Cricket coach’s loyalty rewarded

Dave Millott epitomises loyalty. Mr Millott has devoted almost half a century to club cricket and for his dedication has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in recognition of his service to the sport.

He recollected over the years he was told he should have received an award for his effort.

“Someone actually nominated me; I feel proud and honoured to have received the acknowledgement.

“I don’t like showboating and I very much appreciate it,” he said.

Mr Millott has played cricket for 49 years with the Preston’s Hornets Cricket Club, served as a club secretary for 41 years and coached junior teams for more than two decades. Despite moving to Elderslie 30 years ago, he has remained fiercely loyal to the Hornets.

He began playing with the club in 1977, became its secretary in 1985 – a role he still holds – and was made a life member in 1991.

After marrying and starting a family of four daughters, Mr Millott settled in Elderslie. While several local cricket clubs were closer to home, his heart never left the Hornets.

“I’ve been commuting every cricket season from Elderslie to Liverpool,” he said.

“I’m fairly loyal.

“I’ve been in Elderslie for 30 years and I love it, but when you’ve put blood, sweat and tears into one club, it’s hard to start again.”

Mr Millott said he had seen clubs fold after key members moved on and was determined that wouldn’t happen at the Hornets.

Over the years, he has coached three Under 10 teams through to Under 16s. His first coaching cycle began in the 1980s, followed by a break before returning for a second stint. This season marks the end of what he expects will be his third and final coaching cycle.

“I’ve coached kids and then gone on to coach their children years later,” he said.

He has built strong relationships within the club and often referred to the teams he coached as “his boys”.

“I’m 63 now and I want to spend more time with my grandkids [two boys] – and maybe throw a ball around with them,” he said.

He also had a strong connection with Fairfield Liverpool Cricket Association first as a representative manager from 1981 to representative selector from 2013 to 2022 and as well as senior vice president from 2011-2022. He was awarded life membership in 2016.

Mr Millott’s commitment to grassroots sport extended beyond cricket. After moving to the Elderslie, he also became heavily involved in rugby league, starting with East Valley United Rugby League Football Club as a committee member and coach.

He later coached Under 6s and Under 18s at the Macquarie Cobras and then at Campbelltown City Kangaroos. He was also an assistant coach and selector for the Western Suburbs Junior Representative Rugby League Team for five years.

In 2020, Mr Millott was awarded the Officer of the Order of Liverpool in recognition of his broader contribution to sport and the community.

Dave Millott, coach of the Preston’s Hornets Cricket Club, received an OAM for service to sport.

From hardship to service

John Bicknell aged 87 had a hard start to life, but he thrived in his adopted country and has always been ready to lend a hand when needed.

Mr Bicknell has been recognised for his decades of contribution to community organisations and rural advocacy, receiving an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

“I am shocked. I never had any idea that people would be so interested,” he said.

From farming and firefighting to writing and mentoring, Mr Bicknell has immersed himself fully in every pursuit he has taken on.

For 55 years he ran an orchard at Lakesland. He also served with the Lakesland Fire Brigade for four decades, including three years as president. He has been a tireless advocate for farmers, helping to establish action groups and campaigning on issues such as water access.

Alongside his activism, he became a prolific letter writer to newspapers, using the forum to highlight challenges facing agriculture.

Mr Bicknell said his motivation came from a strong belief in fairness and his Christian faith.

“It was up to me to put things right,” he said.

His passion for justice extended beyond farming. He also spoke out about the experiences of British child migrants sent to Australia, determined to expose the reality behind promises of a better life.

Mr Bicknell was one of those children. Abandoned by both parents, he was sent to Australia with his brother and arrived at the boys’ home in Picton at the age of nine. When he was old enough to leave, he set about building a life of his own and has given back to the community tenfold.

“A lot of boys and girls who went through the system could not get over it,” he said.

Writing became a powerful outlet. His first book, The Dirty Bloody Jizzy, chronicled his experiences at the boys’ farm in Picton and proved a cathartic release. He later published Twelve Years in “Care”: A British Child Migrant’s Story, Birds N Words, Birds Are Intelligent, and other works. Self-published, he has delivered around 54 talks on his books and continues to enjoy the written word.

Life on the orchard brought its own challenges, including battling fires on his property and neighbouring farms. He said the local fire brigade was a vital asset in the area, where farmers often had to respond quickly in emergencies.

Beyond rural life, Mr Bicknell was a foundation member and soloist with the Macarthur Singers from 1977 to 1992 as well as other musical groups. He has also been deeply involved with the Wollondilly Anglican Church and other churches, and has mentored students at Picton High School for 18 years and Mount Annan High School for five years – a role he cherishes.

In 2024 he was named Senior Citizen of the Year at the Wollondilly Shire Council Australia Day Awards.

Mr Bicknell, a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, said he does not know who nominated him for the OAM, but he is deeply grateful for the recognition.

John Bicknell pictured in front some of his books is an OAM recipient.

Call to rename aerotropolis region after the late Dame Marie Bashir

Macarthur, MP, Dr Mike Freelander has reached out to the NSW Premier calling for the aerotropolis to be renamed in honour of Dame Marie Bashir who passed away January 20, 2026 at the age of 95.

Dame Marie Bashir was the 37th Governor of NSW for 14 years from 2001-2014 and as Dr Freelander described "...was an ornament of our state, who lived a life of service.

“From her incredible work as a child psychiatrist to being the first female Governor of NSW... Dame Marie was a remarkable person.

“I have made these representations to the NSW Government as I believe Dame Marie’s significant contribution to our state should be recognised for many generations to come, and so renaming this area of the aerotropolis to Bashir would achieve this.”

Dr Freelander said before service Dame Marie provided distinguished public health support through her work as child psychiatrist.

It was the then Berejiklian NSW Government in 2021 that selected the name Bradfield for the aerotropolis after Dr John Bradfield.

Dr Freelander acknowledged that Dr Bradfield was a remarkable engineer and left a tremendous mark on NSW, but he believes that Dr Bradfield already has several accolades. These include the Bradfield Highway, the electorate of Bradfield and Bradfield Senior College.

Further, as Western Sydney Airport is named after another significant female leader, the late Nancy Bird Walton, he believes it is appropriate to rename it reflect Dame Marie’s similar level of influence.

Dame Marie Bashir was the 37th Governor of NSW and former Chancellor at Sydney University. Photo Sydney University.