(AKA “Wriggler”)

Wayne, the great grandson of George Henry Perrin, was born in Deniliquin N. S. W. on the 9^th  Sep. 1951 to Michael and Joan (nee Wharton) Bradley making him a true baby boomer. His  first school , in 1957 was the George St. Public School Deniliquin (1862-1972), the family residing at 484 Maher St. (Both pictured below.)

Two years later the family moved to a property on the Hay Rd. which they called “Mulloka”. Aboriginal legend has it as “the spirit that lives in the water”. In keeping with this …. a dam was built!

Farm life was tough but fun and all chipped in, the farm being sold in 1971, 12 years later.

His first “snow bunny” experience came in 1963 as a school excursion took the grade 6’s to Mt Buffalo. Later that year Wayne, taking on the role of Tarzan, unseen by his grandmother and family, leapt from a box reaching out to grab a gambrel, used to hang lambs for the kill, but only made contact with one side. His hand slid down the rope and caught the curled end, ripping the palm of his right hand, requiring an ambulance trip to hospital and 13 stitches. This made “handball” sports extremely unlikely for a very long time, the scars still apparent.  

1964 saw another serious health issue, Osteomyelitis, which was eating into his shin bone. Much time was spent in the local hospital and the Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, and he suffered months of using crutches. Clearly “all active sports” far off the agenda for now.

In 1968 four family members (Grandma Iris aged 62, father Michael, brother Christopher and Wayne) attended  St Paul’s Anglican Church for a confirmation service.   

In 1969 Wayne was invested as a Prefect at Deniliquin High School going on to  complete a very successful HSC year. His results earned him a scholarship to Wagga Wagga Teachers College which he took up in 1970. He was passed over in the 1971 national service conscription ballot, while those born either side were not so lucky.

His teaching career began on 11^th February 1972 at Ariah Park Central School and with help from the bank of mum and dad he purchased his first car, an orange Corolla. 

Soon after, while driving a friend’s car in Wagga Wagga, Wayne became aware that driving with your lights on  high beam when approaching oncoming traffic (in this case a police car!) was an offence. Accommodation that night was free…… in the police lock up.  A lesson learnt.

In 1975 after 3 years teaching at Ariah Park School, Wayne returned to his home town to teach at the brand new (not quite finished) Edward School.

Wayne and his brothers Christopher and Scott played together with the Hay Rovers Seniors top 18 footy team on quite a few occasions. A thrill I’m sure for them and family to have all three brothers on the oval at the same time. (Which of the three do you barrack for?)

For Wayne it’s Essendon …… all the way. (Mmmm)

This picture below taken July 1976

Wayne married Cheryl Perry on the 14^th January 1977 at the Courthouse in Hay. Friends and family attended the blessing of the marriage the following day at St Paul’s Anglican Church, in Deniliquin and all celebrated after at the Commercial Hotel.

Wayne & Cheryl’s son Anthony Joel was born on the 17^th February 1979.

Anthony was big on footy in his teens, making the State AFL Under 16 Side in 1994, but has always enjoyed and shared a lifelong association and passion for cricket with his dad.

1988 sees Wayne completing 5 years of external studies at Charles Sturt  University, Wagga Wagga and gaining a Bachelor of Education to accompany his Diploma of Education. His cap and gown being presented in Wagga Wagga on 13^th Apr ‘1989 with his mum, dad and wife proudly there to witness.

In 1989 Wayne and Cheryl took on Coaching and Administrative roles for the Deniliquin Junior Soccer Club, a dedication earning them both Life Memberships.

Joan Bradley, Wayne’s mum, in celebrating Wayne’s 40^th birthday penned a story titled “This is your life”  in 1991. An interesting read with lots of photos.

In 1994 Wayne was asked to attend the Australia Day Celebrations in Waring Gardens, Deniliquin. To his great surprise Tommy Tycho (musician and Australia Day Ambassador for Deniliquin) bestowed two awards in his favour. Wayne received the title of Deniliquin “Citizen of the Year”  AND within moments was also the recipient of the inaugural “Sports Administrator of the Year”.  A great surprise and wonderful achievement for a 42 year old and an extremely proud time for family and friends. Also achieving an award as “Young Citizen of the Year” was a former student of Wayne’s, Rohana Rapley.

(Wayne , Tommy Ticho and Rohana Rapley)

It doesn’t get much better than that………..

OR DOES IT?

