Blackburn Cricket Club

Hi All

Just letting you know how a drama involving our very own Reggie Kunst and Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has played out over the last month or so. The story starts with Reggie missing a phone call off a private number whilst at work, I think the following emails which Reg receives, then sends gives you a pretty good background as to what happened:-

"Dear Regan, Recently, you would have received a call (or message) from someone within Australian Cricket to say ‘Thank You’ for your contribution to cricket.

The phone call was a part of Australian Cricket’s Volunteer Recognition Day and one way to thank the many people who help strive for our vision: Cricket - Australia’s Favourite Sport!

As part of the review of Volunteer Recognition Day, I would be interested to gain your feedback on the phone call to recognise your contribution to cricket. Please feel free to contact me by return email or on the details below.

All the best for the remainder of the season.

Regards,

MATTHEW BETSEY | Volunteers Manager Cricket Australia | 60 Jolimont St | Jolimont Victoria 3002"

Reg then replies:-

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for the email, I will give some feedback in a story form.

I am at work, carrying some objects I can’t remember what now, and the phone rang, I actually went to put my load down, but regretfully decided to let this one go to message bank. When I finished what I was doing I check the missed call and to my astonishment it was from Mitchell Johnson from Western Australia calling me on behalf of Australian Cricket’s Volunteer Recognition Day................... I replayed it, to make sure I heard it correctly.

Then I thought someone was having a lend of me at work, so I started asking around who was pulling the prank, and then everyone else was intrigued by this phone call, and replayed it over and over and over to anyone that wanted to listen. We all came to the conclusion it was Mitchell Johnson, he has a very recognisable voice, and it was very genuine.

Now to say I was (and my work mates) humbled and proud to be contacted by the Australian Fast Bowler Mitchell Johnson is an understatement. I felt a million dollars and very very special, that with all the work that every one in our great nation does for Australia’s Favourite Sport! - that Cricket Australia and Mitchell took the time to recognise my efforts in achieving our vision. This gives me all the inspiration and energy to keep moving forward and striving for more. Thanks

The only downside to a wonderful gesture is that every time my phone rings now with an Unknown number I secretly hope it is Mitchell calling back, (my work mates have great fun reminding me to answer all calls just in case). I will get over it though, lol.

Keep up the great work Matthew and Cricket Australia, its initiatives like this that keeps Cricket in the hearts and minds of Australians, especially mine. Thanks so much again

Reggie Kunst

On the 4th of January 2012 I was contacted by Cricket Australia asking if I could 'tee up' Reggie for a surprise meeting with Mitch. We lured Reggie there believing that Cricket Australia wanted to pick our brains on the formula that we use to make our in2cricket and junior programs so successful.
Reggie was more than keen to take part in the meeting.
Last night being the 10th of January 2012, we arrived at the Como Hotel, and were greeted by Briana from Cricket Australia. She engaged Reggie and he loved every minute of the conversation which involved talking about our strategies regarding our in2cricket and Junior Programs.
Briana did a great job, Mitch was running late due to a Doctors appointment, the conversation was flowing, at one stage Reg even mentioned the missed call he received from Mitch, then at about 8.45pm Mitch walked in tapped Reggie on the shoulder and said something along the lines of "Reggie is it?" to which Reg bounced out of his seat and said "Bugger me!" or words to that effect!!!! The boys then shook hands. Reggie then asked how his shoulder was, not realising the moon boot was on his foot for a reason!!! (his shoulder is fine, he had just had an operation on his achilles)
The Herald Sun and Cricket Australia TV where there and captured the whole ordeal, and after Mitch signed some shirts and caps for Reg and some photos were taken, Mitch kindly sat down with us and talked cricket for about 1 and half hours.
We then left and the whole way home in the car Reggie giggled like an excited little school kid.
It was a great experience and excellent recognition for a great volunteer for our club. Cricket Australia were tremendous and it was an outstanding gesture on their behalf.
Video will soon be on the Cricket Australia Website, and there should be an article in the Herald Sun tomorrow being Thursday the 12th.
Photos will be uploaded to the website in due course.
Once again well done Reggie on all the hard work you have put in, hopefully this gives you and other volunteers at our great club recognition that the work that is getting done around our club is noticed not only by our members but also external stakeholders such as Cricket Australia.

Brad Byrnes - President.

VIDEO: Mitchell's surprise

Hearld Sun Photo

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