Old Colleagues

Old Colleagues News – June 2015

June 18, 2015    ·    Tim Booth    ·    Old Colleagues

OLD COLLEAGUES DAY

Old Colleagues Day is Saturday week, Saturday 27^th June and should have been in everyones diary underlined and called “big day”.The Blue Giants are taking on the high profile and top of the table Balmain Rugby Club.

Old Colleagues should report to Headquarters between 1.00 and 2.00pm for refreshment, top rugby nosh, great rugby and bravado!! At half time in the main game approx 4.00pm a toast will be proposed in the club house for absent friends with special regard for the late Bruce Diggle. Should be a great afternoon catching up with mates and watching the best that Suburban Rugby can offer.

Late breaking news hopefully Eddy Radford will be in attendance making his way down the coast after receiving a release for the afternoon from the Kincumber Bowling Club !

The big screen will be in operation in the Clubhouse for the early Super Rugby game. Those not going to the main game can head to Club major sponsor The Woollahra Hotel and watch the Waratahs in action on any number of TV’s.

SEASON HALF DONE ?

Hello, I think I’m suffering from a serious dose of not enough Blue Giant rugby. With a deferred washout round from May (now due 1^st August against Iggys at home) and a Kentwell Game deferred (Date To Be Advised) against Brothers (A.K.A CBOBS) in June due to rep duties from both teams, plus the bye weekend just gone 13^th June I’m entitled to feel unloved with just two Kentwell Games in a month.

While I’m on the subject of Kentwell games, massive disappointment was felt for the Kentwell team in the game against Drummoyne.

The boys led for most of the game only to let a loose pass go with a minute to go that found a Red sprinting 80 metres to score!! Ouch !!! (but as your coach would say “plenty of positives to come out of the game”, “ha we’re all still hurting coach) It was a great game, from the Colleagues except for the result however I am confident they can bounce back. (watch this space)

Still on season 2015 its an interesting proposition at the almost halfway mark that the Colleagues are running third on the Club Championship. It is a complicated formula to calculate where we really stand. I would suggest we must consider we have to play catch up full round, then a catch up Kentwell game and then subtract the bye round (no points), plus what is happening to the rest of the top teams!!! The Professor Sumner Miller catch phrase comes to mind “Why.. is.. it.. so ?” (Best if you say it slowly in a funny voice)

CONGRATULATIONS ZONE

Congratulations to Subbies Executive Director Mark Green who was this month honoured with a presentation to mark 20 years service to the NSW Suburban RUFC. Well done Greenie a great bloke and equally good administrator.

Congratulations in May to Alan Roberts father of Old Colleague the Late Ben Roberts who accepted an award presented to him by 2002 Bali Tour leader Old Colleague Lachlan Benson and President Richard McGrath on behalf of the Indonesia Rugby Football Union. (IRFU) The Late Ben Roberts who was killed in the 2002 Bali bombings has now been inducted along with other Indonesian based players killed at that time into the Indonesia Rugby Union Hall of Fame.

Old Colleagues should take the time to note the Ben Roberts Players Player Honour Board that is proudly displayed in the Club’s home change room. The losses and the horror of the 2002 Bali Bombings are remembered in true Colleagues style at the start of each season with the now legendary Bondi Tens Competition.

Congratulations to (circa) 1980’s Old Colleague Mick Halliday (who spent his cricket career playing for Old Cranbrookians) who will been inducted into the Legends of City & Suburban Cricket at a dinner at Tatts 16th July. (Mick’s scored more runs than a TARGET’ mannequin stocking) Well done Mick from all the Colleague cricketers who had to rescue the six stitcher from the Rose Bay Bowling Club. LOL

Congratulations to the king of Cottosloe (WA Rugby) Mike “Trembles” Twemlow who reports (his much better looking than her father) daughter Penelope has recently been appointed CEO of Energy Skills Queensland. Her appointment starts the day after his birthday !! 22^nd June, easy on the celebrations Mike !!

