Few men had a greater love of the Randwick District Cricket Club than Wally Byrne. He began as a player and finished as President of the club, a position he held for seven years between 1952 and 1958.
Walter Leslie Byrne was born in Sydney on 10 August 1905 and joined Randwick in 1926-27 from the Centennial Park Junior Association as a 21 year old. He played in the 2nd Grade side taking out the batting average with 191 at 27.28 and was quickly promoted to 1st Grade where he impressed greatly as a wicket-keeper. The annual report that year contained the following comment: “Wally’s wicket-keeping was a big factor in our success and good judges predict a big future for this unassuming colt”.
