The Eye of the Storm Magazine - Vol 6 (April 2015) by Gosford Rugby League: The Eye of the Storm Magazine

the

In the of the

EYE Eye of the

“2015 Kick Off” Edition

Vol 6: April 2015

All the Action from the Trials

Gosford Juniors

100 YEARS AGO

A PDF-MAG for Gosford Kariong Storm Footy Fans

Photo courtesy of the Gosford City Library & the Les Allen Collection

Contents Vol 6: April 2015

Page 5

- Editorial

- Under 13s

- Under 11s

14 - In The Press 15 - Under 6,7,8 & 9s 20 - 100 Years Ago; Gosford Juniors 24 – In the Press

25 – Under 10s 30 – Buy a Photo 31 – Under 15s 35 – Under 14s 39 – In the Press 40 – Under 12s 44 – The Back Page

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Greetings, salutations and a general, “welcome back” to all those who present with a bold, purplish hue. Those of you blessed with a sixth sense of heightened perception will have already deduced that yes, The Eye of the Storm is back for yet another season. And that my age old, pathological delusion of becoming the Ita Buttrose of grass roots rugby league, does in fact burn brighter than ever before. So here’s hoping that 2015 delivers another madcap list of fun filled fixtures. That the good times out weigh those dirt kicking, in goal huddles and that any injuries are kept to a bare minimum; perhaps a grazed knee in round 4, the slightest hint of a left hamstring twinge heading into the bye and maybe an ice cream headache heading home after the big win at Watanobbi . Finally, a big call out to Huey the Weather God. Speaking as a wussy photographer who does prefer a burst of winter sunshine; here’s hoping that the rain in Spain …bloody well stays there! Dominate the ruck boys, and you control the game!

Congratulations go out to 2014 GKS Under 15s player, Tyson Potger on his call up to the Central Coast Centurions Matthews Cup squad during March.

Having written one or two history based pieces last season I was clearly bitten by the bug, for during the off season I embarked on the sizeable task of scrawling the early history of Gosford Rugby League. Well, here I am, three or four months later, 40,000+ words in and I’ve only just hit the mid 1920s. Clearly it’s going to take me a year or ten, and a few volumes to complete fully however given that I’m stuck in the roaring twenties just at the moment, I thought I’d send out a hopeful yelp to anyone who is over 100 years old and used to play for Gosford ... OK, so that might not work. How about anyone who knows someone who’s grand father or grand mother remembers something about local footy and the characters involved; anything that hasn’t already been well documented (general stuff like, there was a big war in 1914, I’ve probably got covered ). So if there’s anyone out there wanting to spin an old Gossy footy yarn to a bleary eyed researcher, please drop me a line at, 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com

Go the Storm in 2015 !

- Andrew Stark

All opinions expressed throughout this publication are derived solely from the scattered & random thoughts of the author; none of which are necessarily shared by the GKS club … nor anyone else on the planet really.

Under THIRTEENS U17(2)s

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In The Press … Gosford Kariong hand out the trophies by Andrew Stark Coast Community News 12th September, 2014 The Gosford Kariong Storm Rugby League Football Club concluded a highly successful 2014 season by holding their annual presentation afternoon at the Central Leagues Club during mid October. Following on from a stunning winter in which the Storm tasted premiership success in the U13s, were runners up in the U16s and finalists in the U14 and U10 divisions, there were many trophies to be handed out and much backslapping and frivolity to be both worn, and had, respectively. Exciting rugby league prospects, John Connolly and Thomas Bateup shared the club’s coveted ‘Senior Player of the Year Award’ whilst the tenacious under 10s halfback Ryan Bird flew off with the 2014 ‘Junior Award’. Prop forward Thomas Bateup, who starred for both the U15 and U16 teams throughout a busy 2014, backed up to also claim the ‘Presidents Player of the Year’ prize. The inaugural ‘Clint Gosper Memorial Trophy’ was awarded to the Storm’s canteen coordinator Kellie Hodge, who alongside Colleen Bird and Sharyn Oatley helped turn a tidy profit from in behind the tuck-shop counter. Robbie Campbell’s Under 9(1)s claimed the ‘Mini League Team of the Year Award’, whilst the tireless Vanessa Bird was acknowledged as the Gosford Kariong ‘Manager of the Year’ for her work with the U10s. ‘Coach of the Year’ went to rookie mentor Blake Laybutt, whose feat of taking an U14 pre season squad that comprised just six players, and building a cohesive, well patronized footy team who ultimately fell just a try or two short of featuring on grand final day, was nothing short of remarkable. Gosford Kariong’s ‘Best &Fairest’ awards throughout the various age groups were presented to – Alex Montgomery, Daniel Su, Hayden Green, Logan Campbell, Jeremy Belcher, Blake Taylor, Nash Doratt-Mavin, Ryan Bird, Zac Campbell, Rylee Oakes, Jack Payne, Troy Ghilardi and Bailey Cregan.

