September 29, 2024 ·
Tim Booth
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Old Colleagues
Vale Richard “Dick” Gibb
Passed away on the 9th September.
One of our oldest Old Colleagues and one of the clubs most decorated.
A product of the 1956 year at Kings school Dick was one of the clubs
great hookers.
He was part of the 1959 undefeated Kentwell Cup side.
Dick also played in the combined Metropolitan Subdistrict vs Sydney Colts
in that same year.
Again Dick was part of the Kentwell premierships of 1960, in
1962 as vice captain and again winning in 1963 team as captain.
“A tireless worker around the paddock” said captain
Billy Sheehan in the 1959 annual report.
“A consistent and reliable player” is a quote from the 1961 report.
Dick was also a major contributor to the club
off the field being treasurer for three years.
Those were incredibly successful years for the Colleagues
the 1960’s brought about by men of the quality of Richard “Dick” Gibb.
September 24, 2024 ·
Tim Booth
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Old Colleagues
Vale, Tony Clifford
I regret to inform of the passing of Old Colleague
Tony Clifford. Tony aged 79 passed away on Tuesday 17th September after a short battle with brain cancer.
Tony was a stalwart and loyal supporter of the Colleagues,Tony played more than 100 games from the mid 60s to mid 70s, at 5/8 mainly for Whiddon and Judd. Known more for his backline organising skills rather than his running rugby, players of his calibre are the backbone of the club. At the many Long Lunch’s and Old Colleague days I found Tony was always up for a chat, with a smile.
He will be missed!
Our sympathies go out to his family also Old Colleague and brother
Michael
The funeral service will be held at the Palm Chapel at Macquarie Park Cemetery and Crematorium (Cnr Delhi Rd & Plassey Rd, Macquarie Park) at 2.15pm on Thursday 26 September.
Boothie
August 11, 2024 ·
Tim Booth
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Old Colleagues
Dear Colleague
The Long Lunch 2024 photos
are finally up on the clubs website
you can view them here //www.colleaguesrugby.com.au/gallery/long-lunch-2024/
Last home game before the semis this Saturday 17th August. It is also Ladies Day which always hold interest from many “Old Boys” Last chance to see a decent game of rugby against old rivals Lindfield on the balcony at headquarters.
“Go the Colleagues”
Boothie
“From the Archives”
A special historical note of interest from Vance Lowry
(author of Colleagues 80 year book “Sky Blue Winters”)
The Colleagues’ Uniform through the Years.
From the foundation of the club in 1933, the Colleagues jersey has remained the sky blue colour,the shorts navy, and, from the 1950s until the present day, the socks a standard hooped sky blue and navy.
The sky blue colour of the jersey is the same as it was when the club was founded in 1933. It has symbolised the club for 91 years.
One of the early founders of the club, Ewan Pizzey, elaborated on genesis of the jersey in his memoirs: “The club uniform was simple. Epping wore light blue sweaters and Harry Kershaw, also one of the original founders of Colleagues, and originally a player with Epping, had bought a new
one in 1932. The NSW Rugby Union were happy for us to wear light blue as we would be in Eastern Division whilst Epping was in the Northern Division. You must understand, a sweater cost about 7/6d (about 75 cents in today’s money) and Harry, like the rest of us was lucky to have a weekly
income of over one pound (or one dollar). The rest of the uniform was navy blue shorts, navy socks with light blue turndowns or your old school football socks.”
At this time, Australia was enduring a global depression. Money was hard to earn, unemployment was rife and the economic prospects for the future bleak. Harry’s frugality and circumstances had provided a standard uniform code which would resiliently endure for the Blue Giants.
It was not until the 1950s that a club emblem, a shield with the letter C inside the shield, would appear on the jersey. Historical team photos of this era verify this. An unusual set of circumstances prevailed to launch the club emblem that we know today – the rugby ball with the C superimposed on it. Former player, coach, club icon and luminary John Corlis (RIP) related this story to me.
Legend has it that a club member was finding a rather tedious
Colleagues Committee Meeting in 1960 a real test of mental endurance. As his concentration strayed he started to doodle on the Club Report. Low and behold – our club emblem. Motto of the story
“lightbulb moments can germinate from adversity.”
During the 90s a navy blue collar replaced the previous white collar jersey.
