The Transition Years (1980 - 1989)

The ‘70s had been an enormously successful and fulfilling decade for the club.  It had won a First Grade Premiership, numerous sevens tournaments as well as many in the other grades.  It had grown and developed itself into a proud, well-known club and part of the fabric of the rugby community in Victoria. The celebration of the Golden Jubilee in 1979 had capped a wonderful period for its members. Yet the new decade started with another sad event for the club.

Nick Driver died on 20th January.  Nick had been a member since the 1960s and had played in all grades before becoming an institution in the front row of the 4ths.  He was a serving member of the committee at his death, and his short illness and quick passing shocked all concerned.  A friendly, very funny and unpretentious man he left his wife, Dot, and two young children, Kate and Jamie.

Nick’s example and service to the club was honoured later that year with the establishment of the Nick Driver Award for the Harlequin of the Year.  A worthy inaugural winner being David Learmonth, a fine club and State hooker for many years and great worker with his wife Anne for all things Harlequin.

What was to come in the ‘80s was a transition from the “family” atmosphere of those years to a greater sophistication and possibly a less personable character.  Where parties at various members’ houses and drinks after the games at the favourite pub were all the go in the previous years, by the end of the ‘80s the premises at Ashwood were seen by some as the “new master”.  Some thought that the ethos of the original Harlequins was possibly lost with that move.

The words of our President for 1980, Dick Carter, in his message for the February newsletter read:

The miracle of rebirth is about to occur.  Harlequins who were thoroughly jaded and exhausted at the end of September (1979) by a gruelling but successful season are emerging from summer hibernation eager and enthusiastic to start the new round of football in 1980.

It was indeed prophetic because, as muted above, the greatest change occurred at Harlequins the 1980s. The decade saw us move towards and achieve our new home at Ashwood, described in some detail in the previous chapter.  It also saw us establish towards the end of the decade a standard of success both on and off the field that would be carried into those new clubrooms.

The management of the club for the new decade in 1980 was:

• President                  Dick Carter
• Secretary                  Rod Abbott
• Treasurer                  Brian MacDonald
• Chairman, Social           John Stephens
• Chairman, Grounds          Vacant
• Captain of the Club        Jim Blackie
• Chairman, Juniors          Jim Page
• Representing Juniors       John Taylor
• General Committee          John Babister
                             Mark Baxter
                                                                 Trevor Beer
                             Stan Gyles

• Membership
  • Life Members         11
  • Ordinary Members     174
  • Total Membership     185
    

Reading today it is hard to imagine the relative cheapness of playing rugby some 20+ years ago. Club subscription in 1980 was $25.00 with only $10.00 being levied on Under 20s, full time students as well as country and interstate members. Unfortunately many still found it beyond their means or persuasion to come up with even that modest amount.  Things haven’t changed much over the years!

Under Dick Carter the club was vital and progressive with plans to re-establish the Ladies Auxiliary and another New Zealand end of season trip.  The former was achieved and is still an integral part of the club but the latter never came to fruition.  Another initiative was a progressive history of the club to be published in part series in that year’s Newsletters. This task was undertaken by that great stalwart and servant to the club, C.A. (Tony) James.

The hallowed (and sometimes smelly) grounds at Glen Iris Park were still the scene of Tuesday and Thursday evenings training sessions.  The High Street hill was also getting its fair share of work-outs.  Columbia Reserve in Glen Waverley was the home ground for the first, second and third teams’ Saturday games with Glen Iris hosting the fourth team’s and Colts’ fixtures.  The API Rooms off High Street were the focal point of post-training drinks in place of the Malvern Vale pub.

The first team’s opening match, under coach David Bray, was against the “old enemy” Melbourne at Olympic Park No. 2 and that ended in a dour 9 points to 9 draw.  Our only try being scored by Bruce McGuire, that fine (albeit wonderfully laid back) No. 8 from Queensland.  The diminutive Welshman, Ian Williams, started his prolific goal-kicking tally for the year and Seti Vailahi (later Seti Kita), who had only just started training for the season, was still in the second team.  The second team won with Seti scoring a hat-trick of tries as well as kicking 2 goals.  Needless to say the third team back row was spearheaded by Jim, “I’m never offside just very quick” Blackie, and they also came home with the bacon for a successful opening round.  As usual during that era after Olympic Park (2) games the Riverside Inn rafters were again rattled with the customary rendition of the club song.