PRE COMPETITION TEAMS

History

100 Years Ago

by Andrew Stark

Photo courtesy of Gwen Dundon’s, Gosford Pictures

1915

was a year of unconscionable loss that in the decades that followed would be hailed as the year that shaped our nation.

1915: The Re-Birth of the Gosford Juniors Back Row from left:

Percy Buscombe, Teddy Taylor, Roy Ranyard, George Moore, Ernie Gribble, Lyle Morris, Aclan Guerin.

Middle Row from left: Frank Neylon (manager with towel), Arthur Gavenlock, Dick Creighton, Billy Deane, Bert Hennessey In amongst the horror of the Great War, (capt), Ollie Dwyer, unknown, Arthur ‘Bishop’ Hitchcock, 1915 would also mark the rebirth of the Albert ‘Mac’ Hitchcock. Gosford Juniors Football club who had first formed in 1907 but appear to have Front Row from left: Henry Young, Jack ‘Rassy’ Harris, Bob Weekes, spluttered out shortly thereafter. The Cecil Schubert, Charles Parry. senior club had been in existence since 1905 (following on from a few failed earlier incarnations) and yet their had been no feeder team in place leading up to the war years; nowhere for Gosford’s fringe players or the talent of tomorrow to find their footing in a genuine match day setting. A group of locals decided to band together on a Monday night during mid May; a meeting held at George Johnson’s Mann Street Hairdressing Saloon (which boasted 3 chairs, 3 attendants and a first class antiseptic treatment), where office bearers were appointed & members eagerly signed on.

The vast majority of the new club’s players were teenagers or young adults, with one or two older heads sprinkled in amongst all the promise; a smattering of experience to help show the lads the way. Gosford carter and 1911First Grade captain, Bert Hennessey (seen holding the football) filled the role of chief sage for the Juniors from 1915 through to the early 1920s and had earlier been instrumental in the formation of the town’s original Juniors team of 1907, for whom he was both a player and the club secretary. .

Despite much of the region having already taken to the thirteen man code, Gosford remained a rugby union town and wouldn’t switch to rugby league until the winter of 1918

All football on the Central Coast would cease during the subsequent war torn years , resuming tentatively in 1918. The Junior Club, with Bert Hennessey at the helm would become the pride of the town when they won the districts Second Grade competition in 1921 and then again in 1922, before the Juniors agreed to amalgamate with Gosford’s senior club during the early months of 1923.

Team Characters … Bert Hennessey – one of ten children to the early Gosford residents, Patrick and Agnes Hennessey whose backyard in Holden Street doubled as the Gosford Football Club’s home ground circa 1906/1907. As well as leading the Juniors team during 1915, Bert also won the Senior Club’s best back of the year award and had previously served as the club’s first grade captain during 1911. Oliver Dwyer – 19 year old son of the Gosford stationmaster who would also follow a career with the NSW Railway Department. Oliver played regularly for both the Juniors and the First Grade side throughout 1915 and would in subsequent years become the senior club’s secretary. He would marry Irene Beattie, the second of Gosford Club President and Union Hotel licensee, Jack Beattie’s daughters during 1916. Olly was a five eight who would play many fine seasons for Gosford, up until the Railways Department promoted him to the rank of night officer during late 1922 and transferred him to the Riverina town of Stockinbingal. Arthur ‘Bishop’ & Albert ‘Mac’ Hitchcock – Two of five Hitchcock brothers who were mainstays of Gosford football for well over a decade. Bishop was the youngest (turned 20 during 1915) and arguably the most gifted footballer of the family (although nephew, Dodger Hitchcock was a fine five eight for the club during the 1930s) and assumed the vice captaincy of this juniors team throughout 1915. Fatherless from an early age, the Hitchcock boys grew up in a cottage at 49 Carrington St, Narara which stood adjacent to the site that today houses the Gosford Kariong Storm’s home ground. Richard ‘Dick’ Creighton – Was the fourth generation of his family to run Gosford’s funeral home and he would, during subsequent decades serve as an alderman on the local council. The Gosford Times noted during the late 1930s that, he played football and cricket, and in his younger days could take a glove’ with the best. Dick Creighton was a cousin of fellow team mates, Bert Hennessey and Charles Parry.

