Newsletter 212002 November 2002

16 Pages·2006·5.18 MB·English

Newsletter 212002 November 2002
RMC Rugby 1952-55
(The Forsayth Shield - End of an Era)
I.B. Mackay
[For those readers who are not thrilled to th Herron, Chief Justice of NSW and President of the
marrow with RMC Rugby stories. this issue NSWRU. Even with the strongest pleas to observe the
Newsletter may not suit their interest. Th splendid history of the fixture, the politics of preventing
however, a span of some years after 1945 when Soccer establishing itself strongly in the GPS Schools
teams of the RMC seemed well-nigh unbeatable both dafdated us - such was the arcane world of sporting politics
locally and elsewhere. Given the radical changes h the in the GPS and High Schools!
content and the reduced length of the present RMC I arrived at RMC very late in first term of 1952,
cumculum, such a happy state of affairs is unlikely to be because of an operation on a knee-cap, fractured but not
repeated. Those teams of the 1940s and 1950s delivered to diagnosed, nine months earlier playing rugby for Sydney
the RMC their own brand of glory and deserve some of h€ e &mar against The King's School. My medical papers
restricted space in these Newsletters. David Wilkins' piece were marked in large red letters by the orthopaedic surgeon
on the Dent Cup properly appears in this issue to mark ib 'NOT TO PLAY FOOTBALL FOR 12 MONTHS', but
anniversary status while the article below gains its place &% within hours of arrival at the College, I was whisked down
a logical successor to the previous Rugby contributiom, to Dr J.R. @oc) Nimmo by the I$' XV coach, the
Ed. I enthusiastic Captain J.W. (Poodles) Nome (1942).
Pronounced fit for rugby by those two eminent gentlemen,
Gus Breen's excellent review of RMC Rugby 1948- I joined the 1st XV on a visit to Wagga Wagga that
5 1 in Newsletter 212001 has, according to the Editor, weekend. We played a Combined Riverina team in a
triggered a mini-avalanche of reminiscences and this marvelbus game, which we won, celebrating the
follow-on takes up the story through the next four years to commencinnent of representative rugby again in the
the end of the era of great RMC-GPS clashes for the Riverim dm a long gap from World War 11.
Forsayth Shield, first presented in 19 17. Our victory by 26 It is tempting but difficult to single out individual
points to 5 on 6 August 1955, over a very strong Combined players over the four years. Some, such as rugged front-
GPS I st XV, composed of players such as future prominent rower, R.W. (Ron) Meadows (1952) who played for
Wallaby stars. Teny Curley and Jim Lenehan, ensured that Australia in the late 1950's, captain and brilliant centre
the magnificent shield stayed forever in the powssion of I.W. (Ian) Way (1953) and I.H. (lan) Maclean (1953) who
RMC. although this was unbeknown to us at that time. was one of the best half backs I played with (up there with
Along with classmate. M.M. (Malcolm) van Gelder the great Ken Catchpole. Brian Cox and Des Connor come
(1955). a Wallaby tourist to NZ. and other members of the to mind). dong with Malcolm (Mousey) van Gelder and
teams, I played international and representative football in K.J. (John) McGhee (1955). a marvellous combination of
Australia and elsewhere in the years thal followed RMC constructive and destructive breakaways. Characters
but I believe that the Duntroon XVs of that era played included B.W. (Blue) Lake (1955). hooker par excellence.
some of the greatest team rugby that I was involved with I.R.J. (Blue) Hodgkinson (1953) who switched from
over a 30-year career of playing. coaching and refereeing. Captain of Hockey in 1953 to provide strength in the
Three superb team efforts stand out strongly in my mind: Second Row, G.J. Hughes (1956) a dazzling attacking
28-24 winners over City Colts (including many young centre, J.E. (Horse) Simpson (1956) who bulked up and
internationals) at the Sydney Crickel Ground as a shifted from wing to lock. the tough-as-teak NZ front-
curtain-raiser to NSW v Fiji in May 1954. rower W.T. (Billy) Collins (1954) and many others.
28-1 1 winners over Combined GPS at the Showground
Two principal aims of the 1st XV were to win the
in August 1954.#
Canberra Premiership. the John Dent Memorial Cup and
26-5 winners over Combined GPS a1 the Showground
defeat GPS in the historic match in Sydney during August
in August 1955.
