Farewell but not Goodbye - Chris Sullivan

Randwick Petersham Cricket Club | June 28, 2025

When the 2025-26 season opens for Randwick Petersham next September, it won’t be the same. It will feel something is missing. And there will be. A familiar face, which has been seen around Petersham and Coogee Ovals since he first stepped out with the old Petersham-Marrickville club 47 years ago. Christopher Edward Sullivan, affectionately known as “Fous”.

An icon of the club, particularly in terms of its social fabric, Chris decided to move house to Gulgong in regional NSW along with his brother Paul. It brought to an end a cricket club contribution as a player, administrator and volunteer which few could emulate. A dedicated, determined, hands-on worker with a fun-loving nature, “Fous” is one of the better-known personalities in Sydney cricket circles. And while Sydney may be losing the immediate presence of such a character, Gulgong is certain to enjoy an improved social scene.

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It all began when Chris joined Petersham-Marrickville as a 16-year-old in 1978-79. Working through the grades, he made his 1st Grade debut in 1983-84 at age 21. It was quite an historic moment as he joined his elder brothers, John and Steve, in the side—a rare occurrence in Sydney Grade Cricket for three siblings to compete in the same 1st XI team. It was also a memorable day for the family with the Sullivan parents, Mary and Noel, present at Petersham Oval to witness what was an emotional sporting occasion. It was also the first time they had seen the boys play cricket.

In 1985-86, Chris had his first full season in 1st Grade. It wasn’t an overly-successful season with only 202 runs, but it wasn’t helped by an injury he suffered––ironically inflicted by a member of his own family. Brother John had retired the previous season and had moved residence to Campbelltown where a new 1st Grade team had been admitted to the Sydney Grade Cricket competition. John was talked into joining the new outfit and in round 11, the clash between Campbelltown and Petersham-Marrickville saw the brothers on opposite sides. Chris as opening bat for Petes and John as opening bowler for Campbelltown.

Brother against brother meant little and within a short while, John had struck Chris a painful blow on the hand forcing him to leave the field. A hospital x-ray revealed Chris’ hand was broken. With nine down and 20 runs to get, Chris returned to the crease only to be struck a second time by John, but this time on the other hand. The result was that Campbelltown won the match by just 16 runs while Chris finished 4 not out……and with two broken hands!

In 1986-87, Chris had his best season in 1st Grade. He scored 525 runs including a brilliant 129 at Bankstown Oval against a Bankstown attack which included NSW fast bowler Wayne Holdsworth. Sullivan really hit his straps in 1989-90 against Campbelltown at Raby Oval. On that occasion, he and Bart Pozuelo put on a new 1st Grade club record of 244 for the first wicket with “Fous” scoring a career-best 133.

At the 1987 Petersham-Marrickville annual general meeting, Chris was elected to the Management Committee. This was the start of what was to be a long and valuable period of voluntary administration. He became one of the better fundraisers while his organisation and involvement with social functions was primarily responsible for maintaining harmony and friendship in a club environment continually under threat of amalgamation or dismissal. He was formally named Social Committee Chairman in 1991 while he took on greater responsibility when he was elected a club delegate to the Sydney Cricket Association in 1995 and Assistant Secretary in 2000, two roles in which he served through to 2001.

Chris continued as a player through to 1996-97 when at age 35, he played his last game in 5th Grade scoring 29. It was 18 years since he first pulled on the green Petes cap and he retired with an envious record of 5,181 runs in all grades and under 21 Poidevin-Gray, including 1,709 in 1st Grade. He scored six centuries–three of them in the top grade. In June 1997 the club formally recognised his outstanding contribution as a player and administrator with life membership.

When the merger with Randwick came about in 2001 Chris was in the thick of it all. He was heavily involved in the merger decision itself and became a member of the new club’s first Management Committee. He was an obvious choice to be Randwick Petersham’s first social director while he has also been heavily involved in the running of the club’s canteens, the “Legends” golf day and in the production of the club’s annual report—activities which he continues to perform to this day, some 24 years later.

As one of the club’s most dedicated and enthusiastic workers, in 2010-11 he was named Randwick Petersham Clubman of the Year and in 2021-22, he was the recipient of Mike Whitney’s The President’s Award for his significant contribution to the club.

In 2008, Chris assumed responsibility for organising a new annual club fund-raiser, the President’s Luncheon. Since then, it has grown to be not only the club’s premier social function attracting up to 250 guests at a prestigious venue, but one of the most eagerly sought-after cricket lunch events in Sydney each year. Chris’ contribution to this function let alone many others, has brought plaudits from the most discerning of guests including Test cricketers, senior administrators and Members of Parliament.

And as an indication that his commitment and dedication has waned little in his long association with the club, he was again elected in 2017 to the important and prominent position as Delegate to the Sydney Cricket Association, a position he continued until the end of the 2024-25 season.

Chris Sullivan is one of a kind. First to put up his hand when anything needed to be done, he has been the most devoted of individuals. In a voluntary administration career across Petersham-Marrickville and Randwick Petersham, he served on the Management Committee for 38 successive seasons–14 with the old Petes’ club and the past 24 with Randwick Petersham. He represented both clubs at the Sydney Cricket Association for a total of 16 seasons and was Assistant Secretary of Petersham-Marrickville for a year. And while he was a valuable and important contributor in those roles, it was in his position as Social Director Chairman across both clubs for the past 34 years, where he excelled. The harmonious and financially sound position of the Randwick Petersham club is in part, a reflection of the dedicated and untiring efforts of Chris Sullivan–an outstanding clubman in every sense.

In wishing Chris well for the future, we do so in the knowledge that he will not be lost to the club. He continues to be a member of the club’s supporter group “The Legends”, while distance is sure to be just a minor inconvenience whenever the club is hosting any major social event or cricket match.

Lyall Gardner OAM, Randwick Petersham Historian

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