2012 11th Gala Dinner
Celebrating Rugby League's 8th Immortal
Milestones
Welcome
Men of League have dispensed over $3,000,000 in benevolent assistance since 2002 that includes support for people from all levels of the game who suffer injury or illness and find themselves in financial hardship.
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Membership 21,000.
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Established 35 Men of League Local Committees in NSW, QLD, ACT, NT, VIC and WA adding to our army of over 500 volunteers.
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Conducted over 150 events through our local committees and Head Office networks in the last 12 months to raise funds to support our welfare programs.
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During the past year 120 people participated in the ICAP Back to the Game program of social outings to NRL fixtures provided for the elderly that are socially isolated in nursing homes.
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Kick-Off Club and other social welfare initiatives are arranged to keep the lonely and socially disadvantaged connected with other members of the rugby league family.
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Men of League magazine is now being printed quarterly and has become a much anticipated read for our membership with over 21,000 copies distributed.
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Formation of a partnership with ARL Masters which will see Men of League recognised as an affiliated charity partner at all ARL Masters events around Australia.
Scholarship grants are awarded to seriously injured young players and those who do not progress to NRL ranks and find themselves without adequate skills and training to begin a career. Men of League have donated memorabilia items to other charities, helping them raise over $600,000.
The Men of League Foundation Board and management welcome friends and supporters to the 11th Annual Gala Dinner. We would like to acknowledge the ongoing support received from the ARLC, NRL, NSWRL, CRL, ICAP and the NRL Football and Leagues clubs all of whom are represented here this evening. In the 104 years’ history of rugby league in Australia, only seven players have been recognised with the title “Immortal”. Tonight, an eighth will join Clive Churchill, Bob Fulton, Reg Gasnier, John Raper, Graeme Langlands, Wally Lewis and Arthur Beetson. Men of League sincerely thanks Rugby League Week who have developed the “Immortals” concept, for allowing their announcement to be made tonight. Traditionally we have inducted outstanding contributors to rugby league into the Men of League Honourees. Parkview has sponsored this program and we are grateful for their wonderful support. Tonight there are three honourees – Ferris Ashton, a great Eastern Suburbs forward,
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Brian Davies, a robust Queensland forward and noted goalkicker, and Lionel Morgan, the first ever indigenous player to be awarded an Australian Test Jersey. We congratulate the three honourees and wish them ongoing good health and many years of football enjoyment.
Thank you again for being here tonight. We trust the evening is a memorable one and to the Eighth Immortal goes our congratulations for such an honour.
For the first time in eight years Men of League will be without the major sponsorship of AMP. The generosity and brand association Men of League enjoyed with AMP has led to considerable benevolence under our charitable objectives.
Ron Coote AM, Chairman
The Hon. John Fahey AC, Patron
Our Marketing Committee is currently presenting to potential sponsors and we welcome all expressions of interest. The Board never takes your support for granted and recognises that if we stay true to our objectives of giving to those in the rugby league family who are suffering from ill health or financial difficulty, then Australian generosity will always support our objectives. Each of you are important to what we collectively seek to achieve. 3
Menu Entree
Dessert
Alaskan crab and avocado tian, gazpacho dressing.
Strawberries and cream.
National Anthem Gemma Summerhayes
Main
Wine
Master of Ceremonies Graeme Hughes
Fillet of beef with fondant potato, exotic mushrooms and porcini sauce.
2010 First Creek Hunter Valley Chardonnay. 2009 Molly Dooker The Maitre D’ Cabernet Sauvignon.
“Immortality” Brittany Cairns & Mitchell Thompson
Or Ocean trout fillet, pesto ricotta filled zucchini blossom and baby heirloom tomatoes.
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Evening Program
Welcome The Hon. John Fahey AC Patron Men of League
Entertainment
Memorial Tribute Brittany Cairns & Mitchell Thompson
Parkview Honouree Ferris Ashton
Major Auction
The Eighth Immortal
Gold Raffle Draw
The Hon. Barry O’Farrell, MP Premier NSW
Grand Final Tribute Mitchell Thompson
Martin Lenehan Editor In Chief Mens Lifestyle Sports
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The Immortals
At the end the judges voted privately and individually in a secret ballot. Their job was done. They left, with no idea of the outcome. But the game that day had a new `Immortal ‘ in line with the word’s various meanings, which include `everlasting fame’ and `unending existence’.