Centre photo courtesy of Gosford City Library

Richard Dick Creighton photographed in 1978 (aged 84), alongside the old Creighton’s Funeral Home in Mann St, Gosford..

by Andrew Stark

Arguably the most keenly contested game of the season was a mid July clash with the Gosford First Grade side in which it was agreed before kick off that the losers would shout the winners supper at the Royal Hotel. Sadly for the youngsters, Jack Pateman and the blacksmith, Billy Moase crossed for tries as the men accounted for the boys by 6 points to nil.

100 years ago

The Juniors team began the 1915 season with a game against the Matcham first graders, falling 5-0 after a keenly fought contest. Much of their season would comprise the playing of games against the newly opened Mt Penang Farm Home for Boys (later to be known as the Gosford Training School or Kariong Detention Centre). The Gosford Juniors played and defeated the lads from the range on five separate occasions throughout the year; the final encounter producing a 14-5 victory in which Rassy Harris nabbed a double.

Percy Buscombe – was the son of local cinema proprietor Frank ‘Spider’ Buscombe. Percy, a winger and his brother Clyde, a forward would play many years of football for Gosford. Uncle Wal Buscombe acted as a referee in many of the Juniors games throughout 1915 and to show their appreciation, the club presented him with a silver mounted butter dish at the post season awards night. Arthur Gavenlock – from the famous cricketing family of Narara. Arthur would later live and play football for Erina where he was also employed as a labourer. Edward ‘Teddy’ Taylor – was a shop assistant who lived in William St, Gosford. ‘Teddy’ would also move east to play for Erina during the early 1920s. Ernest Gribble Jnr – was the son of the Reverend Ernest Richard Bulmer Gribble who was rector at Gosford’s Christ Church between 1911 & 1913 before heading to the Kimberley region of North Western Australia to work with the local Aboriginal people. The Reverend Gribble was a vigorous and ‘vocal protector of Aborigines’ and was awarded an OBE in 1956 for a lifetime of indigenous advocacy. George Moore – was the 19 year old son of local timber man Joseph Moore and his wife Elizabeth. Roy Ranyard – was a clerk at his fathers Livery Stables in York St, East Gosford. Roy would become treasurer of the football club during the early 1920s before marrying Gladys Clifford in 1922 and moving out of the district. The couple set up their home in the north western Sydney suburb of Epping. Charles Parry – turned 18 during 1915 and soon after, was appointed stationmaster at the Point Clare railway station. Charles would transfer south to Cheltenham during 1918 however his younger brothers Percy and Les would play a number of seasons with the Gosford Football Club during the 1920s. Eldest brother Henry, who was 11 years older than Charles, is the Henry Parry of Henry Parry Drive fame. Charles would return to carry on his brothers nursery business that was situated in behind Henry’s fruit shop and tea rooms on the corner of Mann and Erina Streets (see photo).

Photo’s courtesy of Gosford City Library

Above: Wal Buscombe photographed in 1902 (13 years before receiving an awards night butter dish) Left: Charles Parry ran a successful nursery, that was situated in behind his brother’s Mann Street fruit shop and tea rooms.

by Andrew Stark

Henry Young – of West Gosford would become one of four brothers to serve with the AIF during WW1. Private Henry Young, a carter during his civilian life, would be awarded the Military Medal for heroic actions undertaken whilst fighting with the 30th Australian Infantry Battalion. He was the son of the local blacksmith Bob Young.

