News 1987

From the Tregenza Times, 26th November 1987:

Congratulations to Anna and Tony Bew on the arrival of a daughter - Emily Jane.

Planning for the Children's Christmas party is underway and it has been confirmed that Father Christmas will attend despite his rigorous schedule. Unfortunately the camel is otherwise committed and will not be present.

The Bath Fund still needs money - drop any spare change in the metal tube at the bar - all contributions welcomed.

The Grand Prix afternoon at the Club was enjoyed by those who attended. Only a small band of enthusiasts were present for the race but things livened up later in the day. One of the highlights of the day was the appearance of Grandpa Finn who abandoned the Club for most of the winter. Very sensibly he stayed home and kept warm so we now assume that his reappearance signals the beginning of the long awaited summer months

If you are at loose ends on Thursday evenings, come along to the Club and enjoy a sundowner and a sunset. Nibbles of various sorts are provided and the company is good.

The Gala Day on November 22 was well attended and proved a popular way to end the 50th Anniversary celebrations. The weather was kind and by the end of the day, a number of people were sporting sunburns. One of the most popular events was an e throwing competition - no, the eggs were not hard bailed! Pat Klynsmith deserves a special medal for endurance and patience. Having discovered he was short a couple of pegs after starting to erect the tea tent, Hugo left her holding the centre pole while he went to get them - and returned some twenty minutes later. Sure enough, Pat was still there, faithfully and patiently holding the centre pole.

BAR ROSTER

The bar will not be open an December 27 and will only open on January 3 if there is sufficient demand. If you cannot do bar duty an the day you are rostered please arrange to change with someone else on the list.

 

From the Tregenza Times 10th November 1987:

Don't forget it or you'll regret it! The end of the 50th celebratory year comes on Sunday 22 November with a day for all the family. Events start at 11 a.m. and go on indefinitely. There will be games and races for the children, barbecue facilities, a tea tent and the bar opens.at 4. Bring along your snags, friends, chops, children, potato salad or whatever and make a day of it. The theme is the Roaring '20s so come dressed fit to kill and see if you can win the fashion prize.

GRAND PRIX DAY Sunday 15 November

Did you forget to book your executive box, pavilion, East Terrace house or tree in time to ensure an 'on the spot' view of those magnificent men in their motoring machines? And now you just can't get one despite all your best efforts? Well - don't lose heart for we can offer you an alternative.

VROOM VROOM right down to your favourite watering hole and watch the 1987 Grand Prix in total comfort on a larger than life TV screen.(Screen will be there an Saturday Nov. 14 as well - cricket barbecue night).

Be amongst sympathetic friends while all your bets go wrong. Yes ? thanks to Jane Cushing's sharp eyes the Club will have a big screen this year. On top of that the barbie will be on so bring along some tucker or if you are going to the 'real race', stop by later, watch the video replays and discuss the crashes with the rest of us. Bar opens at 1 p.m. and closes at the usual time ? whatever that is!

 

From the Tregenza Times, 10th November 1987

A very special thank you to Dr. Kerr-Grant who has been the OCRFC Patron for a long time. His support and interest has been appreciated and it was with considerable regret that the Management Committee accepted his resignation.

Thanks to Cyril Campion for organising the 50th Anniversary jumpers and to Chris Cushing for installing the fan and better lighting in the kitchen.

Congratulations to the Burgess family on the arrival of a son last week.

Congratulations to our hockey girls - Sue McEntaggert was named the most important player in C2 grade and Jenny Robinson scored the honour of being named best player C2 grade. Jenny also won the 1987 points system count.

