Cricket Far North: Unveiling the many hats of ‘cricket tragic’ Julian Warnock: CFN’s lifetime honoree
A man who has worn just about every hat available, Julian Warnock has now added a new title to his long list of roles after being awarded Cricket Far North life membership.
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A ‘cricket tragic’ who has worn just about every hat available, Julian Warnock has now added a new title to his long list of roles after being awarded Cricket Far North life membership.
Warnock, 69, has done a tremendous amount of work in and around the local cricket pitches.
He has served as a coach for hundreds of junior cricketers, a CFN committee member, a secretary under former CFN president Kev Maher when he ran the show, before eventually becoming CFN president for three seasons (between 2020-2022).
He has also been regional co-ordinator and president of the umpires association for a number of years.
Julian Warnock said he was lost for words when awarded his badge.
“I was clueless,” he said.
“We had our annual AGM and my two sons and my granddaughter were there which I thought was a bit unusual.
“I was blown away when they told me the news, I wasn’t prepared for it at all. It was a great surprise and it was a bit emotional having my two boys and granddaughter there.
“I have wonderful support from my family, my wife and I’ve enjoyed watching my two kids in the game as well.
“All the friendships you develop and the acquaintances that you have across all of the clubs, across the whole of North Queensland and the state.
“It’s just a big sporting family that encompasses the whole state.”
A distant relative of Sir Don Bradman himself, cricket runs rampant through the Warnock family’s veins.
North’s gun batsman and Julian Warnock’s son, Angus Warnock, said his father deserved the honour for his years of service to the local community.
“Growing up he was always a mad cricket fan,” Angus Warnock said.
“He’s just passionate for helping players, especially when I was coming through junior ranks.
“Always helping out young players, pushing them from third grade to second grade to first grade.
“He loves the camaraderie with players and even as an umpire, he is a competitor and loves a good battle.
“Even now, he’s always around with a helping hand.”
Born in the UK, he moved to Australia in his early years, eventually settling in Babinda. Cricket played a key part in his life from the get-go, inspired by the likes of the Dennis Lillee, Merv Hughes, Allan Border and his father, who formed and captained a cricket team in Mirriwinni.
Attending boarding school at Ipswich Grammar, he became deeply entrenched in the sport that would become his lifelong passion.
Warnock represented the ARCC and Colts during his playing career, taking a break before putting the pads back on and captaining Norths’ third-grade side in 2004, scoring a ton in the division’s debut season before later winning player of the year.
Warnock cited Far North Fusion winning the 2022-2023 Bulls Masters Country Challenge while president of Cricket Far North as a career highlight, particularly as his son Angus played in the premiership side.
“To see our representative teams do really well is a source of great pride and full credit goes to the dedication of the coaches and players,” Warnock said.
He has been heavily involved with Norths cricket club as well as a coach representative teams across numerous age groups with coaching and administration. The stalwart continues to push the progression of women’s cricket in the Far North as well as the various veterans’ comps around the region.
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Originally published as Cricket Far North: Unveiling the many hats of ‘cricket tragic’ Julian Warnock: CFN’s lifetime honoree
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