Passing of Peter Coombs
We were saddened to hear the news of the recent passing of Peter Coombs. Peter served Mont Albert Cricket Club faithfully for more than sixty years as a player and administrator. We extend our deepdest condolences to Peter's family and the Mont Albert Cricket Club community. Below are tributes to Peter. We thank the Mont Albert Cricket Club for sharing. And for Richard Barker's personal reflection.
From Mont Albert Cricket Club
It is with the heaviest of hearts and great sadness that we inform you of the passing of life member Peter Coombs.
Peter Coombs on duty - scoring in his meticulous manner. Photo Supplied by Mont Albert Cricket Club.
Peter has been a cornerstone of the Mont Albert Cricket Club for more than 60 years, serving with distinction as both a player and volunteer. From the 1966/67 season through to 2004/05, Peter represented the Club in 359 matches, scoring 4,702 runs, taking 330 catches, effecting 134 stumpings, and claiming 83 wickets, along with two premierships - an extraordinary record of longevity, consistency, and commitment.
Beyond his playing career, Peter served the Club as Secretary for 7 years, Association Delegate for 12 years, and Treasurer for 2 years: always representing Mont Albert with quiet integrity and care, providing steady and reliable leadership.
Since retiring as a player, Peter continued to give back in the most selfless way - as a dedicated volunteer. Current players will know Peter best as our long-serving First XI scorer. Week after week, he meticulously recorded every run, wicket, and milestone with trademark neatness and precision. His quiet presence on match day was a constant, and his commitment never wavered.
In 2017, Peter’s contribution to Mont Albert Cricket Club was recognised by Cricket Victoria with a 50-year service award, presented at the Boxing Day Test.
Elected a Life Member in 1982, Peter embodied the true spirit of community cricket - humble, reliable, and unwavering in his service. His contribution spans generations, and his legacy will live on in the history of our Club.
Peter will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Peter’s family and friends during this difficult time.
From Richard Barker, Former President of the ECA and Mont Albert Cricket Club
I remember that Peter was Secretary of the Club when I joined as a 13yo callow youth, having been given his phone number by Arthur Marks who had coached us a few years previously, I gave him a call and he was very welcoming (in his own gruff way), I played my first game in the U14s the next Saturday morning.....
Peter Coombs was a much loved member of the Mont Albert Cricket Club community. Photo supplied by the club
Other memories were him driving me up to Woori Yallock in his old brown Datsum 180B for the annual match against them, Peter was Captain of the 3rds when I first started in Seniors and we were mostly playing 1st XIs from the strong Matting Clubs in A Matting, (AYC, STC, South Camb, Box Hill Dist etc) they had some pretty fast bowlers, it was terrifying and we did not win many games. Peter played in the 1st XI many years after this I think either when Steve Smith was captain or in Noel Kings early years, I think that stint ended when he broke a finger.
Peter would keep up to the stumps to anyone and many of his 134 stumpings would be off medium pacers or faster, he would keep in the nets (up to the stumps) for minimum a 30 mins each practice session (he probably learned this from Garney?)
Peter was a meticulous Cartographer and worked for years for the MMBW drawing Melbourne's underground services, he later worked for Vic Track mapping all of the railway reserve land the the state owned (so they could sell it probably), his meticulous penmanship transferred well to his scoring duties.
Peter in his own way made MACC a better place and earned the respect of everyone for his commitment, skill, gruff demeanour and above all love for the Club and the ECA Competition.
We will all miss him greatly.