And last but certainly not least - thanks to the house cleaning team who braved the excessive heat on November 1 to tidy up the club house. Everyone knew it was reasonably hot because the tropical Kershaws wore shorts and finally seem to have hung up their long johns and track suits for the season. Despite the presence of a large spider (was he wearing boots?) in the kitchen, Jill Allen, Margaret Paterson and Barbara Finn sorted out that area while Danjo, Peter Allen, Phil Evans, Sam Durland and friends, Hollie Kershaw, John Davies and Steve Walker removed months of grubby handprints and accumulated dirt from the.windows. John Davies gets special mention for finally solving the problem of how to clean those horrid glass triangles just below roof level. While Chris Cushing did maintenance work, Jane Cushing and Paul Kershaw cleaned the photograph collection. The Allens polished the silver and Steve Walker did the end of year fireplace cleanout. Crannas had already devoted hours to cleaning the changerooms so were exempted from the Sunday effort although Hamish's car preferred to hang around the carpark and watch the others work.

Within two hours or so most of the heavy work had been done, thus proving that many hands make light work. Of course, it was probably all due to the excellent organisation and supervision given to the project by Benjy and Tessa. In case the cleaners (especially the window team) thought their efforts had gone unnoticed, it should be brought to their attention that several people commented favourably on being able to view the moon through clean glass the night of the AGM.

Commiserations to Peter and Jill Allen following their demolition derby type accident on November 7. While Peter's car is not in the best of health, both Allens came out of the incident reasonably unscathed except for the odd bruise or three.

 

From the Tregenza Times 27th October 1987

We have received a letter from Mr. Geoffrey Bean advising that he recently retired as Headmaster of Prince Alfred College. He has extended his best wishes for the future success of OCRFC and we, in turn. wish him success and happiness in his new life.

Weather continues to hamper installation of the lights on the playing field - the holes keep filling up with water as the ground is wet even if the skies aren't. Seems our cricketers are a bit wary of said holes and will be placing covers over them before matches. At $22 each they have no wish to lose halls down the holes. Wives of missing cricketers are advised to check the holes after each match

The bar will be open on Sundays from 5:30 p.m. provided a new roster of volunteer barmen can be drawn up. If you can help out for one Sunday evening, please contact Dan McCarten and have your name put on the list. Doing a Sunday volunteer bar duty is a pleasant. relaxed (not to mention chatty, amiable, etc.) way to do your bit for the Club so, could we please have a long list of volunteers?

Congratulations to Pam and Alistair Young on the arrival of a son. Weighing in at 101bs. 1 oz. (4.5 plus kqs. according to my calculator) the young Young should be recruited immediately to add some much needed weight to the scrum.

 

From the Tregenza Times 20th October 1987:

When you are down with whatever the latest flu around town is and feel you are dying it is hard to keep your sense of humour going. Perhaps these little tidbits will help cheer you up.

Wife of prominent management committee member landed in hot water recently for allegedly misplacing some OCRFC accounts payable. After several hours of searching and telephoning the bills were found exactly where they should be - in the hands of the treasurer. Does this possibly mean that, by way of amends and making peace in the household, said member may have to renegotiate his contract with the family dog?

A little bird relates a story about a certain member who had an unfortunate encounter with his desk drawer and was convalescing after a constricting navel experience. Hopefully the convalesence is now over.

While preferring to die quietly from the flu, a certain member was hastily preparing to go out for an unavoidable official function. Unable to find a certain pair of brown shoes (the only ones that would do) he instituted a last minute search, dragging flu-ridden spouse from her sick bed to help. Five minutes of furious searching yielded nothing positive - until said member looked at his feet. If they had a doghouse, he'd be in it!

And who, for heaven's sake, went to the airport to collect his wife on Sunday when her flight wasn't scheduled to arrive until Monday?

 

From the Tregenza Times 9th September 1987

The followinq letter comes from the winner of the 1936 raffle. We thought all OCRFC members would like to read it.

To Old Collegians,20 August, 1987

Just a note to say that the prize trip to Penang and Bangkok was superb. My mother and I enjoyed it immensely and have come back with a good tan and a new 'wardrobe'. Have enclosed some Malaysian money for the next prize winner and also a card from a great leather shop in Bangkok. Regards, Erica Bagshaw.

