Marie and Steve Ricketts at Little Tree, Samford with Greg and Melanie Mariotto.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12
Former Queensland lock forward, Barry O’Connor has died aged 86. Barry played for the Maroons against New South Wales and Great Britain in 1958, and won a Brisbane premiership with Brothers. From all accounts he was desperately unlucky not to have played for Australia that same year. (I have a Vale to Barry on this website).
A junior rugby league recruitment ad features an Asian lad, which is good timing in one way, following the passing last week of rugby league icon, Paul Broughton. Paul was a great advocate for getting the Asian community involved in the code, given they make up such a big percentage of the population.
My wife, Marie and I attend Samford Grove Christmas Party in our over-55 village’s community centre.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13
French cricket is discussed by Andrew Courtice and Paul Sawtell on RadioTAB. They are not talking about cricket in France, but instead reflecting on ‘French cricket’ a favourite of youngsters growing up, ‘once upon a time’. I would play it for hours with family or mates, particularly at the beach. Courtice mentions that former Queensland rugby league halfback, John Salter, who was a talented cricketer, is on the Board of Queensland Cricket.
Marie and I drive to Kiel Mountain for lunch with English friends, John and Glenda Tapp, who are house sitting for their son, Robin and his wife, Linda, who are overseas. There is a big new church – Sunshine Coast Christian Fellowship – in Malone’s Road, Kiel Mountain. I don’t think its construction went down well with many of the locals, given the extra traffic.
Home in time to watch the start of the Big Bash Cricket competition, with the Sydney Sixers beating Melbourne Stars in a thriller in Canberra.
Learn of the passing former Welsh rugby league player, Mel James, aged 74. Mel, who played his club football for Merseyside club, St Helens, represented Wales in 11 Tests between 1975 and 1981. I saw him play for Wales against France at Widnes, in January, 1978, when Marie and I were on a back packing holiday. We also saw him play for St Helens in their Challenge Cup final win over Leeds at Wembley in May, 1978. The following year James toured Australia and New Zealand with the Great Britain side, but did not play a Test. I met him when the team was staying at Spring Hill in Brisbane. James was a product of Resolven Rugby Union club in South Wales, and was signed by St Helens from Swansea.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14
A letter writer to ‘The Australian’ says he was berated by a female for reading a newspaper on his bus commute. She was angry about the environmental damage caused by newspapers. She was browsing on her smart phone. I have read a number of reports which suggest the environmental impact of smart phones is far greater than that of newspapers, given everything that goes into their manufacture, and also the data which is fed into these devices, in the process almost making newspapers obsolete.
Learn of the passing of Redcliffe rugby league stalwart, Kevin Benson, aged 86. He was also a Brisbane Rugby League executive. Kevin’s son, Trevor played for Redcliffe, St George (Sydney) and Hunslet (England), as well as representing Queensland against New South Wales in 1981.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15
Marie and I enjoy morning tea with neighbours, John and Norah Rothwell, who are originally from South Africa. Norah loves the NBA. Another neighbour, Mike Gallwey, saw Welsh superstar, Billy Boston play for the Great Britain Rugby League touring side in Brisbane in 1962. Billy was my late father, Jon’s favourite winger. Watch the Big Bash and feel for Brisbane Heat all rounder, James Bazley, who can’t get bat on ball, during a painful (for us viewers) stay at the crease. He didn’t really look like an all rounder, more like a tail end batsman.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
Sydney Thunder are all out for 15 against Adelaide Strikers. I played a Tweed District A grade match for Tumbulgum against South Arm, when we were dismissed for nine, on a dodgy, wet wicket at Murwillumbah Oval. No covers in those days. And we also had a couple of blokes who arrived late because of work commitments, and by the time they got there, we were all out. I top scored with two. But 15, at first class level – that’s ridiculous.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
ABC cricket commentator, Kim Hughes, the former Australian skipper, tells a great story about South African spin bowler, Pat Symcox, who loved a beer and a cigarette at the end of a day’s play. When the team’s fitness guru insisted on a 5km run, Simcox replied: “Will it help with my bounce and turn?”
Former Australian cricket captain, Allan Border poses with fans at the statue erected in his honour, outside the Gabba, which is hosting the First Test between Australia and South Africa. The FoxSports commentary team discuss cricketers who have been successful in other sports, and Ray Lindwall’s name comes up, given he was a brilliant fullback for the St George (Sydney) rugby league side. West Indies superstar, Viv Richards played soccer for Antigua, which I never knew. I always think of Graeme Hughes who played cricket and rugby league for New South Wales. And of course, the great Keith Miller, who was a top Australian rules player.
There is (just another) soccer riot – this time in Melbourne – with the referee having no choice but to abandon the game after the goal keeper, Tom Glover was hit in the head by a bucket of sand, thrown by one of the many on-field intruders. Police reckon the so-called fans caused $150,000 damage to the stadium and let off more than 50 flares. What is it with the flares? I reckon they must be sold in merchandise shops, probably in club colours.
A planned 70th birthday get together for my former Murwillumbah High classmate, Bronwyn McCrone – at Mermaid Beach Tavern – is called off because many of the invited guests have the ‘Wuhan wog’ (Covid). The last time I saw Bronwyn was 1988, when there was a reunion for the class of 68, held at the Murwillumbah Golf Club, with a ‘recovery’ session at the school oval the following day.
Marie and I host neighbours, Peter and Lyn Williamson, for roast chicken dinner. Peter and Lyn have moved here from Tasmania. Peter has an engineering background.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
Our daughter, Melanie Mariotto and husband, Greg arrive from Thailand, for Christmas. We visit our youngest son, Lliam’s Paddington residence and then adjourn to Little Tree, Samford for live music, followed by fish and chips at Sweet Lips.
Learn of the passing of former Wests Magpies’ and St George (Sydney) centre, Roy Ferguson, one of my favourite players. Ferguson, who owned a brewery truck and then a newsagency after retiring from football, suffered a stroke in 2013. He represented Sydney Seconds against New South Wales Country Seconds at the SCG in 1968, partnering my former Murwillumbah Brothers’ coach, Ron Saddler. The Country side included Murwillumbah Old Boys’ goal kicking winger, Ian Kennedy and Tom Searle, from Tamworth. Tom went on to become a legendary player and coach at Tweed Heads Seagulls. I played against Tom (for Brothers) in the 1973 Group 18 Gold Coast Grand Final.
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