Anzac Day, Koh Samui
MONDAY, APRIL 25
The Windsor service, in Brisbane’s inner North, is the place of pilgrimage for my wife, Marie and I on Australia’s most sacred of national days – Anzac Day. Former Bronco, John Driscoll is there with his son, who is a scout, and has been involved in setting up things for the day. Our son-in-law, Greg Mariotto (ex-Royal Australian Navy); his wife, Melanie and their neighbour, Brent (an Aussie, Afghan campaign veteran) attend beach service on Koh Samui.
St George Illawarra hang on for a gutsy 14-12 win over the Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground in the NRL. There are lots of injuries. Melbourne Storm run amok in the second half to belt New Zealand Warriors 70-10 in Melbourne, to retain the Michael Moore Trophy, named after the former Storm football manager, and ex-Brisbane Brothers’ player, who died in a mishap in Auckland. The Australian Defence Forces beat a Turkish selection 26-6 in a special league match
Former Queensland forward, Tom Duggan features in an interview with The Queensland Times (Ipswich) journalist, Michael Nunn. Tom, a product of South Burnett football, is a Vietnam Vet.
Courier-Mail columnist, Peter Gleeson speculates on dual rugby international, and current coach of Rugby Union’s Reds, Brad Thorn, taking on the Broncos’ coaching job.
TUESDAY, APRIL 26
My former Murwillumbah High classmate, Andrew Clarke is researching the family tree, and says there is a Ricketts in the bloodline. A great great grandmother’s maiden name was Love, and she married Walter Lee Ricketts. Andrew says his son-in-law’s parents dairy farm in the Manning Valley of New South Wales, was hard hit by flooding. I lived in something of a shack in the Manning Valley, when I played rugby league for Wingham Tigers in 1975. It was located on a property on the fringes of Taree, and I shared it with Malcolm, a bread vendor from W R Ruff and Sons.
Former Queensland Residents’ winger, Gerard Kerr recalls the match against Great Britain, in Townsville in 1992, when English halfback, Andy Gregory called one of the Queensland players a “convict bastard”. The Queenslander happened to be Indigenous.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27
Former Queensland prop, Martin Lang says the Gold Coast Titans pack wouldn’t bruise a grape. Marie’s teenage nephew, Jed Arnot, is in the Titans’ system. He plays for Marist Brothers in Lismore. Nudgee College Open Day is advertised on Webster Road, Stafford. Our two sons, Damien and Lliam attended Nudgee.
THURSDAY, APRIL 28
The subject of Rugby League’s next ‘Immortals’ comes up on RadioSEN, and Ian Healy, Pat Welsh and Mark Braybrook all mention Allan ‘Alfie’ Langer, while Braybrook also mentions Gene Miles.
Marie and I attend Broncos v Cronulla match at Suncorp Stadium after dinner at Mr Wong’s. Former Toowoomba, Brisbane Wests and Queensland Residents’ fullback, Brett Schultz says hello, in Members’ Bar at the Stadium. He works for Savills (real estate). A new grandstand is to be built at Bellevue, the home ground of famous English club, Wakefield Trinity. The club will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2023. I have been to one match there – v Leeds, which I watched from the terraces, which seems to be the area where most fans go. The current, wooden grandstand, is usually one third full, at best. Trinity has boasted many famous players, including Gerry Round, Neil Fox, Derek ‘Rocky’ Turner and Australians, Wally Lewis and Ray Price. The bus trip home from Suncorp Stadium is interesting. Two young girls are aspiring actors, I think, and talk incessantly. “Sometimes people wake up and they are not miserable, and they are looking to today,” one says. That is so deep and meaningful. There are also lots of swear words, and one of bright young lasses says: “Animals are not a food source.” Marie and I get off the bus, just in time.
FRIDAY, APRIL 29
Penrith halfback, Nathan Cleary goes into the grandstand to see wheelchair bound fan, Marshall Bamberry, after Penrith 18-4 win in a mistake riddled game against Gold Coast at Robina. Penrith become the first team in (Sydney) premiership history to open consecutive seasons with an 8-0 record.
Neil Raward, a prolific letter writer to The Courier-Mail (an ex-policeman) has died, aged 79. I have often wondered whether he is a Raward from the Murwillumbah menswear shop, Raward and Jays, where I bought many of my clothes, back in the early 1970s.
SATURDAY, APRIL 30
Wigan carve out a big win away over Warrington, with halfback, Harry Smith in great touch. Young centre, Mathieu Laguerre, scores three tries in Catalans’ Dragons’ win over Castleford. Lagueree is a product of Albi Rugby League.
Next door neighbour’s dog barks non-stop, and when I yell ‘shut up’, the female owner yells: “It’s allowed to bark”. Of course it is, but a line in the sand has to be drawn when that barking goes on, and on, and on…
Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors game at Redcliffe is rubbish. Warriors win in Golden Point. North Sydney’s Roosters’ contracted winger, Vuate Karawalevu, is regarded as the hottest Fijian property in both rugby codes.
Legendary Gold Coast surf lifesaver, John Cunningham has died. John was lifeguard at Greenmount Beach for 40 odd years, and was involved in countless rescues.
SUNDAY, MAY 1
First continuous dog bark – 8.50 a.m. Dogs have been out of control in recent days. First power tool – 9.26 a.m. So much for a peaceful Sunday.
Featherstone Rovers 74 Widnes 6 – a score from the English Rugby League Championship (the second tier). It’s bad enough the once mighty Widnes being in the second tier, never mind being beaten by a score like that. My Widnes mates, Paddy Hart and Brian Atherton, would be horrified. (Brian now lives in Taree). Newcastle Knights take a kick at goal when down 26-0 against Melbourne in Newcastle. Melbourne won 50-2. That brings back memories of some of the weak French sides, who were just happy to get on the board.
The gear the Brisbane Lions’ AFL players are wearing in the sheds, looks very much like the State of Origin Rugby League kit.
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