The colts were successful in the Round Robin Competition held during May that year going through unbeaten for five games before meeting Melbourne in the Final and winning 32 points to 0.  All in all, the season looked like it was going to be a good one.

In the junior ranks the hard work of the many, notably Jim Page, the Crightons and Brookers, as well as John Ross, paid off with a great representation in the State Under 12’s, 14’s and 16’s sides that went to Sydney. Under 12 representative Phillip Brooker was named Player of the Series in his Division.

The Under 18’s State side also went to Sydney with a good representation of Harlequins, including Mark Sawyer (later a 100 Game Veteran for the first team), Ray Thomas and Brett Godfrey amongst others.  The Brooker ‘s house once again being used to host a Fund Raising Function.

The June Edition of the Newsletter carried the following:

Stolen

1965 Holden – Blue with White Roof.  Registration Number   JJD 027.  Keep an eye out and if seen, contact Andy Corp.

Andy still misses that Holden - and we are still looking for it.

Our brave Veterans started planning a Tour to USA and Canada to take place in 1981.  They organised a theatre night at Evita” with Mike Power taking names.  (Please rush as there are still some tickets left at $15.00 each) Stan Gyles was calling for any members with the words to ditties, poems and songs to help him put together a “Rugby Handbook of Songs”. The book turned out to be a great success with touring sides and new members.  Stan also was the Sun News Pictorial Newspaper’s Rugby Correspondent and covered all the games with his renowned unbiased view especially when Harlequins were playing the match of the day.

Harlequins were well represented in the Victorian Rugby Union with Colin Rowlinson as President, Keith Jones and John Penwill on the Investigations Committee and Richard Godfrey as Treasurer of the Junior Union.  On the field the VRU hosted the All Blacks with the Club contributing the 2nd Row with John Hepworth and Charlie Grieve.  For the record the Victorians went down 45 points to 6, an honourable effort against a team that was to lose only three games in Australia during that tour.  Unfortunately for them the last one was the series decider in Sydney, 10 points to 26.  One of the highlights of that Victorian game was the effort of the home pack who gave no ground to the “Blacks” and, in fact, had them “back-peddling” in more than one of the set pieces.

In final wash-up of the club’s season the first team was beaten in the first semi-final by Box Hill 11 points to 16 and ended their season there.  The second team went on to win their grand final 7 points to 3 against Melbourne.  It was a  true reflection of the dedication and effort put in by the players all year as well as justification of Hughie Fergus’ coaching and leadership qualities.  The Colts lost 6 points to 9 to University.  The third team finished out of the finalists and the fourth team (Specials) also did not figure in the silverware.  Special mention should be made of the Under 18’s who played with great heart all year to lose to in the preliminary final to Box Hill 13 points to 16. Harlequins won the Club Championship for the second consecutive season, this time by 43 points a good reflection of the season.

Between rugby seasons the cricket team enjoyed a successful 1980/81 season. The only blot in six matches was the loss, by 8 runs, to Scottish Amicable in the last game.  This, despite Andy Fisher rushing back from a pre-season rugby trial match to take six wickets and score 44 runs.  Another great contributor on the field was Colin Jackson (not the Welsh twice 110 metres hurdles World Champion!) who enjoyed batting practice with Harlequins while playing for District side Prahran on Saturdays.  John Stephens did a fine job organising the team that summer.

The Christmas Party at Randy and Rosie Cresswell’s elegant Hawthorne home saw the year out with many a fine Australian “red” helping  plans being made for an even better one to come.

Dick Carter again took up the mantle as President with many of the previous year’s committee back for more. The juniors had a new Chairman in Jeremy Courtenay, a member of the 1975 Premiers, with Mike Power Secretary and Heather Carter, wife of the club President, Treasurer. Jim Crighton was still occupying an important role as Registrar.

Training resumed at Glen Iris Park early in 1981 even though matches (colts and fourth team excepted) were to be played at Columbia Reserve in Glen Waverley that year.  A very welcome sight pre-season was a five-eighth in the form of Ian Dunn, who later played for the All Blacks and was over enjoying some Australian hospitality (while the air created by the Springboks NZ tour cleared in his particular neighbourhood).  Ian was to play exceptionally well for the club as well as for Victoria.

