NORTH QUEENSLAND TRIP 2025

INCORPORATING DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER

MONDAY, MARCH 31

Independent candidate for Dickson, Ellie Smith is campaigning with plenty of support, it seems, with heaps of volunteers around our village of Samford. She is to have morning tea with residents here at Samford Grove tomorrow. Smith is one of two women sitting against the incumbent, Peter Dutton, who also happens to be Leader of the Opposition, going into the May 3 Federal elections. The other woman is Labor’s Ali France. How embarrassing if Dutton loses his seat. I think he is a good man, and a good local Member, but in some ways a hard sell, especially when many of those addicted to social media judge people on appearances rather than substance. Foreign Affairs Minister, Penny Wong is to visit our electorate next week in support of Ali France. Heaven help us.

Marie and I have our Covid booster and flu injections at a local pharmacy.

Fellow Queensland Rugby League History Committee member, Greg Shannon has interviewed former North Queensland Cowboys’ forward, Peter Jones for a local magazine. Tony has twin brothers who played for Souths Magpies in Brisbane, which is something I didn’t realise.

NRL CEO, Andrew Abdo talks enthusiastically about the upcoming Kangaroo tour of Britain and the ‘Battle for Ashes’ Test series. It somehow doesn’t sound right, a bloke with a South African accent talking as if he knows all about this great Anglo-Australian rivalry. Courier-Mail writer, Robert ‘Crash’ Craddock, a cricket man first and foremost, writes that rugby league should come up with something more original than an ‘Ashes’ Trophy. I think, because rugby league was our main winter international team sport for many years, it was viewed by administrators as the winter version of the cricket Ashes series.

‘Dr Kildare’ actor Richard Chamberlain, has died aged 90. Fellow league historian, Lyle Beatson says he will watch the 1977 movie ‘The Last Wave’ in tribute to Chamberlain. The movie, Lyle says, is heavy with rugby league references and images, especially young Indigenous kids playing with a league ball in the streets of Redfern. I’ll take his word for it.

TUESDAY, APRIL 1

On Radio SEN, Ian Healy says Parramatta ace, Mitchell Moses is out for the season. I believe him, but, of course, it is his attempt at an April Fool’s Day joke. (And it worked, on me, anyway).

On Fox, former Queensland skipper, Gorden Tallis expresses his concern that one day the Maroons’ might be made up entirely of players of Polynesian origin, with smaller players such as Trevor Gillmeister, Allan Langer and Tommy Dearden squeezed out because of the emphasis on the power and size of those from the Pacific. Tallis’s former Queensland and Broncos’ teammate, Shane Webcke is featured in a one-on-one with FoxSports’ Yvonne Sampson and makes it clear there is only one sport he enjoys watching – rugby league. He is not into Aussie rules. I think he had to bite his bottom lip when he was reading AFL stories on Channel 7 news.

Marie and I watch Judy Dench movie ‘Six Minutes to Midnight’, filmed in Wales but set at Bexhill on Sea in England’s south. Just OK. Michael Portillo’s English railway adventures take him to Hull, where he refers to the city’s rugby league heritage and the impact of players such as Welsh star, the late Clive Sullivan.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2

Former Test rugby league forward, Sam Thaiday has a Peter Dutton poster outside his house in Samford. Good on you Sam. Former Test forward, Steve Walters is at Brisbane Airport as Marie and I arrive. I also see former Broncos and Redcliffe forward, Dave Simpson getting off a flight from Moranbah just as we board our flight for Townsville. The Brolgas under-18 Townsville representative rugby union team leaves for a tour of Japan. It’s hard for rugby league to match that, but we do have the incentive of better organised domestic club football.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3

The recently renovated Empire Pub in South Townsville is closed for the foreseeable future, with the proprietors leaving a poster on the door giving patrons hope of a re-opening. Marie and I have breakfast at a cafe which doubles as a Sri Lankan restaurant at night. Our taxi to Meteor Hire Cars is dirty, and the driver, Shabd, spends a lot of time on his phone after barely saying hello, and then puts on rap music which includes a reference to a paedophile. I ask Shabd to turn it off because it is irritating, and to his credit, he does so immediately.