Leave, not necessarily in ~halo rder of importance. The
During a period when I coached the RMC XV from
match against Hawkesbury Agricultural College was also
1964-66, I desperately tried LO get the RMC-GPS game very high in our priorities.
back on the agenda, through the good offices of Sir Leslie
1952. Lost to GPS 19- 1 I in a lough match. We won the Dent
# Probably our best effort - with eight players out injured including the Cup reasonably easily but not without same drama. J.H.E.
captain, Bill Collins (MacKay took over the captaincy) and innovative
selections such as the Colts hooker. I.S. (Ian) Fisher (1956). playing (Eddie) Mac ka y. Canberra's top internatimd referee
breakaway. officiated at the Grand Final (he was also my uncle)
.. ,'tory OVL. ..., -PS G. ..re RAS d.., .... ~undisn Sydney in 1954. E ,,.,, usted but jubilantplaye., ,. ,... the left:
R.H.M. (Ron)K ennedy (1954),P .G. (Peter)H otop (1956),T .J. (Tom) Flanagan (1954),J .E.E. Simson (1956),i n the
background J.G. (Garth)H ughes (1956),t hen I.S. (Ian)F isher (1956),I .B. (Ian)M ackay (1955)w ith the Shield
firmly grasped and being carried by J.D. (John)M aguire (1957) & W. (Bill)A ndrew (1954).
and threatened to send me off for ankle tapping J.C. referee's decision is final and dismiss a Royals' protest
(Frosty) Kennett, Canberra Royals star five-eighth. I over an RMC converted try! It is the only time in my
protested my innocence in vain, much to the mirth of some rugby career I have had to sit with a coach in a cold and
of my team-mates, explaining that I could not get close wintry Canberra committee room, to 'win' a Grand Final.
enough to tackle him because he was too fast and tricky - I
was just able to catch his boot with a desperate dive as he
From the perspective of a wide field of rugby
was heading for the try line.
playing and coaching over the years, I believe it is
important to note that the friendship and camaraderie
1953. Major R.G.P.St V. (Russell) McNamara (1942) had
within the RMC teams was superb, in the wider context of
taken over from Captain Nome as the coach. We lost to
the outstanding bonds of life at the College. This is
GPS 10-5 in a hard-fought match and then beat Royals
typified by the spirit that sees a group of our Class,
again in the Grand Final 16-5, with captain Ian Way
including three members of the team, J.A.D. (Tony) Barr,
receiving the Dent Cup from the South African
B.H.(Brian) Rankin and P.W. (Paul) Levin (NZ), meeting
Ambassador.
every few weeks for a simple, lively and pleasant lunch on
Sydney's North Shore, more than 50 years on.
1954. We defeated City Colts 28-24 in May in a brilliant
performance against a first class side with some young
internationals and finally defeated GPS 28-11 for the first
time in five years. We then promptly turned around and
Colonel I.B. MacKay entered the RMC on 2 May 1952
lost the Dent Cup - beaten in a final by Norths. That RMC and graduated on 13 December 1955 into the Royal
was no longer totally dominating, was partly a measure of
Australian Infantry Corps. He returned to the RMC on
the start of the improvement in ACT Rugby standards,
27 January 1964 as the Instructor in Military Law and
which of course has culminated, 50 years on, in the
the Officer Commanding the Sovereign's Company until
marvellous Brumbies of today.*
22 November 1966, during which time he was also the
coach of the 1st XK As Colonel, Strategic International
1955. We defeated GPS 26-5 and won the Dent Cup 8-3 Policy, Department of Defence, he resigned from the
against old rival Royals but there was more drama, as we Army on I May 1978. During his Army service and
had to wait until the Monday evening after the Grand Final subsequently he continued a very active involvement in
for a Management Meeting of ACTRU, to decide that the Rugby as a referee and coach. Since 1990 he has been a
member of the Australian Barbarians Committee which
*RMC did win subsequent premierships, the 'last hurrah' being in 1962.
aims, with good support from John Eales and Rod
The ma~ellouslyti tled From Chook Raffles to Super 12s -A History of
Rugby Union in the ACT by Rod Christopher details this rise. McQueen, to preserve traditional Rugby values.
