John Mullarkey (second from left front row) as captain coach of Wingham Tigers
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10
Respected journalist, Ben Davis has been shown the door by Channel 7, where he is Head of Sport. I know the network is shedding talent, but I thought Ben was one bloke who had nothing to worry about.
I enjoy morning tea with neighbours, John Rothwell and Peter Williamson at ‘Lifestyle’ near Samford. John, who emigrated here from South Africa many years ago, talks about what he considers the roots of Apartheid in his home country. John will address the University of the Third Age later in the week – about the Domesday Book. I have visited many places in the UK mentioned in this iconic book.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Marie and I attend Trivia Night at Samford Grove, and while our table (Marie and I and Dave Campbell) fare quite well, we could have done better. There was a question about the end of cigarette advertising on TV and radio, and I put 1990s, instead of the correct answer – 1970s. I was thinking of the fact the Winfield Cup and Rothmans Gold Medal awards continued in rugby league until the 1990s. And – this is embarrassing – I put down Raelene Castle as a NZ PM, when the answer was Helen Clarke. The thing is, they are both rugby league girls, Raelene the daughter of a former Kiwi international (Bruce Castle) and Helen the patron of Mt Albert Rugby League Club. So, you can understand the confusion. Well, maybe not.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12
Our eldest son, Damien is able to navigate his way to work as deputy principal at East Ayr, despite flooding at Plantation Creek, which is near his residence. He catches a rail motor, with the railway line just above the flood level. Only semi-trailers are allowed to pass through water over the Bruce Highway at Plantation Creek.
One of our neighbours, Max Black (ex-Army) says I remind him of former Wallaby fullback, Laurie Monaghan. I’ll take that as a compliment.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13
A dolphin brushes past my brother, Jeff and his wife, Ann as they swim in the Terranora Inlet at Tweed Heads.
The last Liverpool derby is played at Goodison Park, with the match between Everton and Liverpool finishing 2-2. Evidently it is the first time Liverpool has fielded a side without an Englishman. There is something not right about that.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14
Umyla Hanley, son of British great, Ellery Hanley is Man of the Match in an enthralling extra time thriller between Wigan and Leigh at Wigan’s JJB Stadium. Leigh win 1-0. There were thousands of fans still trying to get in just before kick-off in this derby.
The imminent Australian Squash titles in Brisbane get a mention on RadioSEN, and there are recollections of the popularity of the sport here in the 1970s when it was also favourite spare time activity for rugby league players, with Immortal, Arthur Beetson an absolute weapon on the court. Artie played tennis against Rod Laver in his younger days and more than held his own.
Fellow Samford Grove resident, Dave Turner’s grandson – an O’Malley – makes his Samford Stags rugby league debut in an under-17 intra-club trial at Alan Cash Oval. Dave, an Aussie rules follower, was impressed with the game and with the way the players were looked after following the fulltime whistle, with pizzas and (soft) drinks all round – “And they weren’t from Dominoes,” he says. Teacher, Geoff Donald is keen to field a rugby league side at Warrigal State School in Brisbane’s south, but if he doesn’t get the numbers, it will just be soccer, basketball and/or tee-ball. The school pupils are largely from Chinese, Korean and Indian backgrounds, and soccer and basketball seem to be their first loves when it comes to ‘winter’ sports. It is one of rugby league’s great challenges, to get these communities interested in the game.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15
British rugby league great, Roger Millward’s number 6 jersey has been brought out of retirement at Hull Kingston Rovers, with his widow, Carol, presenting the jersey to Mikey Lewis, the reigning British ‘Man of Steel’. SkySports show Roger scoring a try at the SCG in a win over Australia in 1970. Hull KR fans sing ‘A Little Respect’, their theme song since 2015 when the club reached the Challenge Cup final.
Our grandson, Ethan, plays cricket at Kalinga, with a teammate taking five wickets. His father is so proud. Family and friends get together in the public bar of Hogan’s Wellington Point Hotel to pay tribute to the late John Mullarkey, a talented rugby league player in England and Australia (See Vale John Mullarkey).
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16
Nostalgia time at Cudgen Headland Surf Club at Kingscliff on the Tweed Coast, as I look at historic photos on the wall. As a member of nearby Cabarita Surf Club, I got my bronze medallion her at Kingscliff, with Cudgen Headland legend, Keith ‘Clackers’ Kennedy the examiner. The photos which capture my attention are of awards winners from the 1973-74 summer and the chariot team which finished first in the 1968 New South Wales titles. The chariot race, along with the pillow fight, is no longer a part of surf carnivals. The pillow fight was about the only event I ever won at Cabarita. I had plenty of practice with my brother, Jeff. The chariot team members were Hugh Small, Chris Hudson, John ‘Crunchy’ Manning, Terry McNellee, Ian Kennedy and Bob Marshall. Manning, McNellee and Kennedy played rugby league for Murwillumbah Old Boys, while Hudson played for South Murwillumbah. McNellee was a brilliant junior footballer. He played halfback for Old Boys in the 1968 Tweed Grand Final. I was fullback for the opposing side, Murwillumbah Bothers, and we won 10-4, at Knox Park. The award winners in 1973-74 were Stephen Tanner, Greg Pile, Kevin McAndrew and Paul McCallum. Tanner was a neighbour of ours when I lived in Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah.
My wife, Marie and I are having a short break at Mantra at Casuarina, just to the south of Kingscliff. We walked the coastal path, over Cudgen Creek, to the surf club, where there was live music. And they still have Reschs on tap. You beauty.
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