CASTERTON cricket identity, John Donegan, has been honoured with a place in the first Victorian Country Cricket League Hall of Fame inductees.

The Hamilton association boasts two representatives in the list, with Donegan joined by former long-serving president, Kevin Myers.

Both men enter the Hall of Fame as winners of the R.F. Merriman Service Medallion, which is awarded to one country volunteer administrator each year for “meritorious contributions to the conduct of VCCL programmes and competitions”.   

Myers was the recipient of the medal in 2007, while Donegan followed 12 months later, claiming the highest honour the VCCL bestows each year.

“I'm honoured that the Victorian Country Cricket League has seen fit to honour me in this inaugural group,” Donegan said.

Having been involved with cricket for the past 63 years, Donegan has a long history of playing and administering the sport, with his administration roles starting in 1966 with the Federal District Cricket Association, which he held until 1984 when he was transferred to Casterton for work.

He was elected as Casterton District Cricket Association president in 1990, a position he held until 2015 when the Casterton clubs joined the HDCA.

Donegan has been a member of the HDCA executive committee since 2001 and is a life member of the association.

“All the awards that I have received are largely a recognition of my administrative skills, (but) I like being with other people and I enjoy the company of my fellow members,” Donegan said.

“Awards for doing something that you like, are entirely unnecessary.”

Myers was overwhelmed with his induction, alongside Donegan.

“To think that Melbourne Country Week has been running for 100 years, and that of the thousands and thousands of players who played, not only in the tournament but also throughout country Victoria, it’s very humbling to be among the first to be recognised this way,” Myers said.

“I started playing the game in 1955 as a 13-year-old in the Mornington Peninsula Association B grade competition and made my Melbourne Country Week debut as a 16-year-old in the A grade section.”

His administration career started in 1986 when elected to the HDCA executive committee, which he then served on until he resigned as HDCA president in 2011.

He also served as the junior president for 10 years before his 11-year term as association president, along with his vast coaching career at club, association and region level.

“I couldn’t have done that I did in the game without the support of my wife, Maureen, and the rest of our family and I will be eternally grateful for that support,” Myers said.