The Aitkens of Rosebud West Vic Aust Cr Celi and Community Renewal Tragedy and Triumph

Cr Antonella Celi was chairperson of the Rosebud West Renewal Project so there is no doubt she would have known the Aitken family very well. She would have been very busy and this might explain why she did not mention the triumphs and tragedies in relation to this Rosebud West family. The surname is well known to Carlton Football Club supporters, the son having inherited his father's ability. One of the articles on the Blues' website is headed OVERCOMING ADVERSITY which could have equally suited the article about the mother of the founder of VIC CRICK who still managed to contribute to the renewal project while being a full-time carer for her husband.

LOCAL cricket is mourning the loss of one of its greatest players, Ian Aitken, who died last Friday after a long illness.
Aitken, 70, captured 545 wickets with Red Hill after joining the club as a 40-year old. As a young man he played in the Bendigo and District Cricket Association (BDCA), earning a reputation as a champion fast bowler and capable batsman. In 2004, Aitken was inducted into the BDCA Hall of Fame.
Friend Roger Spaull said Aitken was a great cricketer and man.
‘‘He was regarded as one of the greatest cricketers to play Country Week cricket,’’ he said.
‘‘He was a beautiful seam bowler who could make the ball move. It’s an old expression but he could actually make it talk. Some days he was unplayable.’’
Aitken was vice-principal at Eastbourne Primary School for many years and lived at Rosebud West.
A funeral will be held at the Red Hill Cricket Club on Friday.

Juanita could have felt sorry for herself and moped. When I saw the following article she was only too willing to help me with my historical research but warned me that there would be interruptions because of her husband's affliction. It was an honour to shake the great man's hand, as it was to shake the hand of the BONEO BRADMAN.

ISSUU - February 1st 2011 by Mornington Peninsula News Group
issuu.com/westernportnews/docs/wpn_feb1st_2011/1‎
Feb 1, 2011 - Citizen of the year Juanita Aitken has been an active member of Rosebud and Rosebud West communities for more than three decades after