At the Sydney Showgrounds on 6 August 1955, the RMC XV ready to play against the combined Greater Public
Schools in the last contest for the Forsayth Shield. Posssibly one of the 'best ever' RMC Rugby teams.
From the left, back row: B.T.A. Worsnop (1955),J .D. McGuire (1957),G .P. Carleton (1956),K .J. McGhee (1955),
J.A. McConaghy (1955),F .J. Cross (1956),N .J. Thomson (1956) & Major R.G.P.StV McNamara (1942) coach.
Centre row: D.V Spicer (19 57), M.J. Hall (1955) Vice-captain,I .B. MacKay (1955) Captain,
J.E.E. Simson (1956),M .M. Van Gelder (1955) & D.J. Gilroy (1958).
Sitting: K.E. Newman (1955),J .G. Hughes (1956) & I.S. Fisher (1956).
Cadet Foster Families in Zealanders (as independent as ever!) do not consider
themselves in need of foster family support. However,
Canberra
foster families are very important to the others.
If you would like to take on a foreign foster son (or
Would you like periodic contact with a foreign cadet daughter) after their basic training in Alamein Company is
at Duntroon for about 15 months? complete, then let Warrant Officer Tom Byrne know on
The Foreign Students Foster Family Scheme at the [phone].
RMC needs more foster families in the Canberra
community.
A foster family provides a home away from home
Editor
for a foreign cadet. The cadet gains support and
Colonel R.R. Harding (Retd)
friendship, much needed in the life that cadets lead these
37 Quandong St.,
days. The foster family gains insights into the RMC cadet
O'CONNOR, A.C.T. 2602
life (so very different today) and into a foreign country,
Telephone: [phone]
usually a close neighbour.
The RMC started this scheme about ten years ago
Associate Editor
and some of the scheme's first cadets have subsequently
Colonel W.J. Slocombe (Retd)
returned as married officers on the RMC staff.
Foreign cadets at Duntroon these days are mostly 1 Highland Close,
from New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Malaysia, The Ridgeway,
Singapore, Brunei, Philippines, Thailand, Tonga, Vanuatu, QUEANBEYAN, N.S.W. 2620
United Arab Emirates and East Timor. The New Telephone: [phone]
The Fifth Biennial inter-Branch Reunion
Beechworth, 10-12 May 2002
The location for inter-Branch reunions has moved BY0 lunch and, in greater quantities, for domestic
steadily eastward since the first was held in 1994. The consumption.
NSW Branch Executive, whose turn it was to run the fifth, A diversion at Murmungee on the return journey
chose as the venue the historic town of Beechworth in north led to the long-established farm and home of Clem
Victoria, which is about as far east as it is practicable to and Dorothy Orton. They, and some of their family and
go, having regard to members travelling from distant parts. friends, welcomed the group with a splendid and generous
In what has become a very pleasant routine, Society barbecue lunch, set in restful surrounds under the trees
Members and guests gathered for drinks and an informal near the homestead with distant views of the gentle
dinner on the Friday evening at The Old Priory, a large countryside. For many years Clem Orton has collected an
and rambling former convent building dating from 1887. amazing number of ordinary, but now historic, farm and
It was a time well spent for fellowship and catching up household implements and tools, carefully restored them
with old friends, and it certainly heightened the and has arranged them in his fascinating 'Originals of
anticipation for what was to come. Yesteryear' museum in an old woolshed. Natural
As though made to order, a clear and slightly chilly raconteur and born showman, Clem instructed and
morning showed Beechworth at its colourful autumnal entertained successive groups in his museum; occasionally
best. Some 55 boarded the luxury coach for a brief guided items on display would spark memories in the audience,
tour of the 'best preserved gold town in Victoria' and an reminding them of the passing years. The warm and
excursion into the surrounding district. The first stop was friendly atmosphere, the urge to sit, finish the wine,
at the abandoned mining site and diggings at Woolshed reminisce and just watch the grass grow, made it difficult
Falls, where a guide led the more agile and energetic to leave the farm when the time came to return to
reunioneers on a hike through the old goldfield, pointing Beechworth.
