By Margaret Maccoll
A captivating and entertaining speaker, former Australian cricketer Patsy Fayne of Noosaville will have the audience at Noosa’s Biggest Morning Tea enthralled by tales of her experiences playing for Australia.
There was no political correctness when Patsy played cricket from 1968 to 1976. Instead of taking their cricket skills seriously the media focus was well and truly on the players’ dress and sexual attraction.
Photos caught the women in the dressing sheds or snapped their underwear while they bowled.
“There was a small group of women playing in those days,” she said.
“You just played for the love of the game.”
At the time Patsy worked as a physical education teacher. In order to compete her workplace gave her leave without pay and she was lucky, some girls lost their jobs.
Despite the financial burden of having to pay their own way and the media taunts there were plenty of good times. She travelled with the team, met world leaders and said the experience made an impression on her life.
Patsy will speak at the Biggest Morning Tea to raise money to support research for a cure for cancer, a disease which has touched her life and many others.
Patsy’s mother died from ovarian cancer. Event organiser Annie Evans said having two best friends with cancer was the reason she held the annual event which continues to grow.
Last year it raised $3,800 and this year they have secured their first sponsor, Noosa Mats and Rugs, at 134 Eumundi-Noosa Road, Noosaville, owned by Faye and Ingo Borleis. The Australian Cricket Association has also promised a donation to the fundraiser.
The Biggest Morning Tea will be held at Noosa Boathouse Restaurant, 194 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville on Thursday 24 May from 9.30am. Entry $20. To book phone Annie on 0409 385 566.