The mythology of Glen Iris was still being created despite relatively few competition matches being played there. Who of those there could ever forget Jack Cron chasing after some poor miscreant on a trail bike who blundered onto Sunday morning finals’ training.  Jack, with ball in hand, ran away from the pack, as only wingers do, and entertained the rest of us berating this poor youth, whose bike had stalled in his panic.  It was made completely unambiguous to this stranger to our training that he was to never again tarnish this rugby ground with his presence.  Jack punctuated his tirade with a well-aimed rugby ball.  Training somehow lost its focus after that, and drinks were taken. Jack Cron was another of those oddballs for whom the club was so attractive and vice versa. Jack joined the club in the early 70’s and maintained to this day a relationship despite living for 90% of that time outside Melbourne. On his irregular visits to the club he would corral some old mates and talk rugby until the mates collapsed with fatigue! Jack has worked in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the US, has never bought a dwelling and insists all his worldly possessions should fit in one suitcase.

The Malvern Council continued to offer some support but also found itself in the “Freeway limbo”.  The requested upgrade to the frugal training lights was not forthcoming so the club bought/acquired some floodlights and these were installed by one of our N.Z. West Coasters, John Wallace.  It should be noted that the club in the ’80s and afterwards was to be very well served by a succession of West Coasters both on and off the field.

Storm damage to the rooms at Columbia Reserve also caused some consternation to the Treasurer, that financially dour, yet socially most amenable Scotsman, Brian MacDonald.  Luckily the Harlequin faithful relieved Brian’s blood pressure contributing to a healthy post-match beer sales profit after games shared between various grounds.

The social scene was somewhat disjointed but managed to coordinate functions put on by the seniors, juniors vets etc. One memorable function was the Jim Moody organized Hangi held at John Hepworth’s place. However the transition from the traditional Harlequin social scene revolving around various members’ homes to external venues was beginning. Thank goodness the Ladies Auxiliary was there to show stability and they organised some great events, such as the Dutch Auction, “Bangers and Mash” and Rock and Roll Nights. With the men playing at so many different locations it seemed only the ladies were able to get things done socially.

The API Rooms in Glen Iris once again were the focal point for the post-training de-briefing sessions, involving beer and sometimes food, which Gerry Considine and Jim Lamb took care of very capably.

The rugby that year was highlighted by a first team appearance in the grand final, the first for 5 years, only to disappoint with a 6 points to 17 loss to Moorabbin.  The previous game that got them there was a thriller against Box Hill, incidentally their 13th consecutive win for the team that season.

The second team, still under Hughie Fergus again came home with the silverware.  The odd lapse during the season was easily forgotten when, for the second year in a row, Power House lost to Harlequins in the final.  Hughie was an extremely popular man around the Club involving himself in everything to do with rugby.  His contribution was rewarded with the second Nick Driver Award (Harlequin of the Year). He also introduced his son Greg to the juniors where he played some good rugby. Later Greg was to coach Melbourne to a first grade premiership in 2003.

The third team, under John Sunde, finished equal first but lost the minor premiership on percentage.  Their finals form was disappointing losing consecutive matches to bow out of the competition.  They did, however, win the Plate final in the V.R.U. seven-a-side tournament, so all in all they had a good season.

The fourth team (Social) kept everyone guessing right up until the very last home and away game where everything was on the line against Box Hill.  The game ended in a 6-all draw and that gave Harlequins a 3 % points advantage over the second placed team – you guessed it, Box Hill!  In that grade there were no finals and, needless to say, the fourth team were “Kings of the Town” that Saturday night, although some team members had forgotten how to celebrate-it had been such a long time.

Andy Corp’s colts was a team chock full of talent that season and proved very successful with only 2 losses during the normal rounds.  The finals unfortunately proved a stumbling block and they went down to University in that all-important last game of the season.  Captained by Nick Shepherd, the team was a fine cohesive unit and produced Brett Godfrey (now Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Blue) and Miles Prince for the State Under 18’s with Mark Sawyer and Nick gaining a place in the State Under 21’s.  Nick went on to be rewarded with an Australian Under 21’s trial that year.

All in all, the season was very successful for the club but, unfortunately, what is now remembered is that loss by the first team in the final game.