OTHER NEWS

ANDO IN TOWN

Old Colleague, John Anderson (From John Anderson Trophy fame) will be over from the States in July for about 3 weeks. Ando and his wingman Tuba Kirkwood (making the rip from Cowra) will be down at the Club for the games against Knox on the 25^th July. Ando is looking forward to catching up with any Old Colleagues with a comparable home game leave pass. (i’m in)

WHO’S WHO’S IN THE ZOO ?

On the promotion and relegation front looks as though Hunters Hill are making a fair fist of second division and could possibly make that leap back into the Kentwell Cup. While we are talking Hunters Hill there is a proper barney going on with their council about a plan of management for their grounds including a small club house positioned between their two grounds. One HH counsellor was quoted as saying “They only want a Club House to stand around and drink beer !!” We wish them well in their endeavours Cheers !

Long Lunch Photos are up and can be found at

//www.colleaguesrugby.com.au/photos-2015/

FIGHTING FIVES (insert soap box here)

If I was a crusty old rugby cynic I would be asking why in the Kentwell Cup prestigious NSW Suburban first division (a compulsory 6 team comp) are Balmain, Brothers, Knox and most times Drummoyne each unable to field a 5^th grade team. When this situation occurs the penalty against each offending club is a loss and 5 club championship points awarded to the opposition. If the quality of a club is measured by the strength of its lower grades then why not a stronger penalty for not fielding a 5^th grade team ??

HOUSE KEEPING

Request for Old Colleagues to update their details or details of an Old Colleague who they played with or know. The Clubs website is designed so that details ie: email, phone, and era participation to be easily updated by Colleagues. Check out who you played with and if you can help by updating their details this will continue our efforts to track down Colleagues far and wide.

Go to

//www.colleaguesrugby.com.au/old-colleagues-member-list/

MERCHANDISE on www.colleaguesrugby.com.au

The Clubs history,“Sky Blue Winters” is available through the clubs web site or at the club house at home games during the season. Also a new range of merchandise can be purchased through the website. A fantastic present for that special Blue Giant who has almost everything.

Any news items Colleagues feel worthy of a mention in this almost monthly newsletter please shoot it through to me at tim_b@bigpond.net.au

Go The Colleagues

Boothie

Old Colleagues News – May 2015

May 28, 2015    ·    Tim Cullen    ·    Old Colleagues

April/MayMadness

Vale Bruce Diggle

May 12, 2015    ·    Tim Cullen    ·    Old Colleagues

Dear Colleague

it is with sadness that I pass on the news that Old Colleague, Life Member and Club legend Bruce Diggle passed away this morning.

Bruce a champion of the Judd Cup scrum played from the mid 60s through the 70s notching up 300 games. A proud rugby hooker he always told me he could still remember every tight head he took from the opposition.(All 300 games !!!) Bruce was the imbodiment of the Colleagues spirit that pervaded the club in the old club house during the 60’s and 70’s. Some of the best memories of the old club house were a choir of Colleagues belting out a rugby tune as Bruce hammed the keys of the old upright piano. (eg Ive got friends of every kind)
For now hes a legend lost but in time a legend forever. Thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Committal service will be held at Eastern Suburbs Crematorium, South Chapel, 12 Military Rd, Matraville, NSW, Australia on Monday, 18th May 2015 at 2:00pm.

Go The Colleagues
Boothie

Old Colleagues News – April 2015 Long Lunch Update

April 28, 2015    ·    Tim Cullen    ·    Old Colleagues

OLD COLLEAGUE NEWS APRIL 2015 LONG LUNCH UPDATE

Old Colleagues News – February 2015

February 15, 2015    ·    Tim Cullen    ·    Old Colleagues

HAPPY BLUE YEAR TO ALL  !!!