The style and texture of the jersey material has also advanced. For many years the jersey consisted of cotton which absorbed sweat. Players purchased their own standard long sleeved jerseys from
the club and could modify them. Using their own sharply honed tailoring techniques, they severing the hot long sleeves. During the 60s and 70s and 80s the “builders labourer look” became very fashionable – jagged edges on the shortened sleeves.
More recently, polyester material has evolved. This is lighter and supposedly cooler for the player. Polyester wicks moisture and keeps body temperature more constant, is quick drying and durable for high impact sports.
Naturally, sponsorships are also now an integral part of grass roots rugby. These logos on player clothing represent the club’s recognition of financial support. They remain a valuable economic resource for Colleagues.
Vance Lowry
(author of “Sky Blue Winters: 80 Years of the Woollahra Colleagues Rugby Union Football Club,
1933 to 2012”).
August 2024
February 8, 2024 ·
Tim Cullen
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Old Colleagues, Weekly news
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Save the date – Long Lunch Friday 31st May 2024
Pull out the diary or block out the email calendar for a day not to be missed. Any eagle eyed Colleagues might see that Waratahs v Reds is on this night at Allianz Stadium (SFS), so roll into that after another cracking Colleagues Long Lunch. Fire up the group chats and lock this date away for a sky blue rugby lovers dream day.
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2024 Pre Season Key Dates
Welcome to 2024! We’ve locked in our trial games and pre season trainings.
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Woollahra Colleagues Membership
Dear Colleagues alumni and current player group,
This year we are offering a special membership package for the 2024 season. The 2024 supporter membership includes;
– Supporters hat
– Colleagues stubby holder
– Bumper sticker
– Three free drink card to be redeemed at any of our home games.
We hope that this will give those that no longer don the boots an opportunity to still be a part of this great club.
Memberships are $60 and can be purchased using the link below. If you want your package to be delivered there is an additional cost of $10 payable at the checkout. Alternatively, if you want to collect we’ll have your package ready at all home games.
Get around this great initiative and we look forward to seeing you down in 2024.
LINK TO PURCHASE:
//square.link/u/JRPVsKyP
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Wanting to get involved in 2024?
We are always keen to get the Colleagues Community involved in any way that we can. If you are interested in getting back down around the club but don’t know how, reach out to Toby Cooke on 0438144874. It could be anything from helping manage a team this year, to helping clear beer stock behind the bar at a home game on a Satruday afternoon.
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Massive thanks to our partners
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May 16, 2023 ·
Tim Booth
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Old Colleagues
Long Lunch and Old Colleagues Day Weekend
Long Lunch is closing in fast Friday 26th May
12.00pm Dockside, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour
Book a seat now, (click on the link below) be a part of a fantastic
afternoon and support the greatest rugby club in the world!
www.trybooking.com/CGSZE
Wake Up, WHAT, Next Day is Old Colleagues Day
Does it get any better !
Saturday 27th Games against old enemy Hunters Hill
Very important game, watch the Blue Giants again repel
last seasons Grand Finalists.
Go the Colleagues
Boothie
February 5, 2023 ·
Tim Booth
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Old Colleagues
February 2023 Old Colleagues News
Vale Gary Connery
A note for Old Colleagues sadly letting you know of the passing of Gary Connelly. Gary passed away peacefully at home on Friday 1st Feb after a prolonged stint of I’ll health.
Gary a vibrant personality played for the club for three years 1969,1970 and 1971. Gary was an outstanding player at hooker for the club representing for Subbies, winning two Kentwell Premierships and two Best and Fairest awards.
Described in the 1970 Annual Report as by far the best hooker in the competition, hard working both in the tight and the open.
Gary attended many of the early long lunches and it easy to witness how much he enjoyed being a Colleague.
On behalf of all Colleagues i wish to extend my deepest sympathy to your family and friends at this time.
Family and friends are invited to attend Garry’s funeral at St Francis Xavier Church, MacKenzie St, Lavender Bay on Tuesday 7th February at 1.30 pm.
Please RSVP:
gmconnery2023@gmail.com
For further funeral details:
gregoryandcarr.com.au
Gregory and Carr
Traditional Funeral Directors
9888 2203
“Go the Colleagues ”
Boothie
June 14, 2022 ·
Tim Booth
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Old Colleagues
OLD COLLEAGUES NEWS JUNE 2022
Vale Julian Buttrose
Sad news, the passing last week of another Old Colleague Julian Buttrose. Julian played with the Colleagues from 1961 to 1964. Julian played on the wing and according to annual reports of that period he was a good finisher scoring many tries and always known to be energetic and involved around the field.