We hear an the grapevine (or 'drum' as I prefer to call it) that the 4ths have a habit of consuming a bottle of port at half time. Seems there weren't too many thirsty players the other day as only half the bottle met its intended end. A certain gentleman who shall remain anonymous (Rob Anderson) put the bottle in his training bag for 'another day', promptly forgot about it and following last Thursday's training session, dropped said bag on the concrete floor in the change room. Well - you can imagine what happened. Moral of the story - 4ths must drink more at half time lest the changeroom begin to smell.

Attributed to Roger Clay ? 'Referees are the sole creators of fact'.

 

From the Tregenza Times 21 July 1987

THE FRENCH ARE COMING

A group of Players from the Caen Rugby Club in France will make a brief visit to Adelaide on August 11 to 13. They have advised they are interested in a game so a match is being organised for late in the afternoon on Wednesday August 12 at Tregenza Oval. As it will not be convenient for all regular OCRFC players to participate it has been decided to solicit a composite team made up of members of our Club and the Burnside and Brighton Clubs. Following the match there will be a social function and a chance to meet the visitors. More details as they become available.

THE PROPOSED ADELAIDE RUGBY CLUB

OCRFC has received a notice regarding a proposal to establish an Adelaide Rugby Club which would be a non-playing non-partisan organistion with a venue where SA rugby people could get together in a congenial atmosphere. The proposal includes the establishment of clubrooms in a location near the city centre with bar and luncheon facilities available to members. Any profits would be directed towards developing SA Rubgy.

The convenor, D. L. Wright, called a meeting of interested persons to discuss this proposal on Wednesday, 15 July. We regret the newsletter came out after this date but a notice as posted in the Club. If interested in supporting such a Club, contact Dan Paterson.

MANY HANDS (AND FEET) MAKE LIGHT WORK

There is a nasty rumour hanging 'round rather like a bad smell that suggests that the change rooms, showers, bath etc., leave a certain amount to be desired in terms of pristine cleanliness. From what is being said, it seems that an awful lot of people think it is someone else's responsibility to clean the place up. Not so - there is no resident domestic slave to heave out the muck, mess and mud.

Sorting things out down there is the responsibility of all those who make use of the facilities. Therefore, it would be greatly appreciated if everyone using the change rooms would devote a few minutes towards cleaning things up when they leave. It doesn't take long when everyone pitches in to help and the end result will be to your advantage the next time you want to use the facilities.

And one other matter - locking up and turning out the lights. On several occasions the rooms have not been locked and lights have been left on. The first negates any security procedures designed to protect Club facilities and second just plain wastes a lot of money. So please. if you are last out - lights out and lock up.

PRACTICE BALLS GO WALKABOUT

That says it all. Please return them now and in future.

PATRIOTIC 'THREADS' AND THE LIKE

It may all be free advertising for OCRFC but it's good fun. Attire yourself, your spouse. kids. the (jog and even the Granny Winkles in OCRFC gear. On sale are shorts, socks. ties (including the 50th anniversary ties)

 

21st July 1987 Tregenza Times

John Davies recently appointed coach for the SA under 21 team.

Dave Pridham joins management committee to fill the vacancy left by Roger McDaniel's departure to sunnier climes.

The 3rd of July changed the face of Summertown. A farewell function for Ross and Margaret Delamotte at the Pink Geranium saw forty plus OCs well wined and dined. J.D. did his party piece with some surprising new verses about Ross's physical attributes and we hear R. & M. went straight to the airport on the 4th to fly to Sydney. The previous Thursday Ross presented the Club with a large photograph entitled '9?3' ? need we say more? Good luck to both of you.

Best wishes for the future to Allan Keith who left us for a new job in Melbourne. We look forward to a return visit whenever he has time.

Peter Allen has been dubbed as the Portuguese Millipede of War.

