Marie Ricketts at Mapleton Pub
MONDAY, OCTOBER 20
A TV special about Brian Walsh brings back memories of the Tina Turner era in rugby league in the 1990s. Walsh was behind the ‘Simply the Best’ promotion which still takes some beating. During the Super League war of the mid-1990s he managed players aligned with the Australian Rugby League AND News Ltd backed Super League. There was fascinating vision of Walsh at Rugby League headquarters in Phillip Street with ARL CEO, John Quayle and his off-sider, Greg Mitchell.
Twins Kevin and Kerrod Walters turn 58, but Kevin is the only one mentioned when birthdays are read out on one radio station. Kevin is currently in England as coach of the Kangaroos.
Fellow Samford Grove resident, Geoff Burtenshaw is writing his second love story, which he will self publish. As I slurp my way through a $5 caramel milk shake from the Samford Grove cafe another resident, Mike Gallwey comments that my indulgence reminds him of family holidays on the Gold Coast when they would drive across the border to my home town, Murwillumbah to enjoy a milk shake at the famous Austral Cafe in Main Street. My favourite at ‘The Austral’ was a lime ice cream soda.
It has been revealed that our so called local Independent candidate, Ellie Smith got $315,000 in campaign funding from the Robert Holmes-a-Court owned Climate 2000. As one long term resident of Samford Valley told me before the election, Smith is just a green in Maroon clothing.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21
News Ltd reveal that Melbourne Storm rookie Jonah Pezet is poised to sign a deal which would allow him to play a season with Parramatta and then join the Brisbane Broncos as a long term replacement for Adam Reynolds who is expected to retire at the end of the 2026 season. I thought Coby Black was the man in waiting to replace Reynolds. Pezet’s father, Troy played for Parramatta in 1998 after two seasons with South Queensland Crushers. Troy went to Mt St Patrick’s High School Murwillumbah. I went to Mt St Pats Primary, many years earlier.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22
My wife, Marie and I visit the Mapleton Pub, an establishment I had on my banned list for 40 odd years, ever since Marie and I turned up there one day with her parents, Kevin and Mary Donnelly from Lismore, for lunch. It was 1.15 pm. When we got inside we were told the kitchen closed at 1.30 pm. I pointed out that it was in fact now only 1.20 pm but this smart arse waitress said they operated by the clock on their wall, which said 1.30. I told her I would be alerting the licencing commission to the fact that the pub was opening at 9.50am, 10 minutes before legislated opening times. Marie and her parents and I walked out and dined at the cafe across the road.
Silversea ship Silver Nova is moored off Mooloolaba, the first time I have seen a cruise ship there. There is a dead rat on the beach. Not a good look.
Learn that former Murwillumbah Brothers five eighth, Allan Leslight is recovering after he fell off his truck while sorting out feed for cattle on his Tweed Valley property. Allan was Brothers’ captain-coach in 1970 and promoted me to first grade from under-18s a number of times that year. Allan had a stint with the Roosters in Sydney, and while he had the skills lacked the pace to be a top level player.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 23
Former Australian forward Lew Platz invites Marie and I to join him and a couple of mates as we arrive at Maroochydore Surf Club. One of the blokes with Lew is a farmer from Clifton on the Darling Downs, Lew’s home town. Also at the table is former policeman turned builder, Dennis Abell. We are briefly joined by Ralph Devlin QC who is a prominent member of the surf club. Lew recalls having his nose broken by Brisbane centre, Eric Lilley in a Bulimba Cup (inter-city) clash in 1972, when Lew represented Toowoomba. The next day Lew played club football for Clifton. That’s the way things were back in the 70s. There is a bloke in a Kedron Aussie rules jersey at the club but we ignore him.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24
Learn of the passing overnight of Australian Rugby League Life Member, Kevin Brasch (see Vale Kevin Brasch this website). I spend a large part of the day writing an obtiuary for the QRL website. I also contact former ARL CEO Geoff Carr to see what he thinks about the Australian players possibly wearing black arm bands in tomorrow’s First Test against England at Wembley, partcularly as Kevin has managed Australian sides. Geoff thinks it is a worthy idea and advises me to contact NRL Chairman, Peter V’landy’s PA, Rachel Kramer, which I do. Geoff, who had been to funeral of St George Dragons’ identity, Ray Connolly, thinks that Ken Arthurson and Colin Love might be the only surviving Life Members of the ARL. V’landy’s issues a statement paying tribute to Brasch.