100 years ago

Advertisement for Harris’ Footwear taken from a 1923 edition of the Gosford Times

Jack ‘Rassy’ Harris – of Bent St, Gosford. Jack and his older brother Noel were both boot makers by trade. Noel would become the Gosford Football Club secretary during the early 1920s and went on to run a successful shoe shop in Mann Street for many decades.

Lyle Morris – was the 19 year old son of Gosford’s Police Sergeant William Morris and his wife Nellie. Lyle was also the younger brother of the gifted local sportsman and Gosford first grade player, Cecil Morris. Cec had been involved with the Gosford football team from the tender age of 13. Progressing from the junior team of 1907, he had become a fine top grade five eight and as an 18 year old was a star performer in the hugely successful senior XV of 1912. Cecil Morris enlisted as soon as the war broke out and was twice wounded prior to the storming of the Turkish trenches at Lone Pine, a battle that ultimately claimed his life. News of Cecil’s death filtered back to Gosford many months after the fact. A letter home during October from a former classmate at Gosford Public School, Private Richard Mayo suggested that Cecil had been killed however confirmation was not officially received until the 16th of December, 1915. Cecil Morris and his younger brother Lyle were both born in Walgett before the family had relocated to Gosford during the first few years of the twentieth century. Cecil’s death date of August 7th, 1915 is the earliest to be found recorded on any headstone in the Point Clare Cemetery; a broken column style memorial signifying burgeoning life cut woefully short. For a brief time, and despite being under age, Cecil’s brother Lyle was also enlisted however following the news of Cecil’s death he withdrew from service as a direct response to his mother’s pleading. Tragically for parents William and Nellie Morris, Lyle would contract Bright’s disease twelve months beyond Cecil’s death, passing away in a Sydney hospital during late 1916, aged just 20.

Lyle’s elder brother Cecil Morris who was a talented sportsman before losing his life at Lone Pine. The brothers share a headstone at the Point Clare Cemetery.

Cecil Schubert – hailed from Singleton in the Hunter Valley and was the son of a farmer. His brother Jim would run a fruit shop in Gosford for many years whilst another brother Phillip would lose his life fighting on the Western Front during 1917. Billy Deane – was the second son of Edward Deane. Billy would head to Rockhampton in Central Queensland to wed Mary Doolan during 1928. Billy subsequently convinced his bride to catch the train back to Gosford with him; charming his new wife with tales of the good life to be had on the idyllic shores of the Brisbane Waters. Aclan Guerin – was Gosford’s first grade fullback and son of the local pharmacist Marco Guerin. Within months of the team photo having been taken he was heading to the Somme to fight with the 1st Field Artillery. Gunner Aclan Guerin was subsequently awarded the Military Medal for heroically remaining as the last man standing within his sub unit on three separate occasions. He would meet and fall in love with a Scottish lass at the end of the war and was duly whisked away to live in the land of the haggis. Bob Weekes – was a carrier who lived in Hill Street, Gosford. He served in both World Wars and was president of the local branch of the RSL during the 1920s. Bob was employed at the local cordial and fruit extract company Jusfrute; who transferred him to the Queanbeyan region during the early 1930s.

Unknown – I have uncovered the names of a further nine players who did represent the Gosford Juniors during 1915. These were; F.O’Connor, T. Johnson, C. Johnson, James Gambling, John McCann, B. McLean, W. Whitbread (the regular 1915 first grade halfback) I. Frewin and Roy Colley. Whether the unknown gentleman, wedged in between Ollie Dwyer and Bishop Hitchcock in the team photo is one of these nine, remains a mystery … for now.