Ms. Tiddy, the Equal Opportunity Commissioner: thanks for pointing out that girls and boys up to the age of 12 are considered equal (what happens after that is anyone's guess) so that future recruiting notices for this age group will be aimed at potential rubgy players or rugby persons.

 

23rd June 1987 Tregenza Times

THE BAR

Last Saturday Kevin Tilde served his last pint of beer at the Club. During his stay he has boosted the profits, made teas for the cricketers, and earned the respect and affection of the members. At a presentation he remarked that he had enjoyed his time at a unique club and always knew it would be a good night when the singing started - almost as an aside he said he wished we would learn the endings of all the songs. We wish him all the best in his retirement to Queensland.

Phil Evans has been appointed in Kevin's place. The bar is a main source of revenue and results are closely monitored. Please give Phil your support and observe these don'ts and dont's. Don't go behind the bar and serve yourself when others are waiting. It creates a bad impression on visitors and if you have to wait then perhaps you should be serving. Do - give Phil a hand, but first get clearance and ask him if he needs you.

LETTER TO EDITOR

Dear Sir, Through your pages may I pass on the thanks of Leonie and myself to the Club for what was a touching gesture on the night of the Anniversary Dinner. We can assure you that the gift was most appreciated and will always serve as a reminder of our friends in Old Colls. We have been gratified by the expressions of regret at our leaving and can assure you that they are mutual. As far as our contribution to the Club is concerned, we feel that whatever has been put in by us has been more than returned by what the Club has given us. Naturally we intend to maintain our membership and contacts with the Club. Once again thank you all.

Roger and Leonie McDaniel.

 

19th February 1987

MANAGEMENT MEANDERINGS

I have a copy of the January Management Committee Minutes before me and it appears that the Club is still in business. In the time tradition of Yes President and Open Government here are some things we think you ought to know about:Tony Matthews of the Feathers Hotel, a long time friend and supporter of the Club, accepted the position of a Vice Patron of the Club and sent further support. Thank you Tony.

The Club roof has been repaired. Most of the damage is caused by people swinging from the rafters, so chaps save the Club some money and keep your feet on the floor.

Jim Naylor reported with relief that Kevin Tilden was safely back from an exhausting holiday at Surfers, suffering no more than a surfeit of sun, sand, mangoes and avocados.

Bar trade for this time of the year has been good, thanks to good usage of the Club on Thursdays and the increase in numbers of cricketers using the Club facilities. In line with the tightening up of financial controls extensive checks are now carried out in the bar.

It was noted that there are regulations banning dogs (Jeremy and Chris excepted) from the Club hguse.

Dennis Bevan who has just completed 25 years with the Burnside Council and who keeps our pitches, summer and winter in good condition, was made an Honorary Member.

Members also please note - 'Doc' Douglas reported on the plunge bath and it has now been officially accepted as a Club Project. Fund raising must move into top gear ? NOW.

MRS E.C. CLAY

We are sad to report the death recently of Mrs. E..C. (Anne) Clay, an Associate Member of the Club. Anne and her late husband Toby were longtime supporters who regularly used to come up and watch the home games. Our sympathies go to Howard, Roger and their families.

 

22nd January 1987 Tregenza Times

JUST BY THE WAY ......

A plumber's life is not an easy one. Remember those faulty washers? One hears that they have resulted in a call out in the wee small hours of the morning. Congratulations to Julie and David Stark on the arrival of their daughter Carly on the 4th of January.

As a prelude to the above momentous occasion the Club's New Years Eve party was held by Barry Dawson's decree at Doc's. Barry (you'd think he'd know better) having recovered from 3rd degree sunburn, photographed all the events that have since been censored. The chairman of the 50th Anniversary Committee was the last person to RETURN to the party and there is no truth in the rumour that Doc struck water at the bottom of his garden the next day. His lemon trees are doing fine!

There is a rumour that Bob's wife is changing her name to Propertyjohn. It is not a question of whether you will find the selector at home but at which home you will find him (he can't remember the telephone number anyway).

