L to R - Mac Chambers, Vic Cristofani and Hartley Anderson

VICTOR ATHOL CRISTOFANI died 11 January 2025, aged 93, on the same day as the first day of the 1st Grade game between Sydney University and St George at Hurstville Oval for the O'Keeffe/O'Sullivan trophy. Vic had played most of his 1st Grade career with Sydney University and St George. He began in Green Shield for St George in 1944-45, aged 13, and went on to captain the St George Green Shield side of 1946-47.

There are now only five former SUCC players aged in their nineties or more:

Bert Alderson, who turned 100 in December 2024.

Donald Scott-Orr, 94

Trevor Mitchell, 92

Saxon White, 90

and Graham Reed, 90

Vic's older brother, DR (Bob) Cristofani (1920-2002) whose obituary appeared in the SUCC Annual Report of 2002-03, had played Green Shield for St George in 1937-38 before making his 1st Grade debut for St George in 1940-41 (1st Grade cap no115). He played 18 first class games (749 runs and 48 wickets) for NSW before and after the war and for the Australian Services team after the war. He had served in the RAAF as a pilot, flying Beaufighters.

Both Bob and Vic were educated at Sydney High School. Both bowled leg spinners and both were dashing middle order batsmen. Both began studies after the war at Sydney University and both played 1st Grade for SUCC (Bob SUCC 1st Grade cap no363; Vic 1st Grade cap no374) Bob also captained University's 1st Grade (SUCC 1948-52. 735 runs and 103 wickets) while Vic's batting was often decisive in low-scoring games(SUCC 1949-52. 639 runs and 6 wickets).

Both then returned to St George after graduation for the 1952-53 season (Vic was St George 1st Grade cap no167) when St George won the 1st Grade premiership.

For St George in 1st and 2nd Grades, Vic scored over 4500 runs and took over 100 wickets.

Vic had a long and decorated career, with St George until 1954-55, then Western Suburbs 1955-61 before returning to the strong St George sides from 1961. When he was transferred by the ABC to Adelaide, he played for West Torrens. In October 1975, aged 44, he was quite remarkably recalled to the West Torrens 1st Grade side. When he moved to Canberra, he initially represented Western District.

From 1993 to 2003, Vic was President of the ANU Cricket Club, where he played and coached, and was made a Life Member of ANU and ACT Cricket. His coaching the City Club, ANU and Daramalan College was precise, exact and filled with long experience and innovative theories.

Cricket ACT posted a comprehensive obituary when Vic died:

"Vic's memory will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know him and in the continued success of the players and clubs he so passionately supported."

SUCC stalwarts, Hartley Anderson and Mac Chambers, visited Vic at Glenhaven Aged Care Facility during 2024 and reported that he was alert, engaging and keen to hear news of SUCC.

Vic's funeral took place on Saturday 18 January which was to have been the second day of the 1st Grade match (washed out) between St George and Sydney University.

Vic's wife, Margaret pre-deceased him.

The Club's sincere sympathies are extended to his sons and daughters in law: Janice, Gregory, Kathryn and Paul.

JFR