On a brighter note the State team hosted the Five Nations Champions, France, and produced a heart-stopper, leading the tourists until, with 10 minutes to go, a Serge Blanco try and the subsequent conversion, snuffed out any chance of an upset win.  Ian Dunn, Jim Moody and Charlie Grieve were the Harlequin representatives on the night that produced arguably some of the best rugby seen in Victoria for many years.

The juniors enjoyed a season of great achievement under the chairmanship of firstly, Bruce Norton and then Alan Low.  Fielding a full complement of teams from Under 8’s to Under 18’s and, refreshingly having great support from the senior players as coaches, they proved the making of some great  future players. Coaches such as Brett and Mark Godfrey, Neil Carter, John Wiseman, Mark (Carrots) Thornton, Rob Penerata, Alan Low and Bruce Norton made the juniors a formidable force in Victorian rugby.  Many of that year’s crop pulled on the State jersey, with Alan Fraser excelling and being selected for the Australian Under 16’s team. The relationship between the junior and senior sections of the club was excellent and was reflected in the seamless movement of players from junior to senior ranks. Happy memories, with much more of the same to come.

The veterans made their tour to the USA and Canada playing seven matches and winning four of them.  There were some “ring-ins” involved in order to achieve this but that seemed to be the norm in veterans’ rugby, at that time still in its infancy.

A planned end-of-season Jersey Match tour by Hobart Harlequins was cancelled, so a tour to Canberra brought the season to its end with 19 players traveling.  We lost to  Eastern Suburbs 8 point to 18 but the clubs and licensed premises of the capital were given a hard work out and, despite all tourists being of exemplary behaviour, another chapter in the club’s unwritten book of touring stories was completed. (Chatham House rules apply to all tours, so only those who toured know the true stories)

An incoming tour from the St. Paul’s Collegiate School, Hamilton, New Zealand was hosted by the Colts.

The Cricketers had another successful season and won back “The Bat” from Scottish Amicable, the old rivals.  A blend of new blood and unorthodox but effective batting won the day.  The Fawkner Park wicket was rock hard much to the enjoyment of the “quickies”, but the legions of budding “Bruce Yardley” spinners were unable to display their true qualities. While batting, power hitting accounted for two bats that disintegrated on the same day – one way to get some new kit!

There were many whose generosity and hospitality that year must be acknowledged.  The Rizio Brothers, for those nights at the Riverside Inn, and Jimmy in particular for his support in straightening out member’s cars (and there were a few of those) at Boulevard Motors in Richmond.  The Hepworths, Wilsons, Brays and Brookers for the use of their houses for various functions.  And who could forget that Wine Bottling at Brian MacDonald’s?  It was on a hot day with the first dozen whites into the freezer to be enjoyed with a late lunch. 

Dick Carter stepped down from the Presidency due to work commitments at BHP and the reins were taken up by Stan Gyles.  Dick’s significant contribution to the club as a player and official continued, with his taking on the Chair of Premises at a critical time for the club.

In the juniors section Richard D’Acre and Roy Capener joined the committee that they led with distinction for many years.

The Gods of rugby continued to be undecided about Harlequins.  On the one hand the Club had the best juniors organisation, some of the most talented senior players, and administrators and managers to burn.  But, on the other hand, we were putting the playing seasons together the same way the jerseys were made – in a patchwork.  The 1982 season was no exception.

The finals disappointments continued. The first team after a mid-season slump finished third on the ladder.  It accounted for Kiwis and Box Hill in the lead up to the grade final only to be overpowered by Moorabbin for the second consecutive year.  A heavy commitment to the State representative program compounded the team’s problems.  Ken Smart, Jim Moodie, Geoff Wilson, Rod (Wombles) Morton, John Cox, Charlie Grieve and Graham Rolls (ABC Victorian Rugby Player of the Year) all represented Victoria that year.  Even though these players usually ran with the team after State training on weeknights there was enormous strain on the cohesiveness of the unit and the continuity of its rugby.  This also disrupted the second team, which was defeated in the preliminary final, also by Moorabbin.