Julian played in the Kentwell, Burke and Whiddon Cups, winning several premierships. Julian was a great bloke, gregarious by nature always inquiring about the workings of the current day Colleagues when attending a long lunch or old Colleague days.
Julian suffered at the hands of that insidious disease motor neurone. I’m told he fought bravely to the end in true Colleague fashion
Sending thoughts and sympathies from the Colleagues family to the Buttrose family and friends.
A private cremation will take place with a memorial to be held at a later date.
Post script: I’m sure that Julian would not mind me mentioning that in the seasons that he played his glamorous sister “Ita” was often on the sidelines and that not unlike ladies day’s of the present the 1960’s Colleagues sideline was the place to be seen!
“Go the Colleagues”
Boothie
May 29, 2022 ·
Tim Booth
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Old Colleagues
VALE BRUCE DALTON
Sadly, I am delivering the news of the death of Old Colleague Bruce Dalton. Bruce passed away on Saturday 21st May after a period of illness. He would have turned 83 on Monday
A product of Christian Brothers Rose Bay, Bruce joined the Colleagues in 1958. He played open side breakaway in the Kentwell Cup for four years (three premierships) also a Subbies rep in 1959 and 1960. He is regarded among the best back rowers that have played for the club. A quiet achiever
whose deeds on the field did all his talking for him. Bruce confirmed his form at Colleagues by journeying across the creek playing with high distinction with the Easts Beasts and later three caps for N.S.W.
Bruce was a rugby man through and through. From Colleagues to Easts then Dundas Rugby then Hornsby. At each stage playing at the highest level then being involved in long coaching stints.
Bruce exemplifies what many of us know, that the game Rugby is special and no surprise that it can become a big part your life.
He was also an exemplar in how he was prepared to give back to the game.
Sending thoughts and sympathies from the Colleagues family to the Dalton family and friends.
Service Details as follows
11.00am Friday 3rd June
Chapel Garden at Castlebrook Memorial Park
712-746 Windsor Rd Rouse Hill
Followed by a graveside service at 12.00
Then Pennant Hills Bowling Club at 2.00pm
RSVP please to Fred Murdoch
sylviarm@optusnet.com.au
0437 845793
“Go the Colleagues”
Boothie
November 24, 2021 ·
Tim Cullen
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Old Colleagues
Long time Collleague and club stalwart Jon Ryan sadly passed away last Wednesday after prolonged illness.
Jon first joined Colleagues in the 1980s, where he quickly became a much-loved member of the club, and he remained a significant contributor right up until COVID-19 halted our season in June this year.
Always happy to lend a hand, whether it be as an extra prop, running the touch, collecting subs or helping out behind the bar – Jon will be dearly missed at Blue Giant Stadium.
A funeral service will be held for Jon on Monday 29 November from 1:15pm – 2:45pm at Macquarie Park Cemetery & Crematorium, Magnolia Chapel, with a viewing from 1pm – 1:15pm.
August 16, 2021 ·
Tim Cullen
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Old Colleagues, Weekly news
| Good afternoon All,
It is with great sadness and frustration that we can confirm what we have all been expecting, our 2021 season has been abandoned.
Equally frustrating is that the NSW Suburban Board have advised that for the first time since 1945, no premierships, Club Championships or individual awards will be awarded.
As a Club, we will work to get everyone together as soon as feasibly possible once lockdown restrictions are lifted.
I can’t thank everyone enough for their tireless efforts and hard work in getting our Club into the commanding position we were in after 8 rounds of rugby. I also can’t begin to express my disappointment for everyone involved. 2021 was certainly proving to be a very successful one for the Club and we will be sure to celebrate this appropriately when the opportunity presents.
To our sponsors for 2021, we are extremely grateful for your ongoing support.
If the Club can be of any assistance to our players, supporters or sponsors in anyway, please reach out to me directly.
Until we can catch up, please stay safe, stay at home and look out for each other by phone, text or a fitness session if possible.
Regards,
Cam |
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Thanks to our Partners
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