Old schoolmates - Andrew Meyenn (centre), Tom Tartan (left) and Steve Ricketts
MONDAY, JANUARY 13
Andrew Meyenn played Australian rules for Lismore in 1969-70. Big deal you might say. But back then Aussie rules was almost unheard of, on the Far North Coast of New South Wales. Likewise rugby union. It was all rugby league, soccer and hockey for men’s winter sports. Andrew was a classmate of mine at Murwillumbah High, and a teammate in the School’s First XI Cricket side. He even played some rugby league at school. But being originally from Victoria, his first love was Aussie rules, and to get a game he had to either travel to Lismore or to the Gold Coast. He chose Lismore, and when they played a home game, his parents drove him there. If Lismore was playing on the Gold Coast – and that’s where they had to go for a game – the team bus would pick him up at Murwillumbah, on the way. Andrew, another former classmate, Tom Tartan and I have lunch at South Bank in Brisbane. Tom lives in Brisbane and I catch up with him two or three times a year. But I haven’t seen Andrew since 1996 – in Melbourne, where he lives now.
At Lutwyche Bus Station, the 375 had gone straight ahead instead of turning left, and a pedestrian guides the driver back to the station, and then jumps on board. Weird.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 14
Brian Atherton texts to say our good mate, John Mullarkey has died, in aged care at Hervey Bay here in Queensland (see Vale John Mullarkey this website). Australian cricket captain, Steve Smith is asked which sport or sporting team he follows away from cricket – answer? The Sydney Roosters. I’ve always liked Steve and now he has gone up even further in my estimation.
We drive our daughter, Melanie Mariotto to Brisbane Airport for the flight ‘home’ to Koh Samui, via Singapore and Bangkok. As we drive through Clayfield, Mel reminisces about her time as a student at St Rita’s College, where her close friend and former classmate, Lara Morgan is now deputy principal. St Rita’s is more sought after by parents now than ever, and is regarded as a major rival for All Hallows. Brisbane listeners to MMM are now stuck with Victorian based Marty Sheargold, after the local crew were sacked. Today Marty and his crew proclaim ‘testicle Tuesday’. His female off-side says maybe it could be genital ‘Jewsday’ – that’s what she said. Things can only get better
Agnes Beach on Queensland’s Central Coast is evacuated after a deadly brown snake is spotted swimming in the shallows. This is quite a shock for the guest Danish Life Guard. Yesterday the beach was closed at various stages because of a shark sighting, jellyfish and blue bottles. It really is a lovely beach.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15
Twenty years ago today Marie and I went bush walking at Sharplin Falls above the Canterbury Plains in New Zealand. It was closed for ages following the 2011 earthquakes, and re-opened in 2023. Manly-Warringah are having a training camp in the Blue Mountains. Two of their stars, Tom Trbojevic and Reubin Garrick, have had a training stint with the Canterbury Crusaders rugby union franchise. They were accompanied to Christchurch by Michael Ennis. Manly coach, Anthony Siebold, who has had experience with England’s rugby union side, said he wanted his men to experience life outside the rugby league bubble.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 16
Courier-Mail columnist, Mike O’Connor has published his tongue-in-cheek 2025 predictions. The January tip has PM, Albanese discovering the Bruce Highway, telling voters he knows it need upgrading because he has driven along it many times. “A fact check reveals this could not be true because no-one has driven along it that many times and lived to tell the tale,” writes O’Connor.
Veteran coach, Tim Sheens has contacted one of his former clubs, North Queensland Cowboys wanting to know what happened to a ‘Plate’ the Cows won in 1997, the Super League year. Cowboys’ historian, Greg Shannon hasn’t heard of it, and neither have I. Maybe Tim means the wooden spoon. Former Redcliffe star, Vic Tighe distributes Dolphins’ caps in Charleville.
Brisbane City Council have shown they have a heart by wiping a $120 parking fine imposed on my wife, Marie. She had put in the wrong registration number.
FRIDAY JANUARY 17
An African American commentator on ESPN’s ‘First Take reminds me of the young Limo driver from the first Die Hard movie. The Annual Shitbox Rally – from Brisbane to Alice Springs – is one of the Cancer Foundation’s biggest source of funds. Tonight I hand over $50 to neighbours, Russell and Eris Platt, who are great supports of the Foundation.
A get-together is held at Loganholm Tavern in memory of my former Brisbane Brothers’ teammate, Rod Sellers, who was instrumental in forming the BLOBS (Brisbane League Old Boys). Sue Mortimer, a Reds’ rugby union Life Member ticket holder tells me she came from a league family, but converted to union when he she met her husband-to-be, Ross, a lawyer who played breakaway for GPS. Sue knows my former Courier-Mail colleague, Mark Oberhardt, who also played for GPS. Everyone knows ‘Obie’. Sue has been to see the new release movie, Anora, describing it as ‘porn’. There was an old dear with a walker sitting in the front row at the cinema, and she stayed for the duration. Another neighbour, Ron Vincent, a former police inspector, says he once rejected an offer to work in security for disgraced businessman, Christopher Skase.
Soccer superstar, Denis Law has died aged 84. Law, a Scot, was European Footballer of the Year in 1964, and is regarded by many experts as the finest striking inside-forward ever produced by Scotland. I recall seeing him play for Manchester United on Match of the Day. My Ferny Grove based, former Huddersfield mate, Ray Knight reminds me Law started his English career with Huddersfield Town where manager, Bill Shankly took something of a gamble with the thin, ungainly Aberdeen schoolboy who had to wear glasses to correct a squint. Law, who boasted remarkable stamina and incredible reflexes, was also a master if the bicycle kick.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18
The Reds Fan Day is held at Ballymore, and the roll-up is around 300. Salford Rugby League Club in England is in deep financial trouble, and will have to shed players. Former Bronco, Sam Thaiday is to feature in Channel 10 reality show, ‘I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here’. Sam lives not far from us here at Samford.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 19
Accomplice Collective play at Little Tree in Samford, essentially just making up stuff as they go along. Look, I don’t mind their music, but I yearn for a song I recognise.
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