out features of interest and describing the almost desperate That evening the Reunion Dinner was held in the
efforts of thousands of diggers once crammed into their main dining room of The Old Priory. A total of 63 sat
small claims living it rough and hoping for El Dorado. down to dinner, and the Members and their guests
Morning tea a1 fresco awaited them on their return to the represented all the mainland States and the ACT and
starting point. included some renegade New Zealanders. As is usual at
With its passengers refreshed, the coach headed such functions, the company, the food and the wines were
south to Myrtleford and the Michelini Winery. Tasting worthy of the occasion and the camaraderie of the
and wine talk preceded the purchase of bottles for the later Duntroon Society. Many of the same old faces reappeared
Reunioneevs enjoying the morning walk and guided on the old Woolshed Falls goldfield
LUU~
Relaxing afer the generous barbeque lunch at Orton's Farm. The organiser and some of his friends.
From the left: J.G. (John)S edgley (1938),& G.(Geofiey)H ollings, N.R. (Chick) Charlesworth,
R.F. (Rob)M orison & R.W.O. (Roy) Pugh, all of 1948.
Reunion Dinner a1 the Old Priory.
From [he IeB: Sandra & P. (Phil)D avies (1961).R urh & R A. (Bob)S later (1963).
Zena Sharples & R.H.A. (Richard)C oates (OCS Dec 1975) & Judy & A.M. (Tony)S tove (1963).
- including those of veteran reunioneers, J.G. (John) Branch & other Reports
Sedgley (1938) and his wife Mary. Another who does not
let age, reduced mobility or distance deter him was D. Australian Capital Territory
(Don) Willett (1943) from Adelaide who, with his wife,
The Duntroon Society Executive Dinner was held in
has been to all of the Biennial Reunions. Sadly, there were
the old dining room of Duntroon House on the evening
scarcely any young ones. The NSW Branch Convener,
before the Executive Council meeting of 17 October 2002
Roy Pugh (1948) spoke briefly and presented apologies and
with 17 attending.
greetings from Members who were unable to attend the
Reunion, including the Commandant RMC, Brigadier
New South Wales
M.F. Paramor (1976) and Mrs Paramor. The diners
expressed their appreciation to Roy and the organising The Branch held a Winter Lunch for Members and
committee, and to Roy's daughter Liz, who was a co-opted ladies at the Officers' Mess, Victoria Barracks, Paddington
honorary extra organiser and photographer. on 26 June 2002. The RMC Commandant, Brigadier M.F.
The SA Branch Convener, N.R. (Neville) Bergin (Michael) Paramor (1976) and Mrs Paramor attended as
(1956), was another who spoke and, perhaps moved by the guests of the Branch. After lunch, Brigadier Paramor
spirit of the gathering, incautiously noted that another spoke to an appreciative audience about the RMC of today
reunion should be held in 2004 and, indeed, volunteered to which, of course, is rather different from the RMC that
organise it! ! they once knew.
Next morning a considerable number of tired The gathering expressed its best wishes to Colonel
reunioneers drifted into the now famous Beechworth E.L. (Leo) Cook (1933), who celebrated his 90th birthday
Bakery for Sunday brunch before wending their several on 8 July 2002. Colonel Cook, incidentally, won the lucky
ways home. door prize, which was a small illustrated manual entitled,
The 8.5 Ways to Tie a Tie.
The Branch ran the 5th Biennial inter-Branch
Reunion at Beechworth on the second weekend of May
2002. A more complete report is on p.4.
New Zealand
On Monday, 10 June 2002 thirty eight Auckland
Members and their wives enjoyed an excellent dinner in
the Northern Club. This is an annual function and, with
attendance slightly lower than in the past, it has been
decided to hold a luncheon function near Christmas to see
whether a changed time and format may suit more
Members.
On Thursday, 13 June 2002 sixty one Wellington
Members and their wives gathered at the Officers' Mess
Trentham Camp for their annual mid-year dinner. The
RMC Colour Party made by 'Brigadier' Model Soldiers, principal guest-and speaker was ~ a j o-r~ eneraJl. (Jerry)
Beechworth, to mark the Duntroon Society Reunion. Mateparae who was recently appointed Chief of the
General Staff. General Mateparae is a graduate of OCS
Portsea (December 1976) and is a keen supporter of the
Society.
