This photograph of the Victorian team comes from the collection of Ida Hughes (née Harding), who represented her state at the All Australian Women’s Basket Ball Association tournament held in Brisbane from August 26 to 31 in 1946. From left, the squad is Jean Cowan (captain), Myrtle Craddock, Winifred McKenzie, Lyn McNeil, Ida Harding, Valda Johnston, Betty James, Alice Murray, Eunice Gill, and Lorna Hornig. Anne Henderson, not pictured, was the Coach of the team.
Five states competed at the tournament, which was resuming after a six year hiatus due to World War II. At the carnival, the undefeated Victorian and South Australian teams became joint winners of the Elix Trophy, after they tied their game in the round robin series at 18 goals apiece. Despite the fact that all matches were played on grass courts throughout the tournament, the press highlighted that this game "provided a colourful spectacle of flashing passing, classical catching, and aerial work of the highest order".
According to Ida’s souvenir program, the hectic carnival week was full of activities and social engagements, including a radio broadcast featuring the five state captains, a civic reception, a visit to Parliament House and the Botanical Gardens, a boat trip to Mandalay, an excursion to the Peters’ Ice Cream Factory, a night at the cinema, and a farewell dinner.
The tournament itself concluded with a match between those players selected to represent Australia and those designated as ‘The Rest’. Four Victorians were picked for the national team and three for ‘The Rest’, the latter including Ida as the goalie. Australia defeated ‘The Rest’, 23 to 16.
Ida was later awarded Life Membership of the Victorian Women’s Basketball Association (now known as Netball Victoria) in 1959. Special thanks to Ida and her daughter, Margaret Phillips, for sharing their family memorabilia, and to Richelle McKenzie, President of the Board of Netball Victoria, who conducted an interview with Ida in September 2019.
