Chris Beattie playing for Lezignan in France
MONDAY, JUNE 27
The mood around Samford Grove is subdued, after Queensland’s 44-12 loss to New South Wales in the return State of Origin rugby league match in Perth last night. Queensland missed 34 tackles in the second half and 56 for the game, prompting calls for changes for the decider, to be played at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium, on July 13. NSW coach, Brad Fittler had a headache of a different kind, with Jack Wighton and Latrell Mitchell expected to be available for Game III, after being sidelined by injury. Paul ‘Chief’ Harragon handed out jerseys to Blues’ players yesterday and spoke of the spirit of 1994, when he was part of a NSW side, which came back from a loss in Game 1, to win the series. Phil Gould was coach of NSW in 1994. He sponsors a Newtown Jets’ player – Caleb Uele – which is a lovely gesture. Phil is a former Newtown player.
TUESDAY, JUNE 28
Former Queensland State of Origin prop, Chris Beattie is my latest interview subject for Men of League Foundation magazine. Chris, a champion bloke, loved his stints playing rugby league in France – for Catalans Dragons and Lezignan. Chris, an Ipswich product, had Covid for two days on a recent trip to New York. Brisbane Men of League patron, Ron Atkins recalls being attacked by monkeys at Coolangatta Zoo, way back in the 1960s. Yes. Coolangatta had a zoo. Now the zoo is at Surfers Paradise!!
Lots of ‘cow cockies’ in public bar of Samford Hotel, as I enjoy an ale. One tells his mates he has sold his ‘old horse’. Two Poms (tourists, I presume) photograph pot, schooner and pint glasses sitting on the bar.
Elaine Holmes, a resident of Samford Grove, appeared in Pix Magazine in 1962. I loved sneaking a peak at Pix and Post, as a teenager in the 1960s. Elaine’s husband, George, managed a seafood export company in Papua New Guinea.
Our youngest son, Lliam now has Covid. Our eldest lad, Damien, is camping at Binna Burra on the Lamington Plateau, in the Gold Coast hinterland. We recommended the Dave’s Creek Circuit walk, and he takes it. Anthony Albanese becomes the first Australian Prime Minister to visit Spain. I have some Spanish ancestry. I think it was my great grandfather, on the Ricketts side, who married a Spanish lass. It wouldn’t be enough to make me eligible for the Spanish rugby league side.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29
Movie, ‘June Again’, is very good. The cast is multi-cultural, as is the norm these days, even if it bears no resemblance to reality. The funny thing is, the taxi-driver in the movie, is a ‘fair dinkum’ Aussie (Russell), and it’s bloody hard to find one driving cabs.
Chat to an old bloke from Barnsley, in England, who has moved to Samford to live. He followed soccer in the UK, but only watches rugby league in Australia.
THURSDAY, JUNE 30
Our eldest son, Damien and I walk from Samford Village to a crossing over the South Pine River and return, after lunch at ‘The Long Yard’. There are two young blokes at the crossing, one in a Parramatta Eels’ rugby league jersey. Damien had been to see the new ‘Top Gun’ movie, and loved it. He recently caught up with former North Queensland Cowboys’ rugby league star, Robert Lui. Damien taught Lui at Townsville’s Kirwan High. Robert works as groundsman at Townsville Brothers.
Former FOGS and Broncos’ executive, Marty Rowen has joined the Brisbane Men of League Foundation Committee.
FRIDAY, JULY 1
Cricketer, Matt Hayden is the first major guest on ‘new’ sports station, SEN, which occupies the place on the dial previously filled by 4KQ, which played golden oldies. Others to feature include rugby league personalities, Scott Sattler and Wayne Bennett, who are interviewed by hosts, Pat Welsh and Ian Healy. ‘Heals’ jokes that he was the Queensland State of Origin side’s best ever media manager. That doesn’t mean much, given my experiences.
Gold Coast Titans are woeful in their big loss to Newcastle, while the Roosters are brave in going down to premiers, Penrith. Edrick Lee scores five tries for Newcastle, while on the other wing, Englishman, Dominic Young grabs three. Newcastle led 22-0 at halftime. I win a meat tray in the Samford Stags rugby league raffle at the pub.
SATURDAY, JULY 2
North Queensland are too hot for the Broncos in Townsville, winning 40-26. Brisbane’s South Sydney recruit, Adam Reynolds is guilty of a few bad blues. Townsville’s Ignatius Park College defeats St Pat’s, Mackay in the final of the annual Confraternity Shield for Catholic Secondary Schools. Player of the carnival is Jamal Shibasaki from Ignatius Park. Former Queensland forward, Reg Cannon is a special guest at the carnival, representing the Carbine Club, a group of sporting enthusiasts, who support the event financially.
World Lacrosse titles are on television, with Australia playing Canada. In Rugby Union, the Wallabies defeat England in Perth. England’s Henry Arundell, who was born in Cyprus, does some amazing stuff towards the end of the game. He would make a good league player. He should not be confused with Halifax rugby league player, Joe Arundel.
The Courier-Mail’s Des Houghton has been to Italy, and has written about the garbage problems in Rome. No need to tell us, Des. We noticed that last time we were there, in 2017. They appear to have given up, on keeping the city presentable.
SUNDAY, JULY 3
Our son, Damien now has Covid, and will not be able to return to Townsville, as planned. He is stuck at Samford Grove, with the ‘oldies’. The Warriors make their long awaited return to Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium – 1,038 days after Covid forced the club to relocate to Australia. A crowd of 25,000 cheers the side to a 22-2 win over Wests Tigers. It is quite emotional, watching the Warriors run out. Damien’s NRL tipping rule this year has been, ‘always the Storm, never the Warriors’.
Townsville product, Matt Elliott has written a book – ‘The Change Room’ – about mental and physical well being. Elliott is a former first grade rugby league player and coach, as well as being a commentator for ABC Radio. He is entertaining, and a little bit ‘left field’, if you get my drift.
Beautiful sunset at Samford.
About Author
