Anzac Day at Samford
MONDAY, APRIL 24
A crowd of around 11,000 braves terrible weather in Hull to see Hull FC account for Huddersfield 20-14 in a Super League match. English fans are noted for coming out in the worst of conditions, to support their teams. Michael Nunn has an interview with former Queensland Residents forward from the late 1980s early 1990s, Ian Stains, who still sells raffle tickets for his beloved Easts Tigers.
TUESDAY, APRIL 25
Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton attends our local (and his) ANZAC Day service at Samford’s magnificent ‘Avenue of Honour’, and there is a good turnout. There is only one flag on display and no Welcome to Country. There is a fly past by Chipmunk and an Australian made Wirraway aircraft. It’s super busy in Samford’s Main Street, with Long Larder cafe making 750 coffees. Our daughter, Melanie Mariotto and husband, Greg are at Hell Fire Pass in Thailand where they say the Anzac service is very moving. My wife has made Anzac biscuits, which we enjoy over morning tea, while watching ABC’s cover of City march. Commander Peter Tedman was part of the commentary team. We lived for 28 years in Tedman Street, Zillmere, but I think it was named after a local baker. The Vietnam tunnel rats – surely the bravest of the brave – hold a reunion on Moreton Island.
Roosters win another classic Anzac Day NRL game against St George Illawarra in Sydney, despite having Victor Radley binned – for the third week in a row. Radley call it “A shit decision’ by referee, Adam Gee.
Learn of the passing of former Court House Hotel, Murwillumbah publican, Laing Lehfeldt. He later had the Chinderah Tavern (also in the Tweed Valley). Laing and wife, Dell were the quintessential husband and wife team. As they say in the classics – they don’t make them like that any more. The Court House was the venue for Group 18 Rugby League meetings, which I would cover for the Daily News.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26
A bloke at a table near me at Samford Patisserie tells the three ladies he is with that he has a weak jawline and receding hair, but his partner has a strong jawline. I’m glad he didn’t go into any more detail about his deficiencies.
THURSDAY, APRIL 27
Former Test hooker, Steve Walters is my interview subject at Family of League Foundation Lunch at Maroochydore RSL. Those in attendance include former Qld forward, Danny Nutley and former Brisbane Wests player and later coach, Don Oxenham. Danny is originally from Dayboro, where his brother still works in the family bakery.
FRIDAY, APRIL 28
There are some feral fans at tonight’s Broncos v South Sydney game at Suncorp Stadium. A group of young blokes behind us start with funny banter which then deteriorates into foul language, with no punchline. Security kick out two lots of people in our vicinity. An older, Maori looking chap berates a hoon who throws a paper aeroplane onto the field. One of the ball kids tears it up. But where was that same ball kid when Souths’ star Latrell Mitchell wanted the footy for a re-start? The standard of ball-kids is not as high as back in the day when the ‘white coats’ (stewards) ruled the old Lang Park, and made sure the kids were on the ball – literally. Former ABC commentator, Gerry Collins tells me Broncos’ halfback, Jock Madden came through All Saints, Maitland in the Hunter Valley. Gerry’s home town is Raymond Terrace, just to Newcastle’s north. ‘A shit hole’, my Maitland mate, Greg Grainger calls it. Souths’ win.
Marie and I stay night at Oaks Festival Hall, a multi-story apartment building on what used to be Festival Hall, the scene of concerts, boxing bouts and wrestling. In the entrance foyer there is a montage of photos from the old days, including one of fighter, ‘Fearless’ Fred Casey, who was a fellow committee member of mine at Brisbane Men of League Foundation in Brisbane.
Learn of the passing of former Brisbane Wests’ prop, George Vautin, the father of former Test forward, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin. I interviewed George for Men of League magazine a few years back. Paul describes his dad as a “kind, caring man.” “I wish I had seen him play footy,” Paul tells me. “He will be in my thoughts every day that I live.”
SATURDAY, APRIL 29
Charleville based solicitor, Laurie Parker is honoured with a plaque for 10 years-service to ATSIC (Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Commission). Marie and I enjoy a long lunch with my sister, Gay Lynch and her husband, David at Phoenix Restaurant. The city is alive with colour as Indians celebrate a feast day of some sort.
There are seven debutants in the French Rugby League side beaten 64-0 by England in a mid-season Test played in Warrington. Another sad day for the game in France.
SUNDAY, APRIL 30
Marie and I attend a junior rugby league carnival at Gibson Park, Stafford, home of Past Brothers. Our grandsons, Ethan and Connor play for Norths. The coffee cart guy is wearing a Brothers’ rugby league polo and says he played juniors for the club in the early 1970s. He recalls former Test prop, John Sattler’s days as licensee of the Bribie Island pub.
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