PAUL FRAME (1947-2021, SUCC 1968-71)
Paul Frame joined SUCC in 1968 in the final year of his Science degree, having already spent two seasons at Waverley, where he showed early promise in his first year including what was to be his top score in Sydney Grade cricket with 109 not out, and a season aggregate of 372 runs at an average of 31. The 67/68 season at Waverley was less productive with 14 innings yielding only 133 runs @ 10, and only one wicket. Earlier he had attended Vaucluse Boys’ High.
So, he turned to new pastures at Uni, where he spent 3 seasons, primarily as an attacking batsman, both as opener and middle order, but also a useful leg-spinner. He was an outstanding fieldsman, with sure hands up close, and piercing throw from covers or similar, a skill further honed during winter with SU Baseball Club, a common combination for cricketers in those days before the baseball comp switched to summer. Ahead of his time, he was active vocally and clapping to exhort extra effort, perhaps a trait developed on the baseball field.
He oscillated between grades in 68/69, scoring well in 2nds (247 runs @ 35), but in 1sts his 9 innings accumulated only 120 runs. However, against Wests, Paul scored 75 and shared a match winning 147 partnership for the 8th wicket with Rick Lee (who scored 104) against a first-class attack including some and perhaps all of Corling, Rhodes, Gilmour and Simpson. Paul opened the SUCC batting on the legendary IV tour to Hobart, and joined the post-match drive to see Lake Pedder before it was flooded.
Similarly, in 69/70, some strong performances in 2nds included a top score of 94, but promotion yielded only 45 runs from 8 innings. However, he did collect 4-66 versus Gordon, his best bowling performance for the Club. The same pattern occurred in his final season with the club (394 @43 in 2nds, but only 104 from 6 innings in 1sts). He was also a member of the committee in 70/71.
His friendly grin, quips, and keen enthusiasm during and after the game are well remembered (together with his lovely girlfriend Julie, later to become his wife, albeit their marriage did not last).
In those days, only the captain was able to play for SUCC more than 2 years after graduation. So, in 71/72, he transferred to North Sydney, where he scored 367 @23.
Queensland’s sunshine attracted him north, as well as work, plus beloved mangoes (of which it is said he ate so many while picking during a work holiday that he developed an allergy).
In 1972, he joined University of Queensland CC, where his 39 first grade matches yielded 999 runs @ 30, plus 9 wickets @ 12. His highest score was 170, which he made during a club 1st grade record partnership for the 3rd wicket of 230 with John Buchanan, who later became Australia’s coach. Overall, he had 5 seasons with UQCC, where he also tallied 577 runs in 22 innings in second grade.
In 1978, he was awarded an MBA by the University of Queensland. In addition he obtained a Graduate Diploma in Education by correspondence from the University of South Australia. In 1979, his career took on an international focus, by joining the World Bank and later the United Nations, working in areas of education, commerce and mining. His assignments included stints in UK, Jamaica, Indonesia and United Arab Emirates.
Over the last few years we have been informed “Paul had a long and stoic battle with a number of debilitating health issues. He died in hospital in Darwin (in October 2021, aged 74), surrounded by his loving family and his devoted and loving wife, Yanti”.
Peter James