That's The Way It Was

Episode 23 – The History of the Rugby League Players Association

Click the link below for the interview:

https://youtu.be/NnuGexPN-XY

The Rugby League Players Association plays an integral part , NOT just in the future and well being of Rugby League players, BUT, in the future of the game of Rugby League.

THAT wasn’t always the case ! There was a time when Rugby League players had NO say, not just in the future of the game, but in their own personal future’s.

That was, until one player came along and said ; “ It just wasn’t right, and I set out to change it”.

Acknowledgements;

-Braham Dabsheck has written a number of books and articles on industrial relations and the law in Rugby League. His latest work is titled – ’40 Years of The Rugby League Players’ Association’ .

-Sydney Morning Herald

-Rugby League News

-Big League Magazine

-From little things, big things grow – Paul Kelly ( 1991 Mushroom Records).

Episode 22 - The History of the Rugby League World Cup

Click the link below for the interview:

https://youtu.be/0UtygiqT7u4

PARIS – FRANCE – April 1931.

In an office at 24 Drouot Street in the Montmarte district a group of men have gathered and are involved in passionate conversation.

Its been an unusually warm spring in France and Parisian’s are out in the cafes and bars listening to the songs of Lucienne Boyer, whilst discussing the politics of Pierre Laval and the fashions of Coco Chanel.

But the men who have gathered at 24 Drouot Street , amongst them Jean Galia and Victor Breyer, are not here to discuss music, politics or fashion. They’re here to discuss a dream they have.

91 years later, the dream they spoke of that night – a Rugby League World Cup – is about to stage its 16th edition.

Acknowledgements:

-Tony Collins is the author of a number of books, his latest book is ‘ Rugby League – A People’s History’. He is also the host of Rugby Reloaded ( www.rugbyreloaded.com )
-Sydney Morning Herald
-Rugby League Project
-‘The Rugby League Song’ – Danny McMaster ( 1981).

Episode 21 - My life as a Canberra Raider

Click the link below for the interview:

https://youtu.be/uLyiShLWcjg

On April 4th 1982, a young boy attends a Rugby League match at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan. It’s the beginning of a journey – A journey that is on-going.

It’s a journey that has produced magnificent highs and terrible lows.
But, more than anything, it’s a journey that had produced ever lasting memories. Memories that will last with that young boy for the rest of his life.

What better way to record those memories, than to write a book. Matt Cleary has detailed his life as a Rugby League supporter in his new book – The Milk – which details his experiences as a supporter of the Canberra Raiders for the last 40 years.

Acknowledgements:

- Matt Cleary is a lifelong supporter of the Canberra Raiders. He is the author of the book called "The Milk". He is also the host of a Canberra Raiders newsletter - themilk.substack.com

- To get a copy of Matt's book go to:
www.themilkbook.com

- Sydney Morning Herald

- Rugby League Project

- "The Viking Clap" - 2019 Grand Final V Eastern Suburbs

RIP Johnny R***r. To hear a great interview about the R***r family from 2020 with Barry Ross, please click here https://youtu.be/ryYJxQyNIp0

Episode 20 - The History of Rugby League in PNG

Click the link below for the interview:

https://youtu.be/x7pCJvXc4a0

On the 16th of September 1975, a ceremony is held in Port Moresby – Papua New Guinea. Diplomats from Australia and the United Nations have gathered to witness the birth of a new Nation. As with any new born, Papua New Guinea has its high points and its low moments.
But as the diplomats flew out of Port Moresby in their jet airliners, another bird was just arriving.
For the game of Rugby League, this bird was paradise!

Acknowledgements;

-David Silovo is a historian and an independent match observer for the Digicel Cup. He also serves on the Port Moresby Rugby League Judiciary.
-PNG Post Courier
-PNG Attitude – various articles by Keith Jackson.
-Tom Adamson – Qld/PNG Rugby League - https://www.qldpngrugbyleague.com
-Rugby League News
-Wikipedia
- PNG Hunters – team song

* Apologies, there were telecommunication problems during the interview.

Episode 19 - Rugby League's highest tryscorer - Brian Bevan.