In 1996 Wayne (nicknamed “Wriggler”, by his Year 1 class mate Greg Collins – apparently he couldn’t sit  still in class) made a successful comeback to DDCA B grade cricket taking 3 for 28 in 10 overs for his beloved “Wests”(not bad eh?). The West Deniliquin Cricket Club celebrated 50 years in that year with all of the organisation and planning managed successfully by Wayne. Ex-cricketers came from all over and John Williamson entertained at the main event at the Deniliquin RSL.

A gut wrenching fire destroyed many rooms of the Edward Street school on Easter Sunday 1996.

Wayne’s records, programs and his beloved guitar were all destroyed. Indeed memories for many teachers, parents and children were lost for all time and all who saw it were reduced to tears, while desperately searching the rubble for “anything”.

Wayne’s father Michael died in 1997 and Wayne became his Mum’s right hand man on the farm “Pinseside”. He took on all the “heavy lifting” jobs, removing and carting rubbish, cleaning and clearing out the sheds, painting, burning off, mowing…… you name it, he did it. This on top of his teaching, sports and sports administration work.

In August 2000 Wayne relinquished his role as Riverina Cricket Zone Administrator, a position he had held for 9 years saying “I’ve enjoyed my time in the position and I think it has been of benefit to the cricket in Deniliquin to have a local person in this position. The advantage of having cricket contacts associated with Deniliquin, as well as funding has hopefully been a benefit to local cricket,”.

He retained his role as Secretary/Treasurer for the Southern Riverina Cricket Council, a position he has held for 40 years from 1981 to 2021.  He also continued his ongoing role as co-ordinator of junior cricket in Deniliquin.

The following article from the Deniliquin Pastoral Times dated 13^th July 2004 celebrates Wayne’s Life Membership of the Riverina Cricket Zone. In doing so it lists many of his achievements not all widely known.

• “DENILIQUIN’S Wayne Bradley has been described as the most important man in Riverina cricket in being inducted as a life member of the Riverina Cricket Zone.
• Bradley was inducted at the Riverina Cricket Zone annual general meeting and inaugural dinner held at Barooga recently.
• He was one of six inaugural life members inducted on the night.
• Bradley has been involved with the Riverina Cricket Zone for 11 seasons, as either secretary or administrator.
• He has been the administrator for the Southern Riverina Council since 1983 and has 30 years involvement in both senior and junior cricket in Deniliquin.
• Others to receive life memberships were Greg Bennett, Cootamundra, Gordon Browne, Griffith, Warren Smith, Wagga Wagga, Arthur Stacey, Temora and Eric Thorburn, Cootamundra.
• An extensive citation was read out at the dinner, detailing Bradley’s illustrious career in cricket.
• It read: “His expertise and attention to detail makes Wayne the most important man in Riverina cricket.”
• Gerry Corrigan’s book, A History of West Deniliquin Cricket Club was also quoted, “Wayne was a right hand batsman who at times scored useful runs, but is better known as a right arm medium pace bowler with a very proud record behind him, including three hat tricks, 35 times collecting five or more wickets in an innings with a best haul of 8/20.”
• Bradley won the Deniliquin B grade cricket of the year in 1978/79 (63 wickets at 9.9) and in 1979/80 (66 wickets at 7.4).
• He played 170 matches for West in B grade, capturing 487 wickets at 11.3, top score with the bat was 85 (up to season 95/96).
• Bradley’s actual playing career spanned over 26 seasons, 1975 – 2001.
• Bradley was the administrator of the Deniliquin Junior Cricket Association for 28 years, 1974/75 – 2001/02 and since then has taken on the role of treasurer.
• He is a foundation member of the Southern Riverina Cricket Council and a Deniliquin delegate since 1982.
• In 1994, Bradley was awarded the Deniliquin Australia Day Council Citizen of the Year for services to junior sport, and in the same year was awarded the Deniliquin Sports Council, Sports Administrator of the Year Award.
• His life membership into the Riverina Cricket Zone adds to his life memberships in the West Deniliquin Cricket Club (1990), Deniliquin and District Cricket Association (1992), Deniliquin Junior Soccer Club (1992), Southern Riverina Cricket Council (1993) and the Deniliquin Junior Australian Football League (1995).
• Among his many other talents, Bradley has had 30 years of continuing involvement in the NSW Primary Schools Sports Association, is an accredited lifesaving instructor and award examiner and has been involved with the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (NSW Branch) since 1975.
• He was club secretary of the Deniliquin Junior Soccer Club from 1985 to 1992 and his wife Cheryl is also a life member of this club.
• Bradley was involved with the Deniliquin Junior Australian Rules Football League for ten years and has also been secretary of the Deniliquin Rovers Football Club in 1985 and 1986 and is also a Justice of the Peace.

