July 1, 2014 ·
Tim Cullen
·
Old Colleagues
It is with deep sadness I pass on the news of the death of Charlie Onus
Charlie was the victim of a tragic accident on the family property.
Charlie played in the 1977 Kentwell Cup team as a tough and uncompromising
back rower. He comes from a distinguished rugby family. Both he and his brother Rob
who also played for the Colleagues both played rep footy for NSW. Charlie made an instant impact
playing for the Colleagues Kentwell Cup where his presence in the early round of 1977
enabled Colleagues to gain a convincing win over the previous years Premiers St Ives !
Charlie was the original bushy, what you saw is what you got. He made many close friends
through his short stay with the Colleagues and the tragedy of his demise will come as a great
shock and loss to many of his rugby family in Sydney.
The thoughts of all Old Colleagues are with his family at this time
Funeral details from the Onus Family:
It is with great sadness that we are writing to formally notify you of the memorials that will be held for Charlie Onus,
our dearly loved husband, father, grandfather and brother.
A local reception in memory of Charlie for family and friends will be held at the Gundagai Golf Club,
Thursday 3rd of July 2014 at 2pm, following a private family cremation.
A reception in memory of Charlie will also be held in Sydney at the Royal Sydney Golf Club, Rose Bay,
Monday 7th July 2014 at 2pm. Eulogies will begin at 2.15pm.
June 21, 2014 ·
Tim Booth
·
Old Colleagues
On The Paddock
Just about half way through the season and lots to report since the last old Colleague News. The club got out of the blocks at a tremendous rate starting the season playing bright football throughout the grades and leading the club championship. Records tumbled in the Kentwell Cup game Vs Campbelltown as skipper Dan Kelly kicked 12 from 12 (new record) and Changa scored 5 tries (equals his old record) again ! Unfortunately some cracks in fortress Blue Giant have emerged and a couple of losses in the Kentwell and Burke Cups has seen us slide down the points table. Old Colleague regulars are staying positive and are confident the Kentwell in particular can return to the sort of form we saw at the start of the season. Congratulations to Dan Kelly who was again chosen to Captain the Subbies rep side and “big Tim” Sawyer who also made the squad.
Old Colleagues Day 19th July
Calling on all Old Colleagues, pass the word around. 19th July is back to Blue Giant Park day. Games against Knox Old Boys will be closely fought all day and plenty of food and refreshment will be available. A great opportunity to catch up with mates even organise a reunion, can you believe its 30 years since those great Kentwell and Burke teams of the 1980’s !
Long Lunch Wrap
Fantastic afternoon had by all. Special thanks to all the table captions who took time out to organise a table of blue giants (older version). Support from table captains is an invaluable help to put the lunch together. Thanks also to Club Pres Richard McGrath and Jen Blair and her girls who really spiced up the afternoon ! Not forgetting entertaining guest speaker, Andrew Mehrtens and M.C. supremo Toby Lawson. Supporters of the long lunch will be happy to know that the lunch raised a healthy profit. Old Colleagues wanting to attend the long lunch and for some reason can’t at the last minute should be reminded that Doltone House who operate the Tatt’s function space require accurate numbers one week out from the event. Meaning crying off from the lunch directly effects the bottom line profit. Photos from the lunch can be viewed at www.colleagues rugby.com.au
Colleagues Archive news
Happy to report the club is very close to having a complete set of Annual Reports. Great work from Old Colleague Tim Cullen as these reports have been scanned and digital files are now being kept for prosperity. We do however need the 1987 and 2000 reports to complete the set. Colleagues history “Sky Blue winters” (Vance Lowry) is available for $50 including post by contacting Tim Cullen. Email tncullen@gmail.com or at the club house on home games saturdays.
Vale John (Jack) Mesley
John graduated from Cranbrook School in 1962 and joined Colleagues in 1965 where he represented the club in both the Burke A and B sides. He was a very talented 5/8 with a prodigious boot which he used to great effect. He was a wonderful support player backing up to score many fine tries and then proceeding to convert them. John had very good hands, quick acceleration off the mark and the uncanny ability to straighten the back line and get Colleagues moving.
