Samford Grove
MONDAY, JUNE 6
Since we were married – in Lismore, New South Wales, on November 15, 1975 – my wife, Marie and I have lived primarily in two places – Zillmere (28 years) and Grange (14 years), both suburbs of Brisbane. This week we are to add the village of Samford, in the Moreton Bay region, to the list. We have bought a villa in over-55 community, ‘Samford Grove’, a ‘Reside’ community. Our daughter, Melanie arrives in Brisbane, from Singapore, to help with the move.
TUESDAY, JUNE 7
Learn of the passing of my former Murwillumbah Brothers’ teammate and close friend, Mick Nunan, the youngest of five children – four brothers and a sister. I played alongside all four brothers at Murwillumbah – the eldest lads, twins Geoff and Alan; as well as Peter. I was best man at Mick’s wedding in Brisbane, when things were good in his life. Unfortunately mental demons sent him off the rails, and in recent years he struggled, and that impacted on those close to him. The last time I saw him was over coffee at Redcliffe, quite a few years back now. Mick was an official of the Townsville Souths club back in the late 1970s, when he became close friends with future International, Gene Miles. Gene has spoken to Mick’s ex-wife, Cindy, who told him Mick had had a couple of falls in recent times. “He wasn’t loved by all, as Mick always had his say, regardless, which didn’t sit well with some,” Gene says. “He was fine with me, and boy, he loved his footy.” And he knew his footy.
The men from ‘Brisk Transport’ (a boss and two young blokes) from Geebung, are efficient, although one of them drops the coffee machine, as they load our possessions onto the removal truck at Hermitage Gardens, Grange. They talk NBA, not NRL. A sign of the times. Our youngest son, Lliam supplies coffee, croissants and donuts. Lliam does a video tour of our new place – in Samford Grove. Broncos’ Rugby League legend, Darren Lockyer’s face adorns an Ausmar Homes’ vehicle in Samford Grove, with Ausmar responsible for much of the construction work. Lockyer is a ‘brand ambassador’ for the company. One of the residences has a sign – Grump’s Place – out the front. Sounds like a man after my own heart. Samford Grove was once a dairy farm. News breaks in Samford’s ‘Village Pump’ that the agricultural show has been cancelled because of the waterlogged state of the grounds. Samford State School is celebrating 150 years.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8
Former Australian fullback, Garry Jack and former dual rugby international, Ben Te’o are my interview subjects at Men of League Foundation lunch at Brisbane’s Caxton Hotel. Te’o played for Leinster in Ireland (in 2014), during his rugby union days, and recalls having dinner with Ireland assistant coach, Les Kiss (a former Australian Rugby League rep) on his first night in Dublin. Te’o loved his time there. “The Irish are just like Australians, only funnier,” he says. Ben says it is hard to beat the rivalry between Queensland and NSW, but reckons the Welsh hatred of the English is on another level. Garry Jack says one of the reasons his sons, Kieran and Brandon chose Australian rules was the fact they were belted by much bigger Polynesian boys, during their junior rugby league days. In recent times Garry has caught up with two other champion fullbacks – Les Johns and Russell Fairfax – both men among the most skilful sportsmen Australia has produced. Garry intends moving to Wollongong to live. Caxton licensee, Steve Farquhar recalls playing for Queensland against English club side, St Helens in 1976, and how it paid to duck. Tom Dineen a former rugby union player with Easts in Brisbane, and Aberdeen in Scotland, conducts the charity auction.
Watch the first match of the State of Origin series on the big screen, in high definition, back our new place in Samford Grove. Our children chose the television set, and used my credit card to buy it. It is a great game, with Queensland winning 16-10 in Sydney, in front of a crowd of 80,512. Player of the match is Queensland five eighth, Cameron Munster. New Queensland coach, Billy Slater has former Origin teammates, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Matt Ballin, on his staff as well as Dale Hall, a security specialist, who was a fine footballer in his day, and played for Wests Magpies in Sydney. When NSW lose the ball, our son, Lliam comes up with his favourite call – “He doesn’t even want it.”