With all these achievements under his belt, Deniliquin’s own Wayne Bradley is certainly a deserving life member.”

BUT IT GETS EVEN BETTER!

In 2007 Wayne, together with another Deniliquin cricket identity Mary Loy, were awarded O. A. M’s in the General Div. for their years of tireless service to cricket and the community in the Queen’s birthday honours list.

On the 21^st September 2007 Wayne received his O. A. M. presented at Government House Sydney, overlooking the Harbour, by the Governor of N. S. W. Dame Marie Bashir. This was in recognition of his contribution to cricket administration and the development of junior sport in Deniliquin.

 (Above: 1. N. S. W. Governor Dame Marie Bashir centre, with Wayne’s sister Jill, wife Cheryl and mother Joan. 2. with Jill, Joan & Cheryl on Investiture Day.)

The article below courtesy of the Deniliquin Pastoral Times 12^th June 2007 by Nathan Holahan further lists his achievements some not previously mentioned.  

• He has been a delegate to the Riverina Zone since 1983 and an administrator since 1983.
• The 55 year-old was awarded life membership in 1993.
• He was the Deniliquin and District Cricket Association president from 1997 to 1999, the treasurer from 1979 to 1984 and 1985 to1997 and became a life member in 1992.
• Mr Bradley has been the treasurer of the Deniliquin Junior Cricket Association since 2002 and took on the role of administrator from 1974 to 2002.
• He was West Deniliquin Cricket Club president from 1980 to 1986 and from 1992 to 1994, the delegate to the Deniliquin Association from 1975 to 2000 and received life membership in 1990.
• The Edward School assistant principal was the Administrator of NSW Primary Schools Sports Association (Deniliquin Branch), for 11 years and was actively involved since 1975.
• He is an accredited lifesaving instructor and awards examiner with the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (NSW Branch), with which he has been involved since 1975.
• Mr Bradley is also a life member of the Deniliquin Junior Soccer Club where he served as secretary from 1985 to 1992.
• He was the Deniliquin Rovers Football Club secretary in 1985 and `86 and was the Edward River (Deniliquin) Junior Football League treasurer, club delegate, committee member and publicity officer and received life membership in 1995.
• Mr Bradley has taught at the Edward Public School since 1974 and colleagues report he has continuously contributed to the school’s Parents and Citizens Association.
• Other awards and recognition has included the Deniliquin Citizen of the Year in 1994, Sports Administrator of the Year for the Deniliquin Sports Council in 1994 and Distinguished Service Award for Royal Life Saving Society of Australia in 1990.

In 2010 he was pulled over again by police for a lapsed Rego. Not a bad record really….. 2 very minor breeches in 40 licensed years. Well done.

His biggest sin however was playing footy with brother Christopher in the loungeroom at “Mulloka” and breaking his mum’s two very expensive Ming vases. Guilt plagued both boys for decades.

On a lighter note, and also in 2010, Wayne was awarded a Life Membership of the Deniliquin District Primary Schools Sports Association (PSSA). Described below in another article also courtesy of the Deniliquin Pastoral Times on 3 December 2010.    

In 2011 as Assistant Principle of the Edward Public School, Wayne was further honoured with the naming of the very large and brand new school hall, to be used for assemblies and some classes, as “BRADLEY HALL”. Family, friends, teachers, past school captains and students were all invited to this very special day on 6th March 2011.

Later that year on 9^th September 2011 on his 60^th birthday, Wayne retired from teaching.

But that didn’t mean RETIRED….. just not full time teaching anymore, spending instead the next 10 years teaching casually in Deniliquin and at small district schools.

Forward to November 2025, Wayne became an inductee to the Murray Valley Cricket Association, Hall of Fame. His home club the Deni Rhino’s saying “His service is a powerful reminder that the Heart of our sport is not only found in runs and wickets, but also in the dedication of administrators, volunteers and leaders who help clubs and associations thrive.”    

To hear what Adam Gilchrist, pictured below with Wayne and son Anthony, had to say. CLICK HERE

Now, Wayne did say “I was never tempted to bowl  underarm” BUT that’s not quite true because in 2013 Wayne joined the Deniliquin R. S. L Bowls Club and has bowled underarm ever since (!!!), whilst also serving on Committee and as Secretary for the last 5 years. (2020-25)

(The Bradley’s, back L to R, Christopher, Scott, Wayne, middle L to R, Mandy, Robyn, Jill, front, mother of 6 Joan.)

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”

– Albert Pike