Friday, 26th July 2019

Photo: Dean Andrewartha, on left (1972 – 1999) and Michael Fulton (1973 -1999)

Twenty years ago, the Kilsyth Cricket and Football Clubs, together with the Andrewartha and Fulton families, received the heartbreaking news of the tragic loss of Dean Andrewartha and Michael Fulton in the Swiss canyoning disaster, which occurred on 27th July, 1999.
Only aged 26 and 27 respectively, Michael and Dean were on holiday when their lives were so unexpectedly cut short.

Both “Deano” and “Fults” were fine cricketers who had also played the occasional game of football with Kilsyth Football Club and were keen footy supporters. Both played in Kilsyth Cricket Club’s last First XI premiership in 1993/94 and were honoured as Life Members of the Club posthumously.

Michael was the First XI’s wicket keeper and Dean its opening batsman. They arrived at the Club within a fortnight of each other in 1983, successfully playing in the juniors before moving into the senior ranks.

Dean Andrewartha played 137 senior games (78 in the 1st XI) and scored 3,042 senior runs including 3 centuries (highest score of 130) and took 27 wickets (best bowling 4/9). In the juniors he played 31 games tallying 580 runs (highest score 55 not out), and captured 112 wickets (best bowling 7/17). Deano played in 3 premierships (1st XI A1 Grade in 1993/94, Second XI Chandler 2 Grade 1994/95 and Under 14-1 1985/86). In the juniors Deano won U12, U14 & U16 bowling averages, and an U14 batting average. He was Treasurer for two seasons in 1996/97 and 1997/98 and a Committee Member in 1998/99 and 1999.

Michael Fulton played 101 senior games (65 in the 1st XI) and took 152 catches and 21 stumpings in the seniors as well as scoring 1,003 runs with a highest score of 59. In the juniors he played 50 games tallying 612 runs (highest score 104), and took 20 wickets (best bowling 4/7). Fults played in 5 premierships (1st XI A1 Grade in 1993/94, Fourth XI A4 Grade 1989/90, O Grade (One Day) 1997/98, Under 12-1 1984/85 and U16-3 1987/88). Michael won an U12 bowling average, and U14 & 2nd XI batting averages. He was also U14 Assistant Team Manager in 1989/90.

Both Dean and Michael are still sadly missed and we honour them with this post.