The weekend's activities got off to a good start at Rom's on the Thursday and Friday night ably assisted by Old Boys Dave Walker, Meggo and company.  It was good to see Dave Lennon, Tubs and Ann Worboys, 'Muzza' Wilkinson, Dave Heckendorf, John Walker and Digby and Jo McNeil to name a few.

Rugby was always going to be a winner on the day! What more could we ask for - great weather, three wins against Aggies, 350 present and past members reliving their youth and 'sharing' their stories at the Dinner and a good response from many of our original members at the recovery breakfast on the Sunday.

It was a great honour to have many of our original members and Life Members attend the games and the dinner and our boys were honoured to have Jim Lenehan, Beres Ellwood and Bob Conolly say a few words before and after the game.

The 'Tahs Old Boys hosted the Hospitality Tent and promoted our Golden Jubilee apparel. My thanks in particular to Ashley Briggs for also organising some great tucker for our visitors.

The highlight of the weekend would have to be the Dinner at the RSL. We were in the company of many great players and others who have made significant contributions to our Club and to Rugby.

While we were honoured to have so many of our original members, past presidents and Life Members present it was also great to see so many of our current players from the 2000s in attendance, especially those who joined our Club as U16s.

Of the 21 Presidents 14 were present on the night:
1971 Jim Lenehan
1972-1973 Mark Gooden
1976-1977 Vern Kurrle
1978 Dave Paton
1980 David Pyke
1981-1983, 1988-1990 Lyndon Taylor
1984-1985 Paul Greentree
1986-1987 Alan Le Brocque
1991-1992 Mike Dolan
1993-1994 Murray Wilkinson
1996-1998 John Lenehan
1999-2001 Mark Garraway
2002- Peter Cabot

and of 15 Life Members 14 were present: Mick Millard, Mark Gooden, Vern Kurrle, Lyndon Taylor, Bob Conolly, Luxton Walker, Mike Dolan, Warwick Grant, Ashley Briggs, Phil Day, John Lenehan, Mike Stewart, Dave Walker, Rhys Grant. Dud Taylor, our first President and first Life Member died a few years ago.

Our MC for the evening was none other than our very own Chris Coleman, U17s Manager. Chris did a superb job of keeping the night flowing despite the President taking more than his allocated 10 minutes. Thanks Chris for your contribution to the night.

The proceedings commenced with Toasts followed by yours truly and a speaker for each of the decades:
Toast to Rugby: Mick Millard (1960s)
Toast to Waratahs: Daniel Selmes (2000s)

1960s - Jim Lenehan. Jim was followed by Bob Conolly who passed on a message from Corky Walker.
1970s - David Pyke
1980s - Lyndon Taylor
1990s - Luxton Walker
2000s - Dave Walker

I have got to hand it to Pikey. Pikey's account of the not-so-eventful '70s was entertaining to say the least. I recall there was some serious socialising during the '70s and there was the small matter of the 1977 premiership as Pikey mentioned .  A character building decade you could say. Every Club has to have one!

A few enthusiastic members formed a 'Waratahs Choir' and entertained the gathering with a repertoire of Club songs. Thanks to Meggo for organising this. Hope we have a few more bus trips Meggo before the next concert.

Luxton Walker presented Jude Grant with a Life Membership of our Club - the first female to be given this honour.

Around 30...or was it 60... or so attended the recovery breakfast at the Civic Gardens on the Sunday. My thanks again to the Organising Committee and Old Boys Lyndon Taylor, Mike Dolan and Ashley Briggs for providing much needed sustenance.

All in all a very good weekend.

PHOTOS 

Photos of the Dinner are available from the Camera House from 10 June. Visit their webpage at www.mycamerahouse.com.au/waratahs to view and place orders. These will also be placed on our webpage shortly.

Other photos will be added to our Webpage as they come to hand and as time permits. These include photos of the games and other photos taken at the dinner

MERCHANDISE - Golden Jubilee Tie and Dress Jersey

If you would like to purchase a Golden Jubilee Tie or Dress Jersey,  or other Club apparel please send me an email to warwick@sugarwood.biz and I will arrange for an order form to be sent with costs and payment options.

Page updated 9 June

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2008 Training

Tuesday & Thursday - Conolly Park
Under 17s - 5:30pm
Seniors - 6:30pm
The numbers have been fantastic!

 Currently placed 2nd on the ladder, our 1st Grade Team are looking for another win over Cootamundra at the Illabo Sports Stadium on Saturday 28th June

2008 Senior Coaching Structure
Dave Walker has been appointed Seniors Coach for 2008 and his coaching and management team will include
Richard Skellern - Forwards Coach
Sean O'Hara - Backs Coach
Fitness Trainer: Sam Donelan
Manager: Kel Langfield
Strapper: Rob McPherson

Second Grade Coach: George Last
Manager: Graham Hope

Third Grade - contacts/coaches
Mark Garraway and Warwick Grant

Under 17 Coach: Paul Greentree
Richard Eldershaw. Justin Crook, George Sykes, Angus Macleod
Manager: Chris Coleman.





Let them know you are in town.

Needing work! Then check out Cargills webpage or Wagga Business - Job Opportunities or links through the Daily Advertiser: Riverina Employment or MyCareer

Click here for short term accommodation

2008 COMMITTEE
See 'Committee'for details of who was elected at the AGM held on 14 November at Romano's Hotel.