Gosford Juniors 1915

100 years ago

Frank Neylan – was a local building contractor and vice president of the Juniors Club. The 1915 team selection panel consisted of Frank Neylon, Lyle Morris & Ollie Dwyer. The sporting of a towel, casually slung over his shoulder in the team photo, suggests Frank also doubled as the team’s trainer (along with first grader Mac Hitchcock who also wears a towel. The photographer was clearly at the top of his game having most symmetrically framed the image between two, unobtrusive white towels ).

by Andrew Stark

In The Press … Gosford Kariong Gearing Up For 2015 by Andrew Stark. Coast Community News 18th March, 2015 The Gosford Kariong Club have been back in full training for a month as kick off to the 2015 junior rugby league season looms. The Storm conducted their first set of trials on the second Saturday of March; playing a series of successful matches against the Asquith Magpies in warm and humid conditions at Narara Valley High School. With players ranging from Under 15s down to Under 6s, the day’s fulsome program offered many their first real taste of rugby league. The opening match of the morning featured the U6s in a game that was filled with laughter. The youngsters took great glee in running any which way, as a giant game of chaseys ensued. The respective coaches and parents attempted to point their young chargers toward the appropriate try line however a game of football was never going to be a match for a paddock full of kindergartners running free. The following weekend saw the Storm’s teams travel down to Harbord on the northern beaches strip of Sydney to further fine tune their combinations against the local Harbord United Devils Club. The season proper does not commence until Saturday the 18th of April which gives any boy or girl who hasn’t already registered and is interested in pulling on the deep purple jersey of the Storm this winter, just enough time to join up. Prospective players (or their parents) should ring Renee Martin (0402 190282) or Vanessa Bird (0406 029833) or conversely email the club at gosfordkariongstorm@hotmail.com for further details. Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear in the newspaper.

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How Do We Get A Photo For Uncle Gav & Aunty Dot ??? Whilst the motivation for putting this collection together is in no way financial, I do realize there will be an occasional request for images. And I guess it would be nice to recoup my bus fares to and from the myriad of footy ovals that are scattered across the CCDJRL region. So to keep both Red Bus and Busways happy, all the photo’s appearing in the “Eye of the Storm” PDF MAG are available for purchase, in high resolution JPEG form for just $10 (via Paypal, cheque or money order) or $5 if you see me in person. Simply email me (Andrew) at 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com and let me know which image or images your after … Use the above e mail address to also complete Paypal payments, or mail cheques or money orders to …

PO Box 4323, East Gosford, 2250 (made out to ‘Andrew Stark’) Include your email address and I’ll email out your requested image in all it’s high res, purple, blue, white and yellow magnificence.

… or come and slip me a purple fiver on game day … I’ll be the bleary eyed, disheveled looking bloke with the dodgy haircut … oh yeah, and the big camera !

Please Note: The minimum transaction allowable by Paypal is $10

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In The Press … Gosford Kariong Wrap Up Preseason Preparations by Andrew Stark. Coast Community News - 1st April, 2015 The Gosford Kariong Rugby League Club concluded their preseason preparations with a full set of trial matches played on the final Sunday in March against Newcastle club, the Valentine-Eleebana Devils. The brightest spot of the afternoon was provided by the Gosford U13s who have been the form team of recent weeks following a morale boosting 48-4 win over the Panthers at Berkeley Vale before backing up to overpower the Valentine Devils 28-8 at Narara. With a host of willing forwards, some light stepping backs and classy halfback Nick Rodrigues calling the shots, the Storm will be hoping to maintain their purple patch of form when the competition kicks off on April 18th. This season’s Storm U15(1)s have assumed the role of the club’s most senior team, following the loss of both the U16 and Opens sides from last year. Coached by former Gosford forwards; Max Russell and Nathan Malcolm, the Fifteens backed up a tough trial against 2014 Division Two premiers Berkeley Vale, with a spirited showing against a physical Valentine team. Nathan Linsley’s U14(1)s team had a miserable afternoon as they ran headlong into a red & white juggernaut and were hard pressed simply getting their hands on the ball. The team was soundly beaten and last season’s Division Two premiers are showing the negative effects of having had three prominent members lured north to Ourimbah during the off season. Tireless forwards Jake Grimley and Shaun Gale toiled manfully during the 52 point loss to Valentine however much work needs to be done before the Fourteens can hope to compete against the Division One heavyweights during the upcoming season. The younger age divisions all enjoyed a good hit out against their northern visitors and once this weekends basket of chocolate eggs have been ingested, will be raring to go for round one of the 2015 CCDJRL competition which kicks off on April 18th. Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear in the newspaper.

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Thanks for all your work Gosford … but we’ll take him from here!

Johnny Heads North