E-mails & Letters 2012

Gerard Fogarty
via LinkedIn messages

On February 2, 2013 1:30 AM, Paul Horne wrote: -------------------- Gerard,
I've been keeping a page on you on the Old Collegians' website and updated it today when Jeremy Allport pointed out your recent Australia Day Honour.
Are you fine with the webpage under your name?
Regards, Paul Horne

On 02/03/13 2:42 AM, Gerard Fogarty wrote: -------------------- Hi Paul. Thanks for the work on the website.
I had a great time looking up some people. Bought back great memories. I graduated and was posted to Adelaide in late 81. In early 82, living in the Officers' Mess at Woodside, I met a guy who learned I had just returned from playing for the Australian Army. I can't remember who he was, but he invited me down to play for Old Collegians.
I played half a game for 2nds and was taken off and asked to play for Ists. I played the rest of 82 as 5/8 with Lachie Andrews as halfback and with Sean Beaton moved to inside centre. We won the premiership in 82.
I still recall arriving early for training to listen to Ben Perkins' lectures about what a waste of my life being in the Army was. I played 1st grade in 83 and then left Adelaide in 84' returning in 89.
I played a few more years in 1st grade then got posted away again.
I returned in 2000 and my son played juniors (5 years old).
Great club. Very privileged to be a part of it. I even found a photo of me standing next to Sean Beaton in your 1982 page listening to a speech from John Davies.

Sent from LinkedIn for iPad -------------------- Peter Fitzsimons wrote a bit about Ben Perkins in John Eales' biography along the lines of being brilliant but seen to be strange.
I went out to see Len Perkins, Ben's father, some years back just before Len died. I got a few gems from him.
I found an article written by Ben summarising the talents or otherwise of the 1986 team, including that of Sean Beaton.
He had a way of writing.
You're on the 1982 page? On http://www.oldcolls.org.au/photos/socialphotos/album/1982/index.html ?
Where are you in the photo?

Yes I read it years ago and even spoke to John Eales about Ben. I was fortunate to meet John Eales several times in his last year playing in 2001. Ben was a brilliant player.
I am in image 6/6. Standing on left hand side of Sean Beaton. Blue jeans, light blue top and almost empty beer glass in my left hand.
Cheers

Ah, yes, I recognise you.....
The empty beer's a worry.
Are you okay for me to use your recollections on the website?
You're also on the team photo 9/14 on http://www.oldcolls.org.au/photos/teamgallery/album/1980s/index.html
... Paul