Artillery Museum North Fort
Queensland
Memorial Pavers
On Thursday, 9 May 2002 the Branch joined with
Scheyvillians of the OTU Association at their Monthly
D.J. (David) Davies (1942) has advised that the
Lunch. Regrettably only three Duntroon Society Members
Artillery Museum North Fort at North Head, Manly has
were able to attend.
established a Walk of Honour connecting the five
memorial stations which are designed to commemorate the
South Australia
operations of Australian Armed Services in Colonial Wars,
WWI, WWII, Post-1945 Operations and Peacekeeping The Branch round of the 2002 Annual Postal Golf
Operations. Competition was played at Grange Golf Club on Friday,
The Walk is to be constructed from pavers engraved 27 September. The day turned out to be showery and very
(by using computer-controlled technology) with names and windy and, unfortunately, the team results reflected the
details of individuals who died on active service in any of difficult conditions. Nevertheless, when we forwarded the
the Services, and which have been sponsored by relatives, team results to the Chainnan of the Match Committee, he
old comrades and others. advised that we are presently leading this year's
Anyone who wishes to sponsor a memorial paver competition. Apparently no other results had been lodged
should obtain an order form from: The Manager, Artillery at that time! While the seven participants enjoyed the day,
Museum, North Fort, PO Box 1042, Manly NSW 1655. it has been suggested that we need to recruit a number of
One inscribed paver costs $50, each additional paver is club professionals into our Branch if we ever hope to
$40. topple the seemingly invincible Kiwis and Canberrans!
Tasmania Report of the OTU Member
Discussions are continuing with the major ARES Arrangements to remove the gateposts from
units regarding Members of the Society providing a Scheyville Park (the old OTU area) and relocate them at
mentoring role for newly commissioned ARES officers, Duntroon are continuing. These included negotiations
where this would be appropriate. Talks have been given to with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services. Part
officers attending the Intermediate Staff Course d d to of those negotiations is the offer to provide Scheyville Park
groups of junior officers and senior NCOs on leadership in with replica gateposts and a history/information board for
combat and Korean War operations. However, due to the public display at the park. When the gateposts are released
paucity of pre-1997 Duntroon graduates in Tasmania, the the plan is for them to be placed in the same area in the
lack of progress in recruiting new Society Members has RMC grounds as the OCS Memorial and the Kathleen Best
been frustrating. Any suggestions to improve this situation Gates
would be welcome.
Western Australia
On Wednesday, 16 October 2002 the Branch held a
luncheon in the Officers' Mess at Leeuwin Barracks with
17 attending, including one OCS graduate. The venue
provided a pleasant view over the Swan River and also
added to the enjoyment of the occasion.
Beating Retreat and the 1812 Overture
Beating Retreat and the performance of the 1812
Overture was held on 26 & 27 September 2002. Over the
two evenings approximately 10,000 attended with about
2,000 hopefuls being turned away from the Friday event.
At the lunch table on 26 June 2002. (See the NSW Brunch Report on thc.facing page.)
From the left: Brigadier Michael Paramor (1976).M rs Margaret Henry & Colonel Leo Cook (1933)
RMC Rugby
The Dent Cup - 40 Years On
David S. Wilkins
RMC has won the Jolm I. Dent Memorial Cup for For those interested in comparison with modem day
the ACT Rugby Union First Grade premiership on statistics, the team's average forward weight was about
15 occasions since its inception in 1938'. The last of those 84 kgs with the heaviest at 91 kgs. The second rowers'
premierships was 40 years ago - in 1962. I considered the heights were 6'2" and 6'3" or 188 and 191 cms. This
occasion warranted a mention in the Duntroon Society wasn't particularly small at the time, but a feature of this
Newsletter. and many of the RMC teams of that era, was the speed and
In recounting the details of this team and rugby of fitness of both forwards and backs.
that era, I have used terms as they were then used. For The 1962 grand final for the ACT Premiership was
example, I refer to the rugby position 'lock' as it was in won by RMC against Royals in appallingly wet conditions
1962. It is now known as 'No 8'. Similarly, 'second row' caused by non-stop torrential rain during the preceding
in 1962 is now 'lock'. This must have been a trifle days. The ground began as a lake where at times the ball
difficult for our Kiwi contingent and coach (Major R.K.G. floated on the surface and those caught at the bottom of
Porter) who occasionally reverted to the language from the rucks were fearful of drowning. By the game's end the
Shaky Isles where their 'No 8' was our 'lock' in Australia, lake had become a quagmire. Despite this, renowned
and their 'lock' was our 'second row'. referee Doug Blake remained almost spotless.
