Field of Dreams: Help is a habit that runs deep in the bush

They call it the Field of Dreams and the natural beauty of this cricket ground makes it a spectacular place to play. To Peter Thorn and his son Michael, this remote field is about helping their rural community stay connected in a healthy – and often hilarious – way. 

Once a denuded sheep paddock, the immaculate oval is perched amid tall timber in the shadow of the ancient Porongurup Range. Over the decades, players and spectators have gathered here from all around the district for friendly matches. Following his father’s lead, Michael is passionate about helping bring the community together through social cricket.

Help is a habit that runs deep in the bush. Michael says that people who grew up in rural areas help and reply on each other. “These communities do what they have to do to make things happen.”

Social cricket gives everyone a reason to come together and Michael insists no prior experience is necessary. An informal game – jam-packed with air swings, fumbles and friendly ribbings – in these breathtaking surroundings elevates the physical and mental health of players and spectators alike.

He says dedicated volunteers help to make it all happen. During a recent major revamp of the ground, Michael received donations of lawn seeds worth thousands of dollars, many hours of free labour and even irrigators on loan to finish the job.

Volunteers show up to help in unexpected ways, too. Local artisan George Corke spent days crafting a giant sculpture of timber wickets and a cricket ball as a surprise gift.  

Then there’s Mark Henson, who loves to help by organising and cooking barbecues. “That has been such a weight off my shoulders because catering was the thing that I wasn’t good at,” says Michael with a laugh. 

His team, the Porongurup Social Cricket Club, has just joined the district social competition. “We played the Muckrakers from Denmark yesterday and beat them and we’re playing the Swamp Rats next week at their Youngs Siding ground.”

But there’s no ground like the Field of Dreams. “You couldn’t find a more perfect place to play cricket,” adds Mark Wilde, a left-handed spin bowler and long-term president of the Swamp Rats.

After the last ball, a bonfire “that can be seen from space” is set alight, guitars, violins and harmonicas appear and the live music starts. “It marries very nicely with the kind of eccentric people that live here,” says Michael.

“It’s all about us getting round each other and supporting each other, and having a lot of fun,” says local Steve Grim.

Moments of Help photography is curated by World Press Photographer, Matthew Abbott. These images were captured by Sam Harris.