The Simpsons: A Miracle in Marrickville

PL on Bob Simpson's roots and recognition

Everyone on this plaque gets their own plaque on the walk of honour at the park where they plan to build a further memorial to Bob Simpson

Once upon a time, before Albo and before craft breweries, should the topic of Marrickville arise, people would nominate Jeff “The Marrickville Mauler” Fenech as its most famous resident. While I didn’t disagree that the pugilist was a significant former resident and an appropriate representative of its working class streets, I always thought the suburb had missed a trick in not associating itself more with Australian Test captain and coach, Bob Simpson, who was born and learned the game there.

After all, as has been often noted this week, few have had more influence on Australian cricket than this uncompromising son of Scottish immigrants.

I started chatting to Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne about putting a plaque on the family home or renaming Marrickville Park at least 10 years ago, and while we talked a good game, we got nothing done.

Tuesday’s Inner West council meeting was a lively affair as the local government and residents debated moves to alleviate the housing crisis through building more high rise, passionate about the removal of a tree on a street somwhere in Leichhardt, and somewhat more respectful when it came to talk of the suggestion of a Solidarity Crossing in support of the transgender community. That ticked off three of the 66 items on the agenda in the public forum.

I’d tuned in to hear the condolence motions, which included this proposal from the Mayor.

1. That Council write to the family of Bob Simpson to express our gratitude for the contribution he made to the Inner West, the Marrickville and Petersham Cricket Clubs and Australian Cricket.

2. That Council work with the Simpson family to create a permanent memorial to Bob at Marrickville Oval where he first debuted as a grade cricketer when just a teenager and to install a commemorative plaque at his boyhood home in Marrickville.