Old Colleagues News – Grand Finals

September 16, 2014    ·    Tim Cullen    ·    Old Colleagues

Where are those Blue Giants ??? Over the last month with your help we have updated our contact details for over 200 Old Colleagues. We still need your help to find the remaining 700 (50%) who have played or coached at the club over the last 40 years. To make it really easy, we have created a web page with the list of the Colleagues players organised by decade. Click to view Old Colleagues List Take a trip down memory lane and while you are there just click on a name you have contact details for. A welcoming email will be sent to them and they can unsubscribe if they prefer. Go the Blue Giants !!! (Tim Cullen – Old Colleagues Committee)

Old Colleagues News – Semi Finals

September 1, 2014    ·    Tim Cullen    ·    Old Colleagues

Your Help is Needed – Where’s Wally ? We need your help ! The club has lost contact details of more than 70% of the 1400 people who have played or coached at the club over the last 40 years. The club has invested in improving the website, outbound email and now needs your help to find the “missing Colleagues”. To make it really easy, we have created a web page with the list of the Colleagues players organised by decade and whether we have their email contact details. All we need you to do is review your decade(s) of players and click on the name and enter the email address of any contacts you may have. A welcoming email will be sent to them and they can unsubscribe if they prefer. Please set yourself a target of finding and reconnecting 5 missing Blue Giants. Click here to see and update member details

Old Colleagues News – August #2

August 15, 2014    ·    Tim Cullen    ·    Old Colleagues

Change of games venue for Saturday 16th.
Games on at McKay Oval Centennial Park
This weekend Saturday 16th August is the make-up game against Drummoyne which was a washout from way back in Round 9. With just three games to go before the finals the Colleagues are on the march to T.G.Milner. As usual the dirty reds will be strong opposition right through the grades.

Games this weekend are at McKay oval in Centennial park. Currently Woollahra Oval is under renovation preparing for the Bingham Cup to be played there at the end of August. www.binghamcup.com.au for details.
Plenty of parking available, no seating but there is expected to be blue jerseys crossing try lines all afternoon. Please check www.colleaguesrugby.com.au this Friday afternoon for game times.

After the games, visit the Blue Giants Room at Johnny Ryan’s Woollahra Hotel (you could even walk there) for a few speeches, $5 Carlton’s, half priced meals before watching the first Bledisloe Cup game. Dose it get any better than that!

Go the Colleagues (and the Wallabies)

Boothie

Old Colleagues News – August #1

July 28, 2014    ·    Tim Booth    ·    Old Colleagues    ·    Comments are disabled

Ladies Day Saturday 2^nd August.

Often preferred as a day to get together by the Old Colleagues. The delightful scenery on show around the club at this time of year seems to be a big attraction. Ladies Day is legendary and has been sponsored forever by Old Colleague Angus Logan. Thanks again to Jan Logan Jewellery, did you know they are in David Jones Castlereagh St Store as well as Double bay ? Check out the web site www.janlogan.com

Its been 25 years since the Burke of 1989 held the silver wear high. The band is getting back together for a reunion this Saturday (yes on Ladies Day), so I’m expecting a few laughs and plenty of refreshments on the balconey, could be a big day all round. For anyone choosing to watch the football expect fireworks right through the grades. The Blue Giants are preparing an old fashioned ambush for St Pats and its 1^st vs 2^nd in most of the grades. Bring it on !

Old Colleagues Day Story

Very enjoyable day had by all Old Colleagues Day vs Knox. Plenty of tough rugby played during the day, and it got even tougher in the clubhouse afterwards. Old Colleagues having to repel first the current Colleagues and then the Kiwi Colleagues in sculling races and teaching them both a lesson in that practiced art form !!

I had a call from Old Colleague Peter Ball who tells the story of how his father Aubrey Ball (Colleague legend and Life Member) had a great friend who played for Knox during the 1960’s. Aubrey during that time donated a perpetual trophy to Knox. For many years the Aubrey Ball trophy was presented to the Knox Best and Fairest player for the season. Aubrey not only generous but also a sense of humor !!

Great to see Old Colleague Geoff Travers on the balconey belting out instructions to his son Bill playing in the Burke Cup. Young Bill Travers looks to have all the skills of his dad plus a few more !

VALE: PETER DALEY

Peter sadly passed away on July 17^th.

He played with Colleagues in the late 1960’s. Peter rapidly earned the name ‘Double Up Daley’ since his willingness to act as a reserve after he had played a full game was legendary. On one particular Saturday afternoon, after running out in Judd Cup, he managed to play in Whiddon, Burke and Kentwell. Needless to say he was quick to accumulate 100 games for the club.

