Unsung Heroes: Glenn Buck proudly bleeding blue since 1982

It’s no lie that Australians love their cricket, be it a short and sweet Twenty20 match or a five day Test, thousands will flock to grounds around the country to take part on and off the field.

But at the end of the day, what brings us all the together is the camaraderie of being a part of something — a club that feels like family and serves as your home away from home.

Here in Bunbury one of those lucky clubs is Marist Cricket Club, established in 1982, where bleeding blue for nearly 40 years is house manager Glenn Buck.

Affectionately known as Bucky, the 55-year-old has had a series of roles within the club throughout his time, but it all began where most do, as a player in the club’s inaugural B-grade team.

“When I played junior cricket, I went away with my first ever Marist Catholic College touring team,” he recalled fondly.

“We went to Sale in Victoria and me and a mate of mine, Dean Host, were the two babies of the group and then we come back from that carnival and Marist Cricket Club started.

“The following year, we put a first B-grade team in and I’ve been here since.”

Playing more than 700 games across all grades, and having 15 premierships to his name, the club stalwart has been actively involved in club life as the house manager for about 35 years, taking care of the Forrest Park pavilion and running the general operations of the facility from the candy bar to the cleaning.

On a wider scale, he also served on the Bunbury and Districts Cricket Association committee for about 15 years and is a proud association life member.

For the past five years, he has also taken on the roles of curator at Marist, on top of coaching teams and playing.

But what keeps him coming back is that strong sense of community and belonging at the club that he wouldn’t trade for the world.

“We’re a very unique club, it doesn’t matter if you’re an A-grader or an E-grader, we’re a very close club,” he said.

“They’re my family.

“Even now, after so long, it’s fantastic to see the new generation coming through and the kids that are now probably 25 or so who I looked after when they were juniors who are now pitching in and getting involved.”

He said the club had been beneficial not only for himself but for many involved, as an outlet to get through other difficulties in life.

“I think everyone needs to be involved in a sporting club, because so many people go through some tough times but you can get through them with clubs,” he said.

“My team now is basically made up of all 50-year-old boys who have been playing together now for probably 30 years and I’d be so lost without them, we’re each other’s best mates.”

One such trial for the beloved club veteran was a prostate cancer scare late last year from which he has now fully recovered.

Having to taking a step back from his responsibilities at the club for several months, he admitted it was a “difficult time” but was incredibly humbled by the support he received from the club.

“The hardest thing was actually doing nothing for six weeks,” he said.

“I needed to rest and it was good to sit on the couch but I really missed my mates and being involved because I pretty much live at the club, when I’m not at work it’s my home away from home so definitely missed it.

“But by far the best part was when I told everyone I had to have time off they all immediately put their hands up and said ‘I can do this, I can do that, we’ve got you covered’ ... it was actually really good and made me feel very appreciated and lucky.

“Hands down it’s the best part of any sporting club, your mates.”

Over his several decades with the club, he said his proudest achievement was the introduction of the women’s team — a team he was fortunate enough to coach to a premiership last season.

And what made it all the more sweeter was getting to share it with his two daughters, Zoe and Ebony.

“Women coming into sport is amazing,” he said.

“I often say that our club wouldn’t be the same now without without women, they do everything for us, and our girls here are just fantastic.”

Also a valued club member is Glenn’s wife Janine who has manned the club canteen for more than a decade and is a dedicated MCC life member.

Outside of cricket, Glenn is also heavily involved in the Carey Park Football Club, where he has been a devoted volunteer for the past five years — as a board member, bar manager and assistant coach for the women’s league team.

Giving more than 50 hours a week of his own time to the clubs, he said he hoped his devotion inspired others to get involved in their local clubs.

“My upbringing is through volunteering, my parents, grandparents even my wife’s parents were all in volunteering so I think it’s just ingrained in me,” he said.

“It’s just what I’ve always done, I don’t know any different ... I wake up every morning and think about cricket or footy or sport in general.

“I get so much out of it and the team here is just so wonderful I really wouldn’t trade them for anything.”