by Ian Heads
“Give me my robe, put on my crown; I have Immortal longings in me.” William Shakespeare (Antony and Cleopatra) The laurels that will come to rugby league’s eighth Immortal this evening under the marquee at Darling Island Wharf will differ from those that resonate in Shakespeare’s words from 400 years ago. Only emblematically will there be a robe and crown tonight to acclaim this `immortal’ occasion. But there will be something just as meaningful in rugby league’s context - the singular, enduring honour of a great player from the post-War period ascending to the game’s Pantheon, on the consideration and votes of an expert panel. There, late this evening, he will join the seven men chosen in the last 31 years – Clive Churchill, Reg Gasnier, John Raper, Bob Fulton (from 1981), Wally Lewis, Graeme Langlands (1999) and Arthur Beetson (2003). Afterwards the doors will swing shut again on the game’s most exclusive club – to be, perhaps, opened again at indeterminate times through rugby league’s second century. Joint partners Rugby League Week 6
and the Men of League are proud indeed to be at the helm of such an event. It is, after all, a rare and special night for the game – this arrival at a conclusion after a long and thorough process which involved the biggest and most representative panel yet assembled to tackle the thorniest selection challenge the game presents. When Rugby League Week took on board the Immortals concept back in 1981, the judging panel was of only three men. But what a trio it was - Harry Bath, great player, great coach, Frank Hyde, champion player, referee, ground-breaking radio broadcaster and iconic figure and Tom Goodman, distinguished scribe, whose experience covering the game, with objectivity and expertise, reached back to the early 1920s. This time, the selection panel for the third re-visiting swelled to 18 in number, comprising John Grant (chairman, ARL
Commission), John Raper, Graeme Langlands, Reg Gasnier, Bob Fulton, Wally Lewis (Immortals), Wayne Bennett (coaching legend), Ray Warren (Channel 9 broadcaster), Roy Masters (Fairfax Media), Phil Rothfield (News Ltd), Ray Hadley (2GB / Channel 9 broadcaster), David Middleton (historian), Geoff Prenter, Norm Tasker, Tony Durkin, Ian Heads (former RLW editors), Mitchell Dale (RLW editor) and Martin Lenehan (ex RLW editor and current editorin-chief ACP’s Men’s Lifestyle Sport). The 2012 voting meeting was shorter in duration than 1981’s beginning, when Hyde, Bath and Goodman met for much of a winter’s night before reducing a list of 100 names to the required four. But over the several hours of a lively lunch this time there was vigorous debate, covering many players and many aspects of the task at hand – including the question at the heart of it: just what does it take for a player to be judged an `Immortal’?
The parameters that afternoon were essentially as laid down on the request of the
Tonight comes the answer…. and rugby league will have its eighth `Immortal’. To follow, no doubt, there will be an aftermath as old as the game itself: of discussion, acclaim, disagreement, controversy, celebration, spiky debate. And that’s exactly as it should be – considering that rugby league has thrived and grown on such a formula for more than 100 years…….
three judges of 1981 – that the candidates would be all post-war players and that pure football ability would be the guiding light. So it was that great players of vastly different eras flowed in and out of the conversation. Such factors as record, ability, longevity, sportsmanship, contribution to the game and impact on it underpinned the wider discussions and further fuelled opinions offered.
ARTHUR BEETSON
BOB FULTON
REG GASNIER
CLIVE CHURCHILL
WALLY LEWIS
JOHN RAPER
GRAEME LANGLANDS
CLUB
235
279
127
157
301
273
228
NSW
18
17
21
37
-
32
36
QLD
3
-
-
1
42
-
-
AUST
47
56
77
91
55
73
90
CAREER*
314
362
233
299
399
400
363
* Includes City/Country representation
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Who Will Be The Next Immortal?
Parkview Honourees
Ferris Ashton
Brian Davies
Lionel Morgan
Honouree Roll 2002
Norm Provan CLUB NSW QLD AUST CAREER*
258 25 30 326
Ron Coote AM CLUB NSW QLD AUST CAREER*
257 15 36 315
Mal Meninga AM Andrew Johns CLUB NSW QLD AUST CAREER*
306 42 84 433
CLUB NSW QLD AUST CAREER*
253 23 27 306
Frank Hyde Jack Gibson Ron Massey 2003 Duncan Hall Jack Rayner
2004 Keith Holman Kel O’Shea Wally O’Connell 2005 Barry Muir Harry Bath
2006
2008
2010
Mick Crocker Rex Mossop
Dick Poole Norm Provan
2007
2009
Graeme Langlands John Raper Reg Gasnier
Cyril Connell Ken Arthurson
Dud Beattie Garry Parcell Noel Kelly
2011 Don Furner Harry Wells Ken McCaffery
* Includes City/Country representation.