The Wallabies v Argentine Rugby game (on September 6) is promoted at Townsville’s impressive sports stadium. I saw a Southside Crusaders rugby bus earlier, along with a sign urging kids to play Aussie rules. This is a rugby league stronghold but local league officials can’t afford to be complacent.

On arrival at Country Ayr Motel the Asian proprietor suggests we might like to stay in a house in Munro Street which he also owns, for no extra cost. We have  a look and quickly say no. It is dark and unwelcoming. “Reminds me of an old Aunty’s place,” says Marie. No doubt the motel proprietor was keen to get us into the house so he could rent out our room. As I place a six pack of Coopers’ Pacific Ale on the counter at Ayr bottle shop, an Indigenous woman asks what is in the cans. When the proprietor says ‘Beer’, she says “I bet it tastes like shit’. Delightful. We get to East Ayr Primary in time to greet our grand-daughters, Parker and Evan as school finishes for the day. Their father, Damien is deputy principal, while their mother, Emma is teaching at Giru State School, north of Ayr. Our youngest lad, Lliam, a director of Supply Partners, is holding an event at Perth’s Optus Stadium. The West Coast Eagles’ AFL side trains as guests enjoy a drink. West Coast are the basket cases of the AFL.

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

Coffee from Chill Drive Through is excellent. Annual Easter bonnet parade at East Ayr is a big event on the local calendar going by the number of people in attendance.

Marie and I walk over the southern approach to the Burdekin Bridge – from Home Hill – taking in the amazing vista of the Burdekin River in full flow, something we haven’t seen before. The bridge, completed in 1957, is longer than the Sydney Harbour Bridge and carries road and rail traffic. We enjoy a BBQ at Damien and Emma’s place as his daughters cycle on the street. Evan ran over a deadly eastern brown snake earlier in the week and was lucky not to be bitten. The sugar cane fields are not far away and snake sightings are common.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

Brandon, once the industrial heart of the Burdekin, has a special World War 1 Memorial, a statue of a soldier, from the 14th Battalion AIF with what I think is a captured German mortar. The statue was unveiled by Governor General Lord Forster in 1924. The names J W Kelly and T H Kelly are featured, among others, on the memorial. Marie and I, Damien, Emma and girls enjoy brunch at Little Leaves, Brandon.

The funeral of Ayr dental surgeon, Ramon Geoffrey Oar draws a huge congregation, with the service taking place in Burdekin Catholic High School’s Marcellin Centre. Ramon was only 54. One of the mourners is Ramon’s uncle, Laurie Oar who played rugby league in Ayr, but in more recent times is known for his involvement with the Burleigh Bears’ club on the Gold Coast. I was MC at the club’s Centenary dinner last year and Laurie was an excellent host.

Also learn of the passing of my former Queensland Newspapers’ colleague, Peter Cameron, in Cairns, at the age of 76. Peter was a noted turf writer who later became well known as a columnist writing on all things from politics and sport to social events and charity work. He would ring me, even after I retired, wanting items for the column, or background information on matters relating to rugby league. Peter’s passing explains why so many people have been accessing a story on this website called ‘Like a Lamb to the Slaughter’, which is a travel yarn referring to my time in Dublin in 1990 when I caught up with local turf writer, Valentine Lamb. He had been recommended to me by Peter Cameron. Also learn of the passing of former Great Britain fullback, Derek Whitehead, aged 81. Whitehead played three Tests in 1971, two against France and one against the touring Kiwis. In 1974 he was Lance Todd Trophy winner as player of the match in Warrington’s win over Featherstone Rovers in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley. A teammate was David Wright, who was having an off-season stint from Brisbane Brothers. David has been battling a bad back in recent times, but on his return to the golf course last month, sank a hole in one for the first time.

Prominent Charleville identity, Laurie Parker is honoured for his contribution to the town’s annual Mulga Cup junior league carnival. Laurie, who was presented with a framed photograph of the competing teams, doesn’t look for accolades, but is chuffed to have his work recognised. David has been battling a bad back in recent times, but on his return to the golf course last month, got a hole in one.