John played in the Burke A Grand Final which was narrowly won 10-5 by Trinity Old Boys.
He was the last surviving of the Mesley brothers (Peter and Dick had sadly passed earlier) and this trio of gifted sportsman had all represented Cranbrook in both the 1st XV and 1st X1. John passed away after a relatively short battle with cancer.
(Information with thanks to Vance Lowry)
March 23, 2014 ·
Tim Booth
·
Old Colleagues
Long Lunch Friday 9th May
An early heads up for the clubs premier event of the year. The legendary Long Lunch is a major fund raiser for the club. By attending the long Lunch you are showing support for the club that provides many good memories and the creator of many lifelong friendships. Kick off 1.00pm Tattasall’s Club, Elizabeth St (as usual)
Please be aware that tickets to the long lunch are to be prepaid. Speak to your table captain about to reserve a seat and how to pay. Best advice is to get organized and do this earlier than at the last minute. Club Captains please email Jen Blair on jen.blair@iinet.net.au with your table names. Old Colleagues without a table email Richard McGrath on Richard.McGrath@hr-ss.com.au for seat allocation.
The Season Begins
Round one kicks off at home against Beecroft April 5th. The club has been training hard with good numbers, and has also played a very positive trial against Drummoyne in preparation for a strong season.
The second round is away against Old Ignations on the 12th April, no game over Easter and third round is the blockbuster at home also against competition joint premiers Balmain on the 26th April. (Fire up) Each month I will post old Colleagues news and game dates at www.colleaguesrugby.com.au/oldcolleagues
also on www.Linkedin.com
(Colleagues Rugby group) networking site which I encourage Old Colleagues to join.
Diary Dates
Sat 10th May Ladies Day
Sat 19th July Old Colleagues Day
News from the Suburban Rugby Board
In response to concerns from the majority of participants in the Suburban Rugby Competition the Board of the NSWSRU has made a decision to clarify the future direction of the competition.
“The NSWSRU Board is taking steps, phased in over the next two seasons, to reposition the status of Suburban Rugby: NSW Suburban Rugby will be declared amateur from 2015. The payment of players will be prohibited and penalties will be applied for any breach of the amateur status. The NSWSRB Has committed to the guiding principle that the SPIRIT of amateurism will prevail in suburban rugby”. More information can be found at www.rugby.net.au/news
In my opinion and the opinion of all Old Colleagues I have spoken to is that the NSWSRU Board is to be congratulated for taking this stance. I can hear you saying that the non payment of players will be difficult to enforce, however the actions of NSWSRB give clarity and moral guidance to those administrators unsure of the spirit of suburban rugby. (some of my best here)
Go the Colleagues
Boothie
February 19, 2014 ·
bonacipher
·
Old Colleagues
Annual General Meeting Season 2013
Old Colleagues will be happy to know than the Club is in a strong financial position following the 2013 season. Congrats to the club committee, social committee and Dave “Goochie” Gooch and “John Hitcho” Hitchen continued fantastic effort managing the clubhouse and bar) As far as office bearers go
The club returned unanimously President – Richard McGrath and 2013 Honor Cap winning Treasurer – Paul Howard – Secretary Frank Coorey and Club Captain, Henry King. “Kingo” reported that preseason runs on Saturday mornings 8.45am from North Bondi Surf Club had commenced (Old Colleagues welcome) and that many players were returning for 2014 and looking to get their hands on the Club Championship and G.F. silverware. Also at the AGM author of the Colleagues History “Sky Blue Winters” Old Colleague Vance Lowry was awarded Life Membership. The club acknowledges Vance’s long time commitment to the Colleagues and his outstanding effort publishing “Sky Blue Winters”.
“Sky Blue Winters” is available at the club house at home games during the season. Or if you are in the city contact Club President Richard McGrath on 0407 190 962 or richard.mcgrath@hr-ss.com.au
