When you think of Donnybrook Cricket Club, you think of Noel Seiplot. Jack O’Shea-Ayres chats with the 72-year-old Kalkallo local who recently celebrated 50 years as president of Donnybrook Cricket Club and why he has not plans on stepping down any time soon.
What’s your connection to Donnybrook?
I’ve lived in the Kalkallo-Donnybrook area for most of my life and have seen so many changes, especially being president of the Donnybrook Cricket Club.
What prompted you to take the role of president of Donnybrook Cricket Club?
Before I became the cricket club’s president, there never was a club. I founded Donnybrook Cricket Club back in 1975 and I’ve been running it ever since.
What’s it like being president?
Being the president of Donnybrook Cricket Club since its beginning 50 years ago has been gratifying. Watching the up and coming talent all the way from Woolworth Blast through juniors right up to and including our senior sides is always a proud time. The club started with one senior side and for the upcoming 2025-26 season we now have 22 sides in total in the VTCA [Victorian Turf Cricket Association] and NWMCA [North West Metropolitan Cricket Association].
Where’s your favourite local place to spend time? Would you change anything about where you live?
My favourite place is at the Kalkallo Reserve preparing the turf pitch. I find it very rewarding and relaxing, but I would love to see better infrastructure supporting the local area, like better roads and public transport.
What do you enjoy most about being president of the Donnybrook Cricket Club?
I’ve loved watching the growth and success of the Donnybrook Cricket Club. Over the 50 years I’ve been there, I estimate I’ve volunteered over more than one million hours of my time and in that time I’ve seen a lot of changes and I’m always happy to be a part of it.
