‘Richie’ replica jacket going under the hammer for medical research
9 June, 2018 
Australians are being invited to place their bid for a chance to take home a one-of-a-kind replica of Richie Benaud’s iconic jacket, complete with an original spare Channel 9 Wide World of Sports embroidered pocket.
John Cutler is a fourth-generation tailor who owns J.H. Cutler Bespoke Tailor in Sydney, a business established by his great-grandfather in 1884. When former Nine Network boss Kerry Packer founded the World Series Cricket, he commissioned John to come up with a jacket for Richie which was different to other commentators. John created the famous jacket, and it was written into Richie’s contract that John would make his jackets from then on.
Now a philanthropist, John will be generously donating his time and supreme tailoring skills to create a bespoke replica Richie Benaud jacket, which will be auctioned-off at the Centenary Institute’s Foundation Fundraising Dinner on Thursday 20th September 2018 at the Art Gallery of NSW.
The jacket will be made from the same fabric used to make one of Richie’s jackets, and will feature one of the original spare Channel 9 Wide World of Sports embroidered pockets. The successful bidder of the auction item will also receive a copy of John Cutler’s book “Making The Cut”, which details the story of the Benaud Commission.
HOW TO BID:
The Centenary Institute welcomes any interest or bids in the lead-up to the auction on Thursday 20th September. We encourage any interested parties to join us at the Fundraising Dinner (tickets can be purchased here) or contact Centenary on (02) 9565 6100, asking for Sarah Ferguson. Telephone bids can also be taken on the evening.
The aim of the Centenary Institute Foundation Fundraising Dinner is to raise $250,000 to support our most precious asset – our brilliant scientists – through the provision of annual fellowships so they can further their research and become our Future Leaders. Our work focuses on inflammation, cardiovascular disease and cancer, including skin cancer which sadly claimed Richie’s life in April 2015.
Read the full media release.
Check out the interview with John Cutler on Sydney’s number one radio station 2GB 873.