RMC lstX V had won the ACT premiership in my Our coach Major Ralph Porter (NZ) had wisely
4" Class in 1960 and again in my 3rd Class in 1961 with assessed these potential conditions and also .the need to
such outstanding players as R.F. (Reg) Sutton (1960), and, alter our semi-final tactics, by making some contingency
from the 1961 Class, A.J. (Arthur) Fittock, P.J. (Peter) plans. He issued each player with an Operational Order, a
Beny, J.K. (Jack) Byrnes and P.K. (Peter) Shaw, just to 'green' screed, marked 'Confidential', detailing the game
name a few. The problem always was of course, the roller- plan of tactics and moves to cover the likely scenarios in
coaster effect of a strong graduating class which left the such conditions2. It is a four-page document, too long to
following years to fill the void. include with this article, but for those interested I can
The 1962 Firsts contained only five players from the email you a copy (email: [email protected]).
previous year, but in 1961 the RMC 2ndX V also played in The RMC game plan was controlled by a number of
the ACT First Grade competition, with players from all codenames which would dictate variation of the play,
four College years, a majority coming from 3rdC lass. The depending on the conditions and Royals' responses to our
1961 Seconds acquitted themselves well and thereby own play. Our normal play of the forwards obtaining
established a sound basis for a successful 1962 season. possession for the backs to score out wide was called
'Anvil'. Variations to this included 'Overlord' which
Indeed, the 1962 Firsts, captained by hooker K.P.
involved a variety of kicking moves behind the opposition
(Pat) Murphy (1962), produced a distinguished record
backs or into the box just behind the opposition lineout,
playing 23 games, winning 19 of them and losing four. It
scrum or ruck. Another variation was nicknamed
scored 427 points and conceded 181. At the time, a try
'Foxhound', a series of reverse plays and switches which,
was worth 3 points, a conversion 2 points and a penalty
in modem terms is referred to as changing the running
3 points. In addition to the Dent Cup, the team won the Is'
angles.
Division Challenge Cup and the RMC-HAC Cup.
Being a cyclonic day however, the main ploy was to
revert from 'Anvil' to 'Battle Axej3 and keep the ball in
1962 Grand Final Winning Team
the forwards, or for the halfback or five-eighth to retum
P.T. (Pat) Crowley (1962) (Full Back)
the ball to the forwards' control. As the coach's
D.J. (Dave) Solomons (1963) (Wing)
Operational Order stipulated: Whenever possible forwards
J.W. (John) Redward (1964) (Outside Centre)
pass amongst themselves with a second row backing up. If
T.J. (Tim) Britten (1964) (Inside Centre)
the ball goes loose toe, toe, toe! The forwards did just
A.E. (Alan) White (1965) (Wing)
that; dictating the play and initiating the attack. Murphy
D.S. (Dave) Wilkins (1963) (Five-eighth) and Hickton were outstanding in the tight.
D.A. (Duncan) Spencer (1962) (Halfback) Royals had some wonderful players including
J.D. (Doug) Thomson (1963) (Lock) Wallaby centre Peter Scott, but their forwards were unable
T. (Tony) Loorparg (1963) (Breakaway) to control the ball. The RMC pack dominated in the tight
R.J. (Ron) Sherman (1963) (Breakaway) and was quicker to the breakdown, particularly through the
R.R. (Ross) Bishop (1964) (Second Rower) speed and aggression of the back rowers Ron (Tanky)
R.C.J. (Col) Hickton (1962) (Second Rower) Sherman, Tony Loorparg and Doug Thomson. RMC
P.M. (Peter) Arnison (1962) (Prop) scored four tries in all, two by breakaway Sherman. By
design, there were few back line movements but when the
D.M. (Dave) Hannell(1963) (Prop)
K.P. (Pat) Murphy (1962) (Hooker) (Capt)
Coach: Major R.K.G. Porter (1943) Dave Hannell says he subsequently attended Divisional operational
briefings less detailed than Ralph's.