WORKING BEE

Sunday, 15th February, 1987, 10.00 a.m. ? 1.00 p.m. John Brown is looking for various tradesmen and labourers. Specialist jobs for plumbers, electricians, carpenters and welders. The jobs are not big but have to be done correctly, so ask John what needs doing. This notice applies to Cricketers as well.

CANINES

The Management Committee would like it to be known that NO dogs are allowed inside the club rooms, at any time. They hope that this notice is all that is needed for the members.

TRAINING & SELECTION

It is no secret that our playing numbers exceed the 33 positions to be selected every match. Already players have not been selected as they have not trained. The principle at stake here is that the selection committee do not take into account past performances or previous matches played. We will give preference to those who attend training on a regular basis because that same desire to improve ones own game is transferred to the playing arena each Saturday. From now on the Training Attendance Book will be viewed at selection. If there is a genuine reason for your absence i.e. interstate business, holidays etc. then it is up to the player to notify his captain that he cannot train BEFORE the event.

TRAINING NETS

Quotations for new practise netting are now being obtained and the existing dangers of batting in two nets (by 2 different people at the same time) should be eliminated very shortly. As those who have attended training recently will note that a Net Captain is appointed each night to nominate the roster for both bowlers and batters. Those who are not bowling or batting should be doing fielding practise. (As opposed to standing in a huddle, smoking and discussing the relative merits, or otherwise, of the Australian Cricket Team).

MARCH REPORTS

These will be put in the next newsletter when the 3 captains can overcome the arthritis in their hands and submit the reports to the Editor. Failure to do so will see the Editor (alias Walter Mitty) make them all up, putting himself in a good light once again.

Old Collegians welcomes John Inge, already in his second game, to the Club. I'm sure he is impressed with the facilities. Please make him welcome personally.

OLD COLLEGIANS is getting into the act. Last year, South Australia had a Jubilee year. This year, the Club also has its own Jubilee. A 50th Anniversary Committee has been set up under the Chairmanship of Roger McDaniel to co-ordinate events to celebrate this kilometre stone in our history and to consolidate a basis for the next 50 years. Adelaide Cup weekend, 16th - 18th May, has been chosen for the 50th Anniversary Dinner and some special rugby matches. New ties and jumpers are being organised. A tour to the Hong Kong 7s has been master-minded. A Club open day, more representative rugby matches, other special events and a Club History are being planned. If you have any ideas or can help, please contact Roger.

Doc Douglas now has specifications for a plunge bath and his committee is working hard to raise funds. You may still buy a personalised tile so that you can go down in the annals of history - for $30. "Rugby Rouses me" T shirts are available at $10. We plan to open the bath this year.

As usual, there will be a number of social events; the President's Garden Party, a car rally, the Revue, a Jazz Day and the Presentation Dinner; also, not quite so social, a rugby training camp.

The Honours Board is now in the Club showing Presidents, Secretaries and Treasurers (with some gaps to fill) and a further Board for Life Members, Patrons, Club Captains and Best and Fairest is envisaged.

Capital improvements mooted include upgrading the ground lighting, a children's playground (special project), a woodshed/store, storage area for Club records, bar and kitchen improvements.

In addition, there is the continuing expense of maintaining current facilities such as running the Tregenza Times, renewing playing equipment and gear, insurance, etc. etc.

All this requires money. The main sources of income (and one way or another you can help) are from bar trading, sponsorships, advertising revenue, raffles, donations and of course, SUBSCRIPTIONS.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Members Subscriptions are due and payable on 1st January 1987. Now is the time Club cash flow needs a boost. So please complete the enclosed Membership Renewal form and return it to the Registrar with your subscriptions as soon as possible.It takes time and costs money to collect late subscriptions. It shoudn't be necessary and for what you get, the fee is remarkably low. Nevertheless, some people are tardy and a cut off date will be set after which penalties will be imposed for late payment.