A big storm hits as we enjoy dinner at Ayr’s packed Kalamia Hotel, while watching the NRL.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6

A cleaner at our motel tells of an outdoor wedding reception at Blue Water north of Townsville being called off early because of last night’s storm, with the hosts urging guests to ‘leave now’ or risk being stranded for the night because of rising waters in the local creek.

Learn of the passing of former Canberra Raiders and Balmain five eighth, Percy Knight, an exciting Indigenous rugby league star. He was only 69. I first heard of him when he played for New South Wales Country against Great Britain in Queanbeyan in 1977, a match in which another indigenous player – Larry Corowa – scored five tries. Former Great Britain player and coach, Mal Reilly has cancer of the spine.

Marie and I watch Tour of Flanders cycle race on SBS before retiring, and there are several terrible prangs. Damien’s wife, Emma (nee Parker) was a champion cyclist, who trained with future Olympic Gold Medallist, Anna Meares.

MONDAY, APRIL 7

I had intended to take Parker and Evan 10-pin bowling, but Ayr Bowl is closed, so it’s the library instead. While the girls amuse themselves, something they do brilliantly, I read up on North Queensland history, including rugby league stuff. In one book there is a photograph of two of my former Brisbane Brothers’ teammates, John Short and Vince Raleigh.

TUESDAY, APRIL 8

We say our farewells to Damien and crew and drive to Townsville, returning the hire car to Meteor. One of their employees drives us to the airport, telling us her mum is Welsh. She doesn’t have an accent, unlike the delightful lass at Chill Coffee in Ayr. I identified the accent as Scottish and she was thrilled, as most locals think it is English. She is from Lauder in the Scottish borders. Our daughter, Melanie, who is working as an events manager in Abu Dhabi, walks the Yas Marina F1 Circuit on an open day at the track.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9,

John and Glenda Tapp from Galmpton in Devon are our guests in Samford. Glenda enjoys Australian history, and novels based on historical facts. I show them real Australian culture with excerpts from the Adventures of Barry McKenzie, followed by Sirens, based on the life of renowned artist, Normal Lindsay. There was also the option of ‘Sir Les Paterson Saves the World’, but I thought they had had enough.

Our youngest son, Lliam attends Smart Energy Conference in Sydney and is part of a round table conference with Palau president, Surangel Samuel Whips. Lliam’s company, Supply Partners, are runners-up in the ‘Excellence in Training’ awards at the conference.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10

Officials from the New Zealand Rugby Union are guests of the QRL, with the QRL’s Glenn Ottaway has the floor as I walk past the conference room. Film maker, Anthony O’Brien attends the Queensland Rugby League History Committee meeting which I chair. O’Brien is well advanced with his Brisbane Rugby League History Project.

Caxton Hotel publicans Steve and Ross Farquhar say they do very well out of Queensland Reds’ rugby union patrons even though Reds’ crowds are traditionally well below those attending the rugby league. The Farquhars say a crowd of 17,500 is predicted tonight for the Dolphins v Penrith game. They are close to the mark – the crowd is just over 19,000.

When Marie and I arrive at the stadium, junior league teams are warming up behind the dead ball line at the northern end of the field and when I move over to the concourse rail to see what the teams are, a female security employee charges over to tell me that area is off limits. Her demeanour is one of a scolding teacher. I think she meant we were not able to take our seats yet, and we had no intention of doing so. When I explained I just wanted to peer down to the playing field (to see whether Samford or Norths teams were among the juniors) she continued to insist I move back from the barrier. Talk about overkill. Then, in the Members’ Bar, the O’Brien Catering female who serves me has the personality of a dead rat. Her sour look explains why there were no lemons or limes available for the gin and tonic my wife orders. The rest of the night goes well, especially the result on the football field with the Dolphins beating premiers, Penrith 30-12, a fair reflection of the gap between the teams on the night. Max Plath is sensational for the Dolphins. Marie and I sit beside my former Courier-Mail editorial colleague, Greg Davis, who now works for the Department of Industrial Relations. Greg has his son with him, a Villanova College student who supports the Panthers. 