THURSDAY, JUNE 9
Enjoy my first beers in Samford Pub since becoming a resident of the village. There is a photograph of the ‘Hoopla Tour’ to the 2013 NRL Grand Final, a match I attended with my wife, Marie. Conversations in the public bar range from Andrew Forrest, to Caterpillar motor graders and former wrestler, ‘Killer Kowalski’. The fire in the public bar is being stoked as I leave. Touch footy is being played on nearby Stags’ Rugby League Ground ground. Former next-door neighbour at Grange, Len O’Brien says my Origin views were missed at Stafford Tavern. Thanks Len.
ABC’s Leigh Sales does a soft interview with Climate Change and Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, in relation to gas supplies and other matters. No shocks there. It was like two mates getting together.
Noted chef, Rick Stein talks about the influence of Australian surf life savers in the UK, and how the surf life saving movement spread from the Cornish town of Bude. Stein says the handsome Aussie ‘lifeguards’ often ‘stole’ the local girls.
FRIDAY, JUNE 10
One of the young builders at Samford Grove jumps the high, wooden fence, to get a pie down in the village. Oh, to be young again. Former Queensland Origin skipper, Trevor ‘The Axe’ Gillmeister is my interview subject at Brisbane Beer and Beef Club lunch at Morrison Hotel. Former Test wicketkeeper, Ian Healy – who represented Queensland Primary Schools in rugby league, from Biloela – is a guest of Club president, Don Gailer.
Rowing identity and good friend, Ray Ebert says Olympic heavyweight, John Coates is a rugby league man, and called games on radio in younger days. My brother-in-law, David Lynch has met Bob Gehrke Jnr. at his fruit stall at South Bank Markets, Brisbane. Bob, who is based at Wamuran, is the son of former Queensland Rugby League hooker, Bob Gehrke, who toured New Zealand with the 1961 Australian side, from Redcliffe Dolphins.
SATURDAY, JUNE 11
Watch my first Samford Stags’ home game – the second half anyway. Samford, with former Test forward, Sam Thaiday in the pack, beat Burpengary Jets 44-14. Sam brings loud cheers every time he touches the ball, or makes a tackle. It is cash only at the can bar – $5 for a XXXX heavy. The Private Percy Cash (cyclist and pedestrian) Bridge over South Pine River, near Samford, was officially opened today. Private Cash was killed during World War – in 1917 – and is one of the many to have no known grave. His name is on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres in Belgium.
There is a ‘Back to Bray Park Day’ for Brothers Rugby League, which played there – at Brothers’ Holy Spirit’s HQ – for a number of years, after the collapse of the traditional club, at its spiritual home, Corbett Park, Grange. (Trivia – our new villa at Samford Grove, adjoins another Corbett Park, an area of green space at the entrance to the main part of Samford Village. Our previous home, at Hermitage Gardens, was built on the old Brothers’ footy grounds, Corbett Park, Grange). I believe the likes of former Test forward, Graham Olling; Steve Telfer, Dene Rauchle, Justin Uzelac, Gary O’Brien, James Wainwright, Terry O’Regan, Justin Hoolihan, Grant Rogers and Scott McGuire attended the Bray Park day. Scott coaches the First XV at Brisbane’s Padua College. I covered several games at Bray Park when the likes of Don Gailer and David Wright were on the coaching staff. I first heard the name, Shane Webcke, when David sang the praises of the young Broncos’ prop, who was playing colts for Brothers at the time, under an affiliation agreement with the Broncos.
Fremantle born, Grant Anderson scores two tries in his NRL debut for Melbourne Storm, in the club’s 26-18 win over Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground. There are lovely scenes after the game, as Anderson is greeted by family and friends.
SUNDAY, JUNE 12
Marie and I enjoy a drink at Samford Pub. A woman on the verandah says: “I’ve already spent $100 here today.” She probably had four beers, going on the prices for a schooner.
Comedian, Jim Rees’ ‘spin’ on ‘baby boomers’ is well done. He suggests that ‘baby boomers’ are quick to fire up, when criticised. This is probably true. But those same ‘baby boomers’ generally get on with life, instead of going into the foetal position, whenever they are offended, which is the case for more recent generations.
Our daughter, Melanie flies out today.
Thanks so much for your help, Mel.
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