John Plath in 1988 - fresh out of Brisbane’s State High
MONDAY, MARCH 3
Former Broncos’ utility, John Plath remains a Broncos’ supporter even though his son, Max plays for the Dolphins. John also remains a supporter of Wynnum-Manly at Queensland Cup level, even though Max graduated to the NRL from Redcliffe. Max is interviewed on RadioSEN. The station’s former Broncos’ forward, Corey Parker, who played alongside John at the Broncos, recalls ‘Plathy lighting up a bunger’ after the notorious Gap pre-season run around Enoggera Reservoir. Evidently 370,000 American viewers tuned into the Las Vegas rugby league fest, a 600 percent increase on last year. In England the Wigan v Warrington game attracted the second biggest tv audience since Super League began 30 years ago. When the 4MMM Radio crew are talking about Vegas their former Wallaby back, Greg Martin sarcastically refers to Warrington as ‘Warrington Workers’, which I prefer to Warrington Wolves. Warrington were previously the Wire.
It is our grandson, Ethan’s 10th birthday and my wife, Marie and I enjoy a family catch-up at Let Minnow Cafe, Eagle Junction.
TUESDAY, MARCH 4
“Have you been robbed?” my wife, Marie asks our local butcher here at Samford, as she surveys empty shelves. There has been panic buying with Cyclone Alfie heading our way. The QRL offices close, in anticipation of Armageddon and the cabinets housing heritage items are moved upstairs. Many historic items were lost when floodwaters swept through the offices in 2022. On that occasion the cabinets themselves were historic, having been rescued from construction work at the Sydney Cricket Ground. But these impressive wooden items of furniture could not be salvaged after the floodwaters subsided. My fellow History Committee member, Paul Hayes, (with money from our QRL provided budget) bought smaller steel cabinets on wheels to avoid a repeat of 2022. Marie’s sister in Lismore, Carolyn is worried about the cyclone ‘finishing’ Lismore, which has been battered so much in recent times by floods. Olive Gilbey, the oldest resident of Samford Grove, and a lifetime resident of Samford Valley, says she has been through a lot here, but never a cyclone.
Channel 7 interview a lady who was a teenager when a cyclone hit the Gold Coast in 1954. I was two, living in Lismore, where there were big floods as a result of that cyclone.
There is a smell of burning on most afternoons here at Samford and I think I know the culprit, a resident on Samford Road (not here in the over-65 village) who loves to get rid of garden waste that way. It doesn’t bother me but I feel for people with respiratory dramas.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5
The Dolphins leave for Sydney today ahead of their match against Souths, which is now a home game for the Rabbitohs because of the impending cyclone. The wives of players, Kodi Nikorima and Mark Nicholls are unhappy about their husbands leaving home, with bleak days ahead. Lions AFL star, Lachie Neale says he would have refused to go if faced with the same situation. (The AFL postponed the Lions and Suns fixtures). One of our neighbours, Barry McPhee, who has a background in the Emergency Services, thinks the cyclone could be a fizzer. He says the 1972 flood in Charleville was his most challenging time in the Service. I have morning tea at Little Tree, Samford with Family of League Foundation Queensland boss, Andrew Blucher about a 1970s tribute lunch planned for October 3 at Brisbane’s Pullman Hotel.
Learn of the passing of former Queensland newspapers social editor, Ken Lord, who came up with the Ten Tenors concept. I would often see Ken in the offices at Bowen Hills, usually on a Saturday night after he had done his early rounds.
THURSDAY, MARCH 6
Samford’s Main street is totally deserted. Not even the pub is open. ‘Hope and Anchor’ bar at Paddington has remained open and is doing a roaring trade. So many police sirens earlier in the day, chasing a car thief up Mt Glorious Road.
Sydney Roosters’ winger, Englishman, Dom Young needs a lesson in positional play as he is caught out too often by the passing and kicking game of rival teams. The Roosters’ recruit from rugby, Mark Nawaqanitawase looks good in a team badly beaten by the Broncos.
Learn of the passing of champion Australian tennis player, Fred Stolle. I loved his commentary.
FRIDAY, MARCH 7
There is beautiful sunshine as residents of Samford Grove enjoy Happy Hour at the Homestead. Cyclone? What Cyclone? David Boyce tells me he played rugby league for SGIO in the Public Service League, and the game against Firefighters was one of the toughest, as you can imagine. SGIO sometimes struggled for players, and on one occasion the club got renowned radio broadcaster, Wayne Roberts, to put out an SOS for recruits. ‘Wayniepoo’ was a rugby league fan and supported Brothers. Wayne’s sidekick, Deidre Slack (real name Majella Marsden) is also a league devotee and her husband played Public Service League. “He was a good player,” David Boyce says. I watch the Weather Channel for a while, but the diction of the presenters is so bad, I give up.
SATURDAY, MARCH 8
I am woken at 1.30 a.m. by wind roaring through our village. I haven’t heard anything like it – it was like a train coming down the street. ‘Alfie’ crosses land, first on Moreton Island, and then near Bribie Island. Iconic Norfolk pines have come down on Byron Bay’s beach front. I covered a cyclone in 1974 when I was a young journalist at the Tweed Daily News and there was major flooding, and also erosion on Gold Coast beaches, but I don’t recall anything like the winds which whipped through here this morning. When the worst has passed and day breaks, cafes like Buzz and Little Tree, are about the only places open in Samford.
I can’t help but feel sorry for North Queensland Cowboys’ halfback, Thomas Duffy after his debut against Manly in Townsville. Manly were very good, and Thomas, a former Australian Schoolboy, was put under enormous pressure. He goes OK, but not well enough to ensure he is there next week.
On International Women’s Day Melbourne Storm pay tribute to AAP’s Melissa Woods, who has been covering the club’s exploits from the start. I remember Melissa, a Wollongong girl, being a diligent journalist, who did a good job covering a sporting round which obviously took back stage to the AFL. Being from ‘The Gong’ she is steeped in rugby league tradition. Storm coach, Craig Bellamy presents Melissa with a club jersey.
Roosters’ forward, Victor Radley makes a special effort to attend the Clovelly Crocs’ Junior sign on despite being concussed against the Broncos. There aren’t many genuine Roosters’ juniors any more as the demographics of the eastern suburbs have changed so dramatically, from a working class area to a money burb. Radley is a Clovelly product.
SUNDAY, MARCH 9
ABC radio’s Spencer Howson does an excellent job of providing updates on Alfie. There is minimal damage here in Samford, but the area is without power. Our place is an exception, thanks to our son, Lliam and his company, Supply Partners installing battery back-up before Christmas.
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