Lorna Thomas
Lorna Thomas, c. 1973, from Scrapbook, 1973 compiled by Lorna ThomasScrap album MLMSS 7277/Box 3
Lorna Thomas retired as a cricketer in the late 1950s after a long career playing district and interstate matches.
She began playing cricket as a child in the 1920s and later played district matches for Annandale. She was selected for the NSW team in 1937.
In 1960 Lorna took up team management and went on to manage five international teams including four overseas tours. She was affectionately known as Auntie Lorna to many of the players.
In 1978, after almost a lifetime's involvement with women's cricket, she retired from her position as manager of the NSW and Australian teams. She was awarded an MBE for services to cricket and was made a life member of Women's Cricket Australia.
The State Library holds a significant collection of papers about women's cricket which was donated by Lornas Thomas. The collection includes annotated scrapbooks, correspondence, photographs, newscuttings and souvenirs. It is a fascinating record of the way women's cricket has developed over the second half of the twentieth century, and a lasting legacy to a woman who played an important role in the promotion of the sport.
> View selections from Lorna Thomas's scrapbook from 1936-1949
> View selections from Lorna Thomas's scrapbook commemorating the 1963 Australian tour of England
> View selections from Lorna Thomas's scrapbook kept during the 1973 World Cup