A hard running centre/ winger, Peter scored many fine tries and won a Premiership in 1968 in Whiddon Cup.

As an accountant, Peter was a financial wizard and, with the help of his father Larry, transformed takings from the bar from a dismal deficit into a prosperous surplus in a very short time.

Peter was President of Queenscliff surf club for 15 years and used his administrative acumen, together with his skill as an all-round waterman, to great effect. He was also a great mentor and role model to the younger members.

It was a true testament to his popularity when over 1000 people, including various eminent dignitaries, attended his funeral service at St Mary’s Catholic Church at Manly on Friday July 25^th.

We offer our sincere condolences to his wife Cherie, daughter Kellie and son Damien as well as the entire Daley family.

RIP ‘pee wee,’ You are sorely missed.

(Tribute by Vance Lowry)

The French Chef” back in Paddington

Old Colleague and 1996 Kentwell Cup winning hooker Guillaume Brahimi will open the doors of his new restaurant – known simply as ‘Guillaume’ – on August 2. The new restaurant was formerly home to the age-old Darcy’s Restaurant. The menu promises to stick to the classical French cuisine Brahimi is celebrated for. The Guillaume success story is an inspiring one for all Colleagues, a great supporter of the Colleagues we wish him all the best in his new venture.

www.guillaumes.com.au

Marto Married”

Son of Old Colleague Mark Martin and brother of Old Colleague Will Martin, Old Colleague, self made England based publishing guru Tim Martin married Sarah Jones in the South of France this week. (A fair distance from Willow Tree near Quirindi) Congrats Tim and continue the good work keeping those poms on their toes. (Except for the misses that is)

Go the Colleagues

Boothie

Old Colleagues News – July

July 15, 2014    ·    Tim Booth    ·    Old Colleagues    ·    Comments are disabled

Old Colleague News July 2014

Old Colleagues Day Saturday 19^th July.

Old Colleagues to assemble at headquarters for the games against Knox Old Boys. All games are critical for Club Championship points and all games look to be hotly contested. The Club’s players are always highly appreciative of the support on the sidelines from Old Colleagues and a big crowd of Old Colleagues really promotes a home ground advantage.

Its also 30 years since the 1984 Kentwell and Burke Cup teams were victorious in their Grand Finals at Concord Oval. What better way to toast these great victories other than Old Colleagues Day.

“OLD COLLEAGUES DAY”

The Old Colleagues gathered, eighty years of stories to tell,

Of blood and beer and bravery that made the home crowd yell.

They came from near and far, with one reason all the same,

To remember that great club where they played the running game.

There was Jackson and Murchison from nineteen thirty three,

Then Storch and Barraclough in the early days they had the key.

Corlis, Noice and Harriden the club sings their reign,

and Anderson and Edwards in the eighties,

they made the Colleagues name.

They assembled to watch the battle, the Kentwell Cup at stake,

Young and old together a tradition there’s to make.

The sky blue of the Colleagues, against the colours of the round,

It was young and old together no backward step to be found.

And when the final whistle blows the curtain on the day,

When dust and dirt and referee has had the final say,

The Colleagues stand there tall having given to the core,

And then and there together “old and new would count the score”.

And later in the clubhouse when the air is running hot

And the opposition captain cries “Colleagues have got the lot”

An Old Colleague will tell the tale of the one that got away.

Cause its possible they say to beat the Colleagues at their game,

but with old and new together be certain;

“The spirit remains the same”

N.S.W. Suburban Rep Game Vs QLD Subbies.

John (Wal) Corlis and John Noice (Noicey) were both invited by subbies to hand out the Jerseys before the above fixture the curtain raiser to the Wallabies Vs France game at the S.F.S. Both Wal and Noicey are both former coaches of the subbies rep team, with Wal being the first ever coach of that team in 1966 which Noicey actually played in ! They must have done the trick as N.S.W. Captained by Colleagues Captain Dan Kelly romped home with an ten try defeat of QLD, 60-19. It was a all Colleague affair with N.S.W retaining the Barraclough Shield.

Go the Colleagues

Boothie