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Join Richard Cashman, and the Royal Australian Historical Society, as he explores an iconic Australian cricket personality. Yabba (Stephen Harold Gascoigne) grew up in the slums of Glebe to become one of the great characters of Australian cricket. He was a genuine talent, a wit, an actor and a crafter of words, who called out clever comments at appropriate times. He had the asset of a gravelly booming voice. Yabba’s story is about how an uneducated working-class man thrust himself forward to become a celebrated barracker and much-loved entertainer. Although he died in 1942, his reputation has continued and he was immortalised in bronze at the SCG in 2008. He is the only spectator who has achieved this unique honour.

Richard Cashman taught history at the University of New South Wales before moving to the University of Technology Sydney. He has written a history of Australian Sport, Paradise of Sport (2010), and a number of cricket books including a biography of the Demon Spofforth. He has co-authored a two-volume history of Marrickville. He is the Manager of Walla Walla Press.

When: Wednesday 3 August 2016, 1:00-2:00pm
Where: History House
133 Macquarie Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Cost: Free
Contact: history@rahs.org.au or 02 9247 8001

Reserve your place now.