'Battle Axe' pattern required the forwards to dictate the play and initiate
The ACTRU Rugby News, Vol 10, No 21, Saturday 15 Sep 1962, Pp.12- the attack. The backs stood flat and did not participate, except to defend. If
13. RMC won in 1938, 1939, 1941, 1945, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1959 (RMC the ball went to the backs then it was returned to the forwards either by
2). 1951,1952, 1953,1955,1960,1961 and 1962. passing or by an up and under kick.
A messy but victorious moment during the Den/ Cup Grand Final in 1962 at the Northbourne Oval (now the
Rugby League Park) as John Redward scores our wide with Dave Solomons in support.
1962 Grand Final winning team.
Standing from the left: T. (Tony)L oorparg (1963),D .J. (Dave)S olomons (1963),J .G. (Doug) Thompson (1963),
R.B. (Ross)B ishop (1964),D .M. (Dave)H annell(1963),A .E. (Alan) White (1965),T .J. (Tim)B ritten (1964).
Seated from the left: J.W. (John)R edward (1964),D A. (Duncan)S pencer (1962),R .C.J. (Csl)H ickton (1962),
P.T.(Pat) Crowley (1962),M ajor R.K.G. (Ralph)P orter (coach),K .P. (Pat)M urphy (1962)(Captain),
P.M. (Peter)A rnison (1962),R .J. (Ron) Sherman (1963) & D.S.(Dave) Wilkins (19 63).
ball was spun wide during 'Anvil' there was success. Pat Profile of the Students at the
Crowley made a long penetrating run from full back when
RMC
he joined the back line, only to be pulled down yards from
the try line; and two tries were scored by outside backs Current strength (29 October 2002) 323
John Redward and Alan White following a quick transfer CSC 280
of the ball from the forwards and through the slick hands First Class 135
of the inside backs Spencer, Wilkins and Britten. Second Class 80
The final score was RMC 15 (4 tries, 1 penalty) to Third Class 65
Royals 0. Specialist Service Officers Advanced 43
Sporting prowess and achievement is recognised at Course
Duntroon by awarding colour~.~It is rare however for Brunei 2
Honour Caps to be awarded. The measure of this 1962 Fiji 6
team is that six of its members received Honour Caps in Malaysia 1
this and following years - Pat Murphy, Pat Crowley and New Zealand 1
Colin Hickton in 1962, Ron Sherman and Tony Loorparg Papua New Guinea 6
in 1963 and John Redward in 1964. Some of the team RAAF 15
progressed to major rugby achievements after college life; Singapore 1
some played at international level. Also there were Thailand 1
Wallaby trialists, All Black trialists, State players and NZ Tonga 1
provincial representatives. United Arab Emirates 1
Rugby followers may have noticed that successful ADFA Graduates 83
teams are invariably happy and cohesive. This was such a ADFA Transfers 6
team. Married 24
Females 33
Each member of the RMC 1962 grand final team was awarded a full colour Cadets with previous military experience 45
for rugby.
In addition to those at Duntroon the number in training in
Colonel D.S. Wilkins entered the RMC on 12 February University Regiments is approximately 520.
1961 and graduated on 10 December 1963 into the Royal
Australian Infantry Corps. He returned to the RMC as
OjJicer Commanding Sovereign Company from 10
August 1971 to 6 October 1972. As the Chief Legal
Oficer of 2 Military District he transferred to the Active
CMF in March 1986 and continues to serve part-time as
JudgeAdvocate on Courts Martial and as a Defence
Force Magistrate.
Six of the 1962 Grand Final team at a gathering in March 2002 at the official home of one of the participants.
From the left: R.J. (Tank) Sherman (1963),P .M. (Peter)A rnison (1962),D .S. (David) Wilkins (1963),
R.B. (Ross)B ishop (1964) & T.J. (Tim)B ritten (1964).