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Gold Raffle • • •
$10 a Ticket Drawn Tonight Terms and Conditions Apply
1st Prize
Value $18,500, 5 Nights Accommodation at Taj Exotica, Maldives, 2 Business Class Airfares with Singapore Airlines
2nd Prize
4 x Category 1, 2012 NRL Grand Final Tickets
3rd Prize
4 x Category 1, 2013 State of Origin, Game 2
www.tajhotels.com The resort is a member of the leading small hotels of the world.
Major Auction Item 1
Major Auction Item 2
The 8th Immortal Memorabilia Piece
State of Origin Private Suite
Limited edition 1 of 25 Immortality embraces a celebrated few, those whose skill and performance, the enormity of their courage, passion, commitment and consistent quality of play commands enduring fame. Where seven now awaits the crowning of another, whose ability surpasses the best and whose contribution to his game demands he be joined. The Eighth Immortal, just like all the others who will live forever. This is your chance to own history as Rugby League Week’s Eighth Immortal is announced. The winning bidder will have their photo taken on stage with the Eighth Immortal as well as the first limited edition piece. Framing of the memorabilia kindly donated by Icons of Sport.
State of Origin comes to ANZ Stadium for one fixture in 2013 on Wednesday 19 June. The NSW Blues will again be looking to bring down the Queensland dominance with vocal support at the iconic Sydney venue. As one of the marquee sporting events of the year, what better way to enjoy the match than in an ANZ Stadium Private Suite. ANZ Stadium has kindly made available a twenty (20) person Private Suite with proceeds from tonight’s auction going to support the Men of League Foundation. Featuring exceptional views and five-star hospitality, an ANZ Stadium Private Suite delivers a standard rarely experienced in a sport and entertainment venue. This VIP package includes personalised service of gourmet food and beverages as well as premium seating for twenty (20) guests on the private balcony. Turn this deluxe sporting experience into an unforgettable night. ANZ stadium is a proud supporter of the Men of League Foundation.
Value: Priceless 12
Value: $25,000 13
Major Auction Item 3
Major Auction Item 4
Media Package
Villa Vivante $50,000 advertising package with all Fox Sports Channels and Fox Sports News, valid until 27th September 2013
Full page colour advertisement in the Daily Telegraph, to the value of over $45,000
$40,000 worth of Channel Nine air-time to be used by the end of September 2013
6 Nights and 7 Days
Perched 750 feet above the Pacific Ocean is one of Australia’s most dramatic homes, Villa Vivante. It is a vivid image of the beautiful villas on the Costa Azur in the South of France. With five ensuite bedrooms, the villa is perfect for four to five couples or two families looking to share the magic of a peaceful yet exciting getaway. For the ultimate in-house movie experience, lounge back and be entertained in the three tiered theatrette.
Two thirty (30) second commercials on the big screen during State of Origin 2013
The professionally equipped gym and day/night tennis court both guarantee views never offered by such sporting facilities. Villa Vivante defies description in more ways than one...
$16,000 worth of advertising with radio stations 2GB and 2CH valid from 1st December to 28 February 2012
Kindly donated by www.villavivante.com Dates subject to availability. Bookings: Mal Fittler – 0411 336 666
Full page ad in Rugby League Week magazine can be used at any time with four (4) weeks’ notice valued at $3,000
Value: $160,000 14
Value: $12,000 15
Silent Auction There is an extraordinary range of memorabilia to be viewed in the cocktail area including: Signed guitars from worlds greatest rockbands AC/DC, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones. There is also a diverse range of Sporting Memorabillia, Artwork and Experiences available tonight: • • • • •
Team of the Century Jersey NRL 300 Club Jersey Sally Pearson Olympic Gold medal performance Anna Meares Olympic Gold Medal performance 5 Greatest Coaches Lithograph Print
Please continue to check your bids throughout the evening.
Men of League Charity Race Day Rosehill Gardens Racecourse Cox Plate Day - Saturday 27th October Grand Pavillion Luncheon Tickets include course admission, race book, 3 course lunch, beer, red, white and sparkling wine and soft drinks from 12noon till the last race. Men of League Legends will entertain along with expert tipsters. $185 per ticket or $1850 per table of ten (GST inclusive) Bookings - Claire White admin@menofleague.com
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With Thanks
Floor Plan
MCI Australia Event Managers Narelle and Graeme Hughes 18
Please Note All Exits 19
CARING FOR THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY www.menofleague.com