Broncos’ training Red Hill
MONDAY, JANUARY 9
At Broncos’ training at Red Hill, the focus of the media pack is centre, Selwyn Cobbo, after he said (in a podcast recorded last year, I believe) that Kevin Walters couldn’t coach. Experienced sports journo, Joel Gould says league reporting misses my perspective. Thanks Joel. Gould, a New South Welshman, would watch the old Brisbane competition on television at the family home at Inverell. I had a look at Broncos’ training, before attending a meeting of the Brisbane Committee of Men of League Foundation. Reg Green and Cliff Coyle stand down as president and treasurer respectively, after many years of valued service. No-one puts their hand up to take on either role. “It will be the first time in 55 years I have had nothing to do with rugby league,” Reg says. One of our young members, former Broncos’ hooker, John Driscoll, ends his involvement with the committee as well, because of work commitments. I fear we may not have a committee any more. My Taree based English mate, Brian Atherton also fears for his local committee, which is struggling for volunteers. There is just Brian; former Origin referee, Mick Stone and former NSWRL treasurer, Chris Turner, who are prepared to put in the work, he says. Our committee also receives the news Norths Leagues Club at Nundah cannot host our planned February event because of a shortage of kitchen staff, a widespread problem in the hospitality industry, post-Covid.
My grandfather on my mum’s side, Charles Mortimer Kelly was a penciller for an SP Bookie at Lismore’s Rous Hotel. Like it not, gambling is a big part of Australia’s history. My former Courier-Mail colleague, Ben Dorries, tells RadioTAB’s Paul Sawtell that when he was 12, his dad would give him money (around $8) to have a bet on Saturdays.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10
Our family optometrist, Hugh Stephens was enjoying a meal at Norths Kallangur Leagues Club recently, while watching the NRL on the big screen. Hugh thought – “how good is this game,” thinking it was live. Then he realised it was a game from the late 1980s.
Our grandson, Connor Ricketts turns six. He went to bed early last night, so he could be six quicker.
Learn of the passing of UK rock star, Jeff Beck, aged 78. One of his songs ‘Hi Ho Silver Lining’ – is a favourite of crowds at rugby league games in England.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11
The driver of an Army Bushmaster blows the horn as our grandsons, Ethan and Connor salute. The boys are here at Samford with their dad, Lliam, for a BBQ lunch, with Lliam doing an excellent job cooking chicken. Army vehicles from Enoggera often come out here, when drivers are training.
New Zealand International, Jesse Bromwich has been appointed inaugural captain of the Dophins’ NRL side.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12
Potatoes are $1 each at the Samford Fruit and Vegie shop!
I read Hugh Lunn’s story about former Australian tennis star, Ken Fletcher’s love affair in France. Laurie Parker from Charleville has just returned from a work trip to Cunnamulla, where he was told former Australian rugby league fullback, Ken Thornett had worked as a wool classer. Laurie says his mother recalled famous actress, Di Cilento catching a tram at Annerley in Brisbane. (The Cilento family lived in the area). Diane, who worked at a clothing store in the city, got into trouble for bathing topless at Caloundra. Laurie and his son, Monty, are being taken fishing for yellowbelly (golden perch) in the Warrego River.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
A caller to SEN’s Adam Peacock voices his displeasure at the fact we have three flags, and Peacock dismisses him as “so last Century”. That would be ‘last century’ when we weren’t divided into tribes, like we are now. While I have morning tea at Samford Patisserie, a lady near me blows her nose, and looks for far too long into the tissue. I was about to leave, when she leaves, thank heavens. A lovely lass holds a ‘happy holiday’ sign as family members (or friends) leave Samford’s Main Street for a big trip, towing a caravan. Our grandsons set up a lemonade stand outside Suncorp Stadium, and get a tip from at least one customer. If passers by say they have no coins, the boys give them a drink anyway. They still make $26 profit from the day.
Fellow Samford Grove resident, Laurie Hayes is a returned servicemen, an intelligence officer in Vietnam. Later he was an assets manager for light houses in Queensland.
‘McCabe and Mrs Miller’ is a movie showing on Fox Classics. I saw it in Brisbane in 1971, during a stay at Marr’s Guest House, in Tank Street. Elvis Presley movie, ‘Kissin Cousins’ is on free to air. I saw it at Murwillumbah’s Regent Theatre, in 1965.
English friends, John and Glenda Tapp visit former Queensland Governor, Toowoomba born Penelope Wensley at Mapleton. They met on an Irrawaddy River cruise.
I have a lovely chat with Brian O’Connor and his daughter, Fiona about the passing of Brian’s brother, Barry, a former Queensland Rugby League representative. (See Vale Barry O’Connor, this website).
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14.
Greater Manchester rugby league club, Leigh, sign, Umyla Hanley, son of former Great Britain skipper, Ellery Hanley. Umlya is a product of Shevington Sharks Amateur club, north of Wigan. Former Great Britain centre, Martin Gleeson is now attack-coach for the English Rugby Union side. Gleeson was born in the UK, but went to Beenleigh High after the family emigrated. They then returned to England.
The Magic Millions race meeting on the Gold Coast is called after Race 2, because the track is unsafe. How embarrassing. ‘King Gutho’ was the name of a horse in Race 1. It is named after Parramatta rugby league star, Clint Gutherson. Bobby Rydell’s 1960 hit ‘Swinging School’ is featured on television. Would have a different meaning today.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15
The priest who says Mass at Sacred Heart, Samford, looks like former Brisbane Easts’ forward, Errol Slingsby. I’m not a great fan of the new age hymns. They all sound the same, and, dare I say it, lack soul. Some parishioners prefer the Latin Mass at Wilston. Controversial Cardinal George Pell is mentioned in prayers for the deceased. Fellow parishioner (and neighbour) Carmel Selwood tells me she grew up opposite the New Brighton Hotel, at Billinudgel. Marie and I join other parishioners for morning tea at Spoke Cafe. One of the ladies at the table is a Brisbane Brothers’ rugby league fan and went to the 1968 Grand Final. Barry ‘Tubby’ Dowling and Johnny Smith are her favourite players. She also recalls Valleys’ fullback, Norm Pope’s trademark stiff arm tackles, and the betting ring on the ‘OUTER’ terraces. Another parishioner, John Quinlan, went to Gregory Terrace with noted author, Hugh Lunn. “Hugh was always jotting things down,” John recalls.
In the evening, Marie and I attend Little Tree Bar and Restaurant for live music from a Northern Rivers (New South Wales) band, The Heart Collectors. Marilyn Slawson from Samford Grove is an ex All Hallows student. My grandmother; my youngest sister and her daughter all went to All Hallows, one of Brisbane’s oldest Catholic Schools.
Race 2 at Marburg Trots (near Ipswich) is called ‘Thanks Benny the Barman’.
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