Click the link below for interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSNj71t0f6g

Thin - Balding - Awkward - Ungainly
A chain smoker who would use sticky tape to put padding on his elbow and knees.
These are some of the adjectives and phrases used to describe a man who will remain in the history books of Rugby League for eternity.

Acknowledgements;
-Neil Ormston is the co-ordinator of The Rugby League Record Keepers Club.
https://www.rugbyleaguerecords.com
-‘The Great Bev: The Rugby League career of Brian Bevan.’ - Gate ( London League Publications 2002 ).
-Warrington Rugby Heritage – https://www.warringtonrugbyheritage.com
-Warrington Guardian
-Rugby League News
-Wikipedia
-‘Living on a thin Line’ – The Kinks ( Arista 1985).

You can visit our website at

thatsthewayitwas.org.au

Episode 18 - We Can't Be Beaten - South Sydney - 1999-2001

Click the link below for interview:

https://youtu.be/qYavHFGQBgQ

The South Sydney Rugby League club has had a consistent and very successful presence in the game of Rugby League since its inception in 1908.
Sure, there have been some difficult periods, BUT, South Sydney faced its greatest challenge in the late 1990s, when a combination of greed, power and ambition would remove the Rabbitohs from the Rugby League competition.

What followed next, was an epic battle between an army of businessman, lawyers and the media on one side – AND, on the other side, an army that no-one bothered to listen to! This army, were the supporters of the South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club.

Acknowledgements:
-Martin and Jerry Lissing are life-long South Sydney supporters. They helped to establish the Group 14 supporters organisation and served on the Board of South Sydney. They helped organise the documentary series called – ‘ Tales of Re-instatement’.
-‘They Wear the Red and Green’ – Ryder ( Longueville Books -2009).
-Con Saroukis – ‘Greeks for Souths’
-‘Tales of Re-instatement’ – South Sydney TV
-‘We can’t be Beaten’ – Rose Tatto ( Alberts Studio-1982).

Episode 17 - The history of the Maher Cup

Click the link below for interview:
https://youtu.be/7LznQop6lyU

On May the 4th, 1920, a man arrives in Tumut, NSW to become proprietor of the Wynyard Hotel. With wife, Veronica and three young children, the family quickly becomes involved in the social and sporting life of the town. Along the way, he buys an “Old Tin Pot”. Little does he realise, that this “Old Tin Pot” – the Maher Cup – would play a significant part in the social/economic and sporting life of the South-Western slopes and the Riverina.

Acknowledgements:

- Neil Po***ck is the author of - The Maher Cup - A Social History of Football in Group 9 - 1920-1971.
- mahercup.com.au
- "The Maher Cup: March Song" - written by W.H. Howard & performed by Choir of the Southern Cross, Young.

Episode 16 - Western Suburbs 1978-1981
Click the link below for interview:
https://youtu.be/O2dqsJy-Jy0

In 1978, Western Suburbs appoint a former school teacher to coach its !st grade team. What follows is a period of great success for the Magpies. BUT, not everyone is happy with the new coaches teaching methods. What follows for the game of Rugby League is a massive change in how the game is governed. To make these changes, Rugby League's version of Wyatt Earp rides into town.

Acknowledgments:

- Paul Oliver is a lifelong Western Suburbs supporter and the Director of the documentary – ‘The Fibros & The Silvertails’.
- Tom Brock Lecture – Booklet 7 – ‘The Great Fibro versus Silvertails War’. Masters (2005)
- Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood – Lester (Playright Publishing) 1995
- 60 Minutes (Channel Nine) – 9 /9/1979 ‘The Gladiators’ – Ray Martin
- Sydney Morning Herald
- Rugby League Project

Episode 15 - The History of Rugby League in the USA.

Click the link below for interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRwPT0syhGY

Rugby league has travelled a long & arduous road in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Many brave people have tried to clear a pathway for the game's success. However, all too often, obstacles and disputes have prevented a star spangled future for the game of Rugby League in the USA. Is this about to change?
Acknowledgements:
- Brian Lowe started to cover rugby league in 2005 after migrating from Brisbane, Australia. He has worked for the American National Rugby League and the United States Rugby League. He is the only Rugby League writer in America and is the producer and presenter of Rugby League Planet - https://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/

- “Star Spangled Banner” – Hendrix (Woodstock, 1969)
- Rugby League Project