The Dolphins have a two for one ticket deal with the Queensland Reds rugby union franchise, with the Reds to play the Brumbies at Suncorp on Saturday. Three Reds’ players are introduced to the crowd at halftime. 

FRIDAY, APRIL 11

Marie and I walk the Kangaroo Point Bridge for the first time. It is an impressive structure, a mini version of Sydney’s Anzac Bridge at Pyrmont. There are three information boards – two about Indigenous culture and one about the building of the bridge. The Grosvenor Hotel in George Street has been closed for some time, but there is still a sign over the door advertising ‘cold beer and hot women’.

The Roosters avenge their Round 1 thrashing by the Broncos with a gritty win in tonight’s clash at Suncorp Stadium. Roosters’ skipper, James Tedesco is simply sensational. The same could not be said for referee, Peter Gough, who should move to touch football, as some of the high shot penalties were a joke. As Spencer Lenui leaves the field for the inter-change bench, I see him give the crowd a serve, and later we learn that he also paid out on Channel 9 commentator, Johnathan Thurston, for comments he made last year about the eight match ban handed to Lenui for calling Broncos five eighth, Ezra Mam a monkey. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

Kurri Kurri Bulldogs have their first premiership win in the Newcastle competition for two years, accounting for Northern Hawks. Khynan Butler, the grandson of my former Murwillumbah Brothers’ teammate, Greg Grainger, plays for Kurri Kurri, the first club of the late John Sattler, who captained Australia in Tests in 1969 and 1970. Former Newcastle lad, Roger Cook is a guest at the NRL double header in Perth. Cook is the Premier of Western Australia, and the NRL needs him on side if they are to field a side in Perth. It is a beautiful day for footy in Perth and with no AFL in town the crowd of just over 31,000 is disappointing.

Margaret and Derek Barea host a morning tea at their Bridgeman Downs residence, and as usual, put on a marvellous spread. The men – Derek, Paul Grady, Dennis Oliver and yours truly ‘retreat’ to the pool room, which is a tribute to Derek’s love of Bundy rum. Derek has been approached by a mate to join him on a Kangaroo supporters tour at the end of the year, with the tour to be led by former Australian players, Allan ‘Aflie’ Langer and Gary ‘Badge’ Belcher. Derek asks me whether he should go. My advice is that he should, of he is up to plenty of late nights.

Paul Sironen, who toured with the Kangaroos in 1986 and 1990, is special guest at the Grafton Ghosts Rugby League team’s season launch at the Crown Hotel on the banks of the Clarence River. My parents, Jon William and Lola Mary (nee Kelly) spent the first night of their honeymoon at the Crown.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

There is a ‘no show’ by Johnathan Thurston on Channel 9’s Footy Show, to answer questions about his confrontation with Lenui. ‘JT’ is employed by the station, and I believe they should have insisted on his presence, given it is the biggest story in town. ‘JT’ was very upset at the spray delivered by Lenui, but it was probably no worse than some I have received from disgruntled players, officials or coaches over my years reporting rugby league. You get used to it after a while when you are in the media.

Marie and I attend 30^th anniversary celebrations for Albatross Travel – a high tea at Customs House in the city. I delivered 46 people to Albatross for two tours (1998 and 2002), tours which I led, and which my wife also joined. In 2017 Marie and I were strictly paying guests on a southern Italy tour, led by Englishman, Richard Ellis who is still with Albatross. The company’s principal, Euan Landsborough informs guests of new tours on the agenda. We sit beside a husband and wife from Thornlands, both originally from New Zealand, who have been on a recent tour. There is one person in the room who has been on 10 Albatross tours.

Australian singer, Col Joye turns 89 and ABC Radio’s Ian McNamara plays one of his hits – ‘Heaven is My Woman’s Love’ – in tribute. On a visit to the Royal Easter Show Macca was disappointed to see that South East Queensland had not entered a display in the District Exhibits – something to do with an inability to get volunteers and a lack of interest from young people.

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