DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER
WEEK 47 2021
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Wests Panthers’ stars of the 1970s, Geoff Richardson, Greg Oliphant, Richie Twist, Bob Green and John Young attend a Brisbane Rugby League gathering at Norths Kallangur Leagues Club. The function is organised by former Test forward, David Wright, with the likes of Allan Nunan, Des Morris, John Lang, Johnny Smith, Reg Cannon, Len Dittmar, Peter Affleck, Joe Canavan, Bob Jones, Alan Beauchamp, Errol Stock and George Doniger also in attendance. Twist and Young were the centre of attention, to some degree, because they have not been seen at previous functions. Former Valleys’ centre, Ron Gurnett is a director at Kallangur, which is part of former Test winger, John Ribot’s club empire. The club, thanks to ‘Ribes’ provided food and a round of drinks.
I would have loved to have been there, but my wife and I are having an early Christmas get-together with family, on Magnetic Island in North Queensland. After a walk to Geoffrey Bay, Marie and I have a drink at Arcadia pub, where a grumpy old bloke asks me where I am from. When I reply ‘Brisbane’, he says: “How did you escape?”
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Rugby Union men, Murray Fuller and Scobie Baisley and I have a great chat, while lolling about in the waters of Picnic Bay. Murray, who owns Territory Weed Management in the Northern Territory, owns a house on the nearby headland. Scobie is a farmer from just outside Clifton, on the Southern Darling Downs. Murray, who has relatives who have played under-21 rugby union for Australia, loves Wallaby five eighth, Quade Cooper. I describe Cooper as a poor man’s Benji Marshall. Murray had a brother who fed stories to former Courier-Mail rugby writer, Frank O’Callaghan. Murray also recalls the English Rugby Union team’s visit to North Queensland in 1975, when the locals organised a day on reef. Of course, many of the English players got sun burnt, and when they played Qld Country in Townsville, it was agony to make a tackle or to be tackled. The Poms still won.
Marie and I have transferred from Alma Bay to Picnic Bay, for quiet time, after the grandkids. Our transfer driver (from the real estate people) was a lass from North West Spain, who has been here since 2019. We have dinner at Mamma Roma. Back in Brisbane, it is the wettest November day in 40 years.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24
A helicopter is required for road works on the hill, which separates Picnic Bay from Nelly Beach. Marie and I walk to Hawking’s Lookout on a marked track, but bush bash our way back to Picnic Bay. The frangipani trees are beautiful. After another delightful swim, Marie and I adjourn to the Picnic Bay Pub, and, wouldn’t you know it, we bump into Murray and Scobie, as well as a delightful Irishman from Galway. The Irishman refers to the Barrett family from County Meath and their involvement with Gaelic football. He asks if there is ‘good Craic’ in rugby league centres like Warrington and Hull.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25
The driver of our bus from Picnic Bay to the ferry terminal says $2 million has been raised in 30 years of cane toad racing at the Arcadia Pub. He should know, as he donates some of the toads. Back Packers love the event. As kids, when we saw toads ‘racing’, we would get out the golf clubs.
Ships in port as we enter Townsville Harbour include Elandra Fjord and Dream Sky. Our shuttle driver to the airport points out where a dairy farm once operated and also the former locale of Chinese market gardens. There is one other passenger – ‘Mr Boston’ from Nellie Bay, who is on his way to Cloncurry, for a building project. Indigenous lads in Broncos, Storm and (Townsville) Blackhawks gear, are among those at the airport terminal. Our Qantas pilot is Tim Tucker. In Brisbane, police are out in force for the arrival of an inter-state flight. Our taxi driver from Brisbane Airport to Grange is African.
A wake for noted Courier-Mail journalist, Brian ‘Bunger’ Johnstone, is held at Windsor Bowls Club.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26
New Zealander, Gary Owen shouts his fellow drinkers – me included – a beer, after winning $500 in a promotion at Stafford Tavern. Owen played rugby league for Auckland club, Mangere East. I am reliably informed, former Broncos’ media man, Trad McLean has landed the Dolphins’ role. The Dolphins first signing is Felise Kaufusi, from Melbourne Storm, but originally from Bundaberg.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27
One of our neighbours, former Broncos’ hooker, John Driscoll said he suffered concussion at least 30 times during his playing career. John, a Rockhampton lad, says another former Bronco, Sid Domic, has moved back to the Central Queensland city to live. Former Redcliffe coach, Ross O’Reilly now has a farm in the CQ region. Driscoll went to Emmaus College in Rockhampton and played first grade for ‘Rocky’ Brothers when just 16. His coach was Rob Crowe, who was fullback for the Queensland Residents’ side in 1988, on their tour of New Zealand, which I covered for ‘The Courier-Mail’.
Marie and I enjoy a lovely night at Derek and Margaret Barea’s place, at Bridgeman Downs, with other members of the long standing ‘Playgroup’ ladies (and their men).
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28
University rugby league is on the comeback trail in the UK, after Covid, with regional titles at University of Birmingham.
A rabbit trapper tells ABC’s ‘Macca’ (Ian McNamara) that newspapers are no longer available in Mount Isa and Cloncurry. Surely that can’t be right
About Author
