.🤗
Loved this story. Neil Harvey was also my brother’s favourite cricketer. He would have loved the history. My son lives close to the Lane, (in George Street Fitzroy, so l am looking forward to seeing it.
Love this article. The literary equivalent of the Bluey cricket episode. Emotions welling up of great days with family and friends in our own improvised games. Like the Bluey episode will be coming back again and again to read this. Thanks again.
Woke up in the UK to this fantastic article by Gideon.Neil Harvey has always been a great favourite
of mine.Please keep us up to date on the progress with the Council for Harvey Lane.
By the way i have purchased this week Steve Cannane's book and look forward to reading it having now finished Gideon's latest.
Steve's book is terrific.
My 87 year old father has said his hero Harvey’s ‘defection’ to NSW was one of the great stressors of his early life
Following the route taken by KR Miller!
It would been for many, I feel. Chasing a reasonable income forced Mum and Dad’s hand.
Hi Bruce,
You were one of the Harveys I didn't meet on Wednesday. You delivered a memorable speech, blessed with the direct conduit to Neil.
As it happened, my good mate Sam Armstrong played in a match yesterday at the SCG between the Nelson XI and the Harvey XI. Alexander and Daniel were the representative Harveys. I assume they are clan members. In true style, the Harveys were far too good!
Regards,
Mark
Thanks very much Mark. It was a wonderful day.
I’m not familiar with that clash at the SCG, but happy to accept the connection.
Maybe I’ll get an invite next time 😂
Lovely piece Gideon! From a historical perspective, the bluestone lanes are very interesting – they often came about as a measure to fill in and cover Victorian-era gutters (especially the ones located between houses like this), hence the distinctive groove down the middle. Despite their rarity today they're hardly heritage listed regardless of social or commercial significance. Wonderful to see Harvey Lane get recognised!
Here here!
I told my Dad about this article, he wa shorn in Saint Kilda in ‘42 .. he said there were many such “areas of inventiveness” to play cricket then with limited resources .. thank you Gideon for a wonderful story 😎
What a great story. Thanks Gid.