Bondi shooting heroes and victims join Sydney’s elite at SCG Ashes Test

2 months ago 25

Heroes who put their lives at risk to save others during the Bondi mass shooting, along with the victims of the tragedy, were recognised in a tribute on day one of Sydney’s Ashes Test on Sunday.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, who suffered five gunshot wounds while tackling one of the Bondi shooters, was honoured before play. With his arm in a sling after undergoing three rounds of surgery, he chanted “Aussie Aussie Aussie” after walking through the guard of honour at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Ahmed al-Ahmed, the hero of Bondi, was recognised alongside first responders at the SCG.

First responders, including intensive care paramedics, NSW police officers, hospital and SES staff, lifeguards and lifesavers, and 14-year-old Chaya Dadon, who shielded two young children with her body during the attack, and was wounded while doing so, were also recognised.

Also, fan rivalry was put aside outside the ground before a ball had been bowled when famous Australian supporters group The Richies teamed up with England’s Barmy Army to promote the McGrath Foundation and the Pink Test, which raises awareness and funds for cancer treatment. They were joined by the Sydney Philharmonia Choir, 80 of whom were dressed in McGrath Day pink.

Glenn McGrath, the husband of the late Jane McGrath, who died in 2008 as a result of cancer, was there to witness the singing, which wowed the crowds that had gathered.

The Richies, a group in which fans dress as legendary cricket commentator Richie Benaud, have been a fixture on day two of the past 16 New Year’s Tests at the SCG. They have announced that this year will be their last as a collective.

McGrath Foundation, The Richies and The Barmy Army with The Sydney Philharmonic Choir at SCG.

With the SCG stands packed and tickets rare, cricket fans started queuing as early as 5 am to secure seats. Any invitation to a private box or suite for the opening day of the New Year’s Test was gratefully accepted by the high-flyers of the business, political and sporting worlds.

The big three venues in the SCG hospitality world, in order, are the Sheridan Suite, hosted by Venues NSW (formerly the SCG Trust), the Arthur Morris Room, hosted by Cricket Australia, and the Steve Waugh Room, hosted by Cricket NSW.

The Sheridan Suite was literally a who’s who of Australia. Former prime minister John Howard is a fixture there each year, and he happily sat giving an interview to whoever asked, one of whom was Canberra journalist Chris Uhlmann.

Steve Waugh, centre, and in the upper-right corner, Herald columnist Peter FitzSimons.

While Howard later gave his thoughts on England’s batting line-up to Fox Cricket, nearby sat the eminently more qualified Steve Waugh, who snubbed the suite named in his honour and sat in the Victor Trumper Stand.

Seats were so scarce that at one stage, broadcaster Lisa Wilkinson sat on author and journalist husband Peter FitzSimons’ lap.

FitzSimons’ boss Matt Stanton, CEO of Nine Entertainment Company, which owns The Sydney Morning Herald, was there with son Freddie. That’s despite Nine giving up on cricket in favour of tennis as its primary summer sport years ago. Also representing Nine was its boss of broadcasting Amanda Laing.

Current free-to-air cricket broadcaster Seven was represented by managing director Ryan Stokes and his wife, Claire, as well as much-loved Sunrise sports presenter Mark Beretta, who has bowed out of the show after 22 years.

Venues NSW chairman David Gallop was there with his wife, Kathy. Former NSW premier Mike Baird, chair of Cricket Australia, was accompanied by dad Bruce, and CA CEO Todd Greenberg and his son Cooper.

A member of The Richies and the Barmy Army with Glenn McGrath on Sunday.

Venues NSW director and NRL broadcaster Yvonne O’Keefe brought husband Chris O’Keefe along as a handbag, resplendent in a checked suit. A multiple award-winning journalist, Chris is now a corporate heavy, heading up his own advisory business, Emerald House Advocacy.

Other notables were NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, former governor-general Peter Cosgrove, Qantas CEO Vanessa Hudson, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon, Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather with two of her new directors, publisher Edwina McCann and league great Ian Roberts, corporate heavy Tony Shepherd, ABC chair Kim Williams and Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh.

The first responders who were honoured before play were special guests in the CA suite, including Ahmed al-Ahmed.

They were entertained in the lunch break by Pink Test spearhead Glenn McGrath. The box was hosted throughout the day by journalist and presenter Julie Snook, who has become a favourite of CA for corporate engagements.

Cricket NSW chair John Knox, partner and head of private equity firm Ares Credit Group, had former Test players Peter Taylor, David Gilbert (now an international match referee) and Ed Cowan in attendance as well as a string of politicians and business heavies including NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos, member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen, Destination NSW CEO Karen Jones and former opposition leader Mark Speakman.

On Monday, day two of the SCG Test will feature England great Stuart Broad as the lunch break special guest. Baird and Greenberg will be back at the CA Suite, where they will be joined by Australian Olympic Committee boss, former Rudd government powerbroker and sports minister Mark Arbib.