Noel Garvey (second from left) with sons Adam and Liam. George Doniger is on the left
MONDAY, JULY 14
New South Wales State of Origin coach, Laurie Daley graciously gives his ‘Big Sports Breakfast’ Hero of the Week award to Queensland skipper, Cameron Munster. The Big Sports Breakfast show is broadcast in Queensland on RadioTAB, and has replaced what was a local show, one I contributed to for 14 years. Munster played in the third and deciding Origin match despite being grief stricken following the sudden death of his father, Steven from a heart attack. Queensland, coached by Billy Slater, regained the Origin Shield with a 24-12 win.
One of our neighbours at Samford Grove, Willy Kranenburg grew up in the Netherlands where she followed soccer. “It’s so mathematical,” she says. That doesn’t necessarily make it exciting, Willy. Willy and another Samford Grove resident, Fay Lergessner, are recently back from a trip to Norfolk Island.
TUESDAY, JULY 15
Wake to live telecast of Australia v West Indies Third Cricket Test in Jamaica with the Windies needing 204 to win. After just one over it becomes apparent that it is a mountain too high, with our Mitchell Starc taking three wickets with the new ball. He finishes with 6/15 as the Windies are rolled for just 27. Scott Boland grabs a hat trick. It is so sad to see the Windies plummet to these depths and the score is the second lowest in Test history with the Kiwis having been dismissed for 26 by England in Auckland in 1955. I grew up desperately wanting our blokes to beat a Windies side which boasted a terrifying pace attack. While they still have some decent pace bowlers, the batting is atrocious, although it has to be taken into account that many blokes who would be in top order have not been available for a variety of reasons, primarily their desire to concentrate on limited over cricket. Radio SEN’s Gerard Middleton says the Windies wouldn’t win the Sydney first grade competition. Former Australian keeper, Ian Healy says Australian cricket is ready to help the Windies in the Test arena, but “do they want to be helped”. At Lords England beat India in the Third Test of a five game series, with the tourists 7/90 at one stage in their second innings.
Noel Garvey is my first interview subject for the next Family of League Foundation magazine, and what a delight it is to chat to this 90-year-old. Garvey was the Brisbane Rugby League’s leading try scorer in 1959, playing for Past Brothers. He also represented Brisbane. A promising tennis player as a teenager, he is now a world class veteran athlete. I catch up with Noel at the Pineapple Hotel where members of Brothers’ 1958 premiership winning under-18 side are gathering, with former Channel 7 commentator, George Doniger the prime mover behind these social get-togethers. George was a member of the side, and then went on to become a points scoring sensation in First Grade. Noel was driven to the pub by his sons, Adam (an actor of some renown) and Liam, who is high up in the education department. My sister, Gay Lynch went to McAuley (Teachers) College with Liam. “All the girls loved him,” she says. Also at the ‘Pinie’ to catch up with the Brothers’ boys is Queensland’s unofficial poet laureate, Rupert McCall, a Redcliffe Dolphins’ fan.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
Queensland Police Pipes and Drums provide a free concert at Samford Grove. ‘Highland Cathedral’, which the band plays on Police Academy graduation days, is my favourite. I am surprised to learn it was composed by a German. Fellow resident, John Pollock gives the official thanks to the band on behalf of us all. Earlier John had been planting a tree on the Catholic Church property next to the Telstra depot here at Samford.
Elective surgery at four Brisbane hospitals has been put off for 48 hours because the number of flu and Covid cases has jumped dramatically, with 90 percent of those admitted not having had their vaccinations. I spent six days in hospital in May with Influenza A, and I had had my flu and Covid shots a month earlier.
Our Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese wears a Rabbitohs’ cap while walking the Great Wall of China. Sharks’ rugby league legend, Paul Gallen beats dual rugby international, Sonny Bill Williams (who was brought up on rugby league) in a split decision boxing bout. Former Bronco, Corey Parker and former New Zealand wicket keeper, Ian Smith had predicted a Gallen victory earlier in the day on Radio SEN.
Learn of the passing of Connie Francis. My favourite songs from Connie’s playlist are Vacation, Lipstick on Your Collar and Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool. A TV music channel shows the original version of ‘Do You Love Me’ by The Contours. I prefer the Tremeloes’ version.
THURSDAY, JULY 17
Dolphins’ English rugby league centre, Herbie Farnworth appeals to British Lions’ rugby union fans to come out and support him in tonight’s match against North Queensland Cowboys at Suncorp. I don’t see any Lions’ jerseys in the crowd, at least not on the TV coverage. But Herbie has a blinder anyway, as the Dolphins belt the Cowboys 43-22. The Cowboys’ defence out wide is atrocious. Tom Dearden, as usual, goes 100mph for the Cowboys despite playing his third match in eight days.
The Courier Mail’s Travis Meyn writes a courageous column criticising the leadership at Gold Coast Titans, effectively calling for Chairman, Dennis Watt; CEO, Steve Mitchell and football manager, Anthony Laffranchi to go. Watt is a former News Ltd heavy who is held in awe by many journalists, so for Meyn to go in boots and all, is a gutsy call.
While Channel surfing I come across ‘Melvin, Son of Alvin (Purple)’ on Aussie classics. No folks. It’s not a kiddies show.
FRIDAY, JULY 18
Wake to second half of absorbing St Helens v Leigh Super League match from St Helens, with Leigh winning there for the first time since October, 1982, when the Kangaroos were in England. I covered the Kangaroos’ matches against Leigh and St Helens on that tour. At the end of post match interviews the SKY commentary team turn their attention to the current British Lions’ Rugby Union tour of Australia, given SKY will show the series in the UK. But also because League host, Brian Carney is a former Irish international rugby union player (as well as having played rugby league for Great Britain and Ireland), while Terry O’Connor was a teammate of Lions’ coach, Andy Farrell, in British Test teams, and at the Wigan club. O’Connor says he has never played with a more determined footballer than Farrell. Carney mentions former Wallaby Willie Ofahengaue, given his nephew, Joe Ofahengaue played for Leigh in this match against Saints.