I have a nice chat with Kevin’s daughter, Jacoba Brasch QC, who reminds me that Kevin did National Service in the Navy, and on more than one occasion was helicoptered off vessels to play rugby union for the Navy or the Randwick club side. Some of the other enlisted men were not happy. Kobe also reminds me of the strong friendship Kevin had with former Wallaby halfback Des Connor. ‘”Kevin was thick as thieves with Des and former All Black Don McKay,” Kobe says.
Aso learn of the passing of one of our Samford Grove neighbours Barry McPhee, a delightlful fellow with a wicked sense of humour and a lovely positive outlook on life. His son Peter, played cricket for Tasmania. Happy Hour at Samford Grove is cancelled as a mark of respect.
At Alexandra Headlands Surf Club Marie and I watch races from nearby Caloundra, with a particular interest in Race 1 given our friend Rhonda Howard has a horse, Lukey Blue, named in honour of her son, Luke who drowned off the Sunshine Coast in 2019. Unfortunately Lukey Blue finishes well back. “I knew it was a bad sign when the horse was sweating in the mounting yard,” Rhonda says.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25
Complete idiots in the ground floor of our apartment block have stayed up all night. One bloke laughs non-stop – in an evil, demented sort of way – as both men shadow box and move as if they have ants in their pants. Evidently one or two of these idiots are the sons of the owner of the unit. My last surf is enjoyable although it frustrates me when surf board riders continually ‘stray’ into the flagged area, particularly when the flagged area is as small as it is today. The board riders have the rest of the ocean to themselves, but some still disregard the safety of others enjoying the surf. On this occasion it is an indigenous mum and her little lad who are serial offenders. I give the kid a death stare as his board comes close to me and he hurriedly paddles back to his mum, and then heads into shore. Thankfully she stays in her lane after that. Once again we give the surf club cafe a miss because it is just too busy.
On the way back to Samford Marie and I drop into Ashgove State School to see our eldest grandson, Ethan play cricket. After a dinner of fresh mackeral, Marie and I nap before watching the live telecast of the rugby league Test from Wembley. Our son Damien and his daughter Parker are at the match. The players are not wearing black arm bands. Australia win 26-6. It is not a great game although the Kangaroos’ fullback, Reece Walsh’s display is worth the price of admission. Walsh finished with two tries and is simply electric in his first game on English soil. Former Australian lock, Paul Gallen (Channel 9) says Super League is falling further and further behind the NRL in standards. “Australia could pick three sides to beat England,” he says.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26
The Samoan National anthem is beaufitully sung by a big chap ahead of the rugby league Test against Tonga at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. I spot one Australian jersey in the crowd of 44,682, with the red of Tonga dominating. (Australia’s Jillaroos had beaten Samoa 60-0 in the earlier game). There is a lightning delay with Samoa leading 16-0. Samoa go on to win 34-6. Channel 9 commentator Paul Gallen says he has never heard a more vocal crowd. The crowd is the biggest for a Test – not involving Australia and played in Australia, since Great Britain and France met in the 1957 World Cup, at the Sydney Cricket Ground when 50,077 turned up to watch the likes of Gilbert Benausse, Jacques Merquey (France); Billy Boston and Mick Sullivan (Britain) strut their stuff. Today’s game is so much better than the one dished up at Wembley, despite its one sided nature. An ABC newsreader refers to Wembley Test as the Rugby Ashes – a Victorian no doubt. Prominent English sports photographer, Andrew Varley from Yorkshire tells me he fears Rugby League in the UK will lose the SKY broadcast money. “God knows what will happen then,” he says.
American actress, June Lockhart has died aged 100. I mainly recall her from the TV series Lost in Space.
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