At Samford Grove Happy Hour, fellow resident, Sue Mortimer, a Queensland Rugby Union Life Member, tells me she will be attending tomorrow’s First Test at Suncorp. She bought her tickets 12 months ago and they were supposedly ‘Premium’, but she will be seated near the corner post.
Queensland Rugby League contributor, Michael Nunn has a terrific Q & A with former Queensland winger, Brian Gardiner, who played seven games for the Maroons after moving to Redcliffe from Wollongong in 1976. (These were pre-State of Origin days). Gardiner also represented Brisbane and describes a match against France in 1977 as about the dirtiest he has been involved with.
Old Bar Bowls Club hosts this years Group 3 Hall of Fame evening with Terry McCartney, Michael Cameron, Ken Welsh, Ricky Greenaway and Barry Ferguson inducted. Ricky and Terry played for Wingham Tigers, a club I had the honour of representing in 1975. Ricky had just finished his playing career when I arrived, while Terry came after me, and played alongside my close mate, Greg Grainger. Terry, who represented North Coast in 1978, had three seasons with Canterbury-Bankstown.
SATURDAY, JULY 19
Samford are hosting Wynnum-Manly in an under-16 rugby league match when I walk past the Stags’ home ground. I drop in for a few minutes, and there are two blokes in the Can Bar in the full British Lions strip. That’s right – the Lions are playing the Wallabies at Suncorp tonight. I suspect these blokes are Samford Valley Poms reaffirming their allegiance to the Crown. Then again – they could be Irish. Samford is so busy with the football; donut mania at Kenilworth Bakery and the usual Saturday crowd. The Lions beat the Wallabies and our grandsons, Ethan and Connor have a break from watching rugby league at their Paddington home. “It’s not as good as State of Oigin,” Connor says. So true.
Doug Walters’ statue is unveiled in his home town, Dungog with a host of other top former cricketers present, among them Ian Chappel and Geoff Dymock. I had the honour of seeing Doug score 36 runs on day two of his debut Test against England at the Gabba in 1965. He had reached his century the day before, and my father (Jon William) and I thought Doug might get out early. But he continued in swash buckling fashion. I especially remember one six he straight drove into the Cricketers’ Club.
SUNDAY, JULY 20
Wake to NFL flag competition from the USA with Australia playing China and it looks like one of the Chinese players has a dummy in his mouth. No – hang on – a couple of Australians have dummies as well. Wait. No. They’re mouthguards. No way would I wear one. I’d rather lose a tooth. More conservative mouthguards are worn by players in under-10s junior league match at Bishop Park, Nundah between local side Norths and visitors, Wests Mitchelton. Our grandson, Ethan plays for Norths in a solid win. A teammate is the son of Norths Devils First Grade coach, Rohan Smith, who is back in Queensland after a stint with Leeds in England. Rohan loved his time at Headingley and says all 25 players in his squad were Super League standard and the club also boasted a good academy. Also at Norths Juniors is Rohan’s dad, Brian, the former NRL and Super League coach of renown. It is hilarious seeing Rohan and Brian watching the match from behind the goal posts, at opposite ends of the field.
I have a long chat to Brian, mainly about growing up on the North Coast of New South Wales. Brian, who played his first rugby league in Casino on the Richmond River, now lives at Yamba on the Clarence River. He still gets emotional recalling his parents’ struggles after they were forced off the land by floods in 1967. They ultimately bought a store/Golden Fleece garage in Casino. We mention names familiar to us. One is Reg Boltitude, a radio announcer with 2GF and North Coast ABC Radio. I had some dealings with Reg when I was a young journalist at the Tweed Daily News. Another is Terry O’Brien, a champion half with Casino rugby league.
More than 1,500 Hull Kingston Rovers rugby league fans make the trip to Perpignan for the match against Catalan Dragons. That is believed to be a record travelling troupe from the UK. The local municipal council loves the fact English fans come to the city very second week and spend a stack of money. Perpignan rugby union club often draw bigger crowds than the league, but supporters are nearly all locals, and many of the visiting fans are in for the game, and then straight out, whereas the Poms stay for two or three days, or even longer, some heading for the seaside town of Collioure. Our eldest son, Damien; his wife, Emma and daughters, Parker and Evan are there at the moment. Damien had his haircut in the town the other day, and the barber boasted that he is Sam Tomkins’ hair dresser when he heard Damien was an ex-rugby league player. Tomkins is the English Test fullback who has been playing in Perpignan for seven years.
Marie and I and other neighbours are guests of former-Tasmanians, Peter and Lyn Williamson here at Samford Grove for a Thai banquet, followed by lovely cakes. It is a birthday bash for Peter, who was born in Balby, just outside Doncaster in South Yorkshire. Balby is where the street scene in the Ronnie Barker comedy ‘Open All Hours’ was filmed.
That night I learn of the passing of former Queensland hooker, Gary Prickett. The last time I saw Gary was a Family of League Foundation lunch at Maroochydore. Gary, who has suffered from dementia for a number of years, was there with a carer. A product of Wests Mitchelton, Gary played for Queensland in 1981 from the Palmwoods club in the Sunshine Coast competition, and was Wests Panthers’ hooker when they won the 1976 Brisbane premiership.
Movies that Marie and I have watched in the last week include ‘The Critic’ and ‘Chaplin’
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