A star was born in the ranks of the third team in the form of fledgling coach Alan Campbell, an ex-Rhodesian representative and a talented player on the wing and side of the scrum.  Alan was silly enough to pull on the boots a half dozen or so times during the season (2 tries, 6 conversions and 2 penalty goals for 26 points). It was the start of an unprecedented and very successful coaching career for the man known as “Biltong”.  Alan served the club as a coach (and “cameo” player) for two decades.  His passion for strong and creative rugby brought many a trophy back to the clubhouse and back there you had to stay with Alan at the bar to properly celebrate the victory - few had the constitution to do so.  On the playing side the third team went down 8 points to 10 in the first semi-final to Combined Services (Portsea). For away games to Portsea and Puckpunyal David Learmonth drove the bus, which made for some interesting trips home, and continued the long established Harlequin tradition of enjoying the hospitality of the Services.

We started off the season with what we thought were enough players to field a fourth team and Allan Low took up the dubious honour of coach, manager AND organiser. We lost some players along the way and the team finished on the bottom of the table.  They, more often than not, took on the top sides with only 11 players and were unlucky to lose on a couple of occasions. As is Allan’s character he never shirked the extra duties but his end of year report displayed another of his qualities – that of straightforwardness.

Regrettably no points statistics were recorded for the season.  No apologies are offered.  It was enough for one individual to chase up players week by week, select teams within seconds of taking the field, keep an eye on playing jerseys and on occasions, hobble onto the playing field.

Those were the thoughts of yet another player venturing into the coaching and administration minefield that was Victorian club rugby 1980’s style.  Allan went on to bigger and better coaching positions, the Committee and eventually President.  Now residing in Christchurch, Alan is a Life Member.

Our social side, ably led by Jim Glencross and Mike Sizer, had a more subdued season this year with a 9 to 8 win/loss statistic.  It was noted that they social aspect in their competition was improving and it was hoped that the VRU would introduce a minimum age limit in that grade.  Too often players too lazy to play “grade” but too young to be “socialites” were playing in the competition, resulting in some imbalance and subsequent injuries to the less young of the breed.

Colts, as was often the case in those years, saved the day.  A very well drilled and dedicated crew ran out 5 try winners against Croydon in the grand final.  They also clinched the minor premiership.  Coach Ted Fritz, an unassuming and popular American, who some years earlier, had been persuaded to put on his boots for the fourth team, and captain Miles Prince were blessed with some elegant backs and hard running forwards, many of whom went on to much higher honours.  They were a pleasure to watch as long as you weren’t on the receiving end.

The juniors fielded teams in all age groups from Under 8’s to Under 18’s and it was pleasing to once again have a number of senior players coaching the juniors.  The 8’s and 14’s were premiers and 12’s and 18’s runners-up.  In the seven-a-side competition the Under 11’s and 13’s won and the Under 15’s were runners-up.  The “usual suspects” were still working hard behind the scenes. Seasons like those produced a fine crop of future senior players.  Alan Frazer again impressed the National Selector and toured New Zealand with the Under 17 side. Unfortunately he sustained an injury there that kept him sidelined for much of the season.

During the summer months the cricketers continued to stand for hours under the hot sun, which seemed to entertain them, and the “off-season” activities gave the club a good focal point and a not very good excuse to have a couple of beers.  As usual they acquitted themselves very well as their Annual Report attests;

The season proved to be a most successful one.  The Club was undefeated through its five-match season: some victories were close, especially that against the arch rivals Melbourne R.U.F.C. and the Scottich Amicable F.S.   Success has its burdens and that of captain Shadbolt is to play host to the Artificial Leg, the not so cherished trophy for the Melbourne game.

Our reputation is spreading, it is now much more difficult to find suitable opposition.  The Harlequin Colts were entertained by the Gentlemen, more for light entertainment than for serious practice, and thrashed by 45 runs.  The more formidable Riverside Ratbags went the same way even though they were reinforced by “Killer Keith” and “Bruiser Bob”. 

The New Zealand Tour Operators were quickly dispatched.

Some of the greatness of the side lay with the skills of the opener Tony Drake and his companion Consedine.  Avison and Dehar added depth and the spin bowlers took full advantage of the drought cracked turf.

Modesty is not an affliction that affects Harlequin cricketers!

The club ended the season with a surplus of just over $2,000 but in his end of season report Stan Gyles lamented the drop in the performance on the field.  We had been beaten for the last two years in the first grade grand final and the players felt it badly.  We had a lot of promise coming up through the ranks and Stan exhorted the club to look forward to the 1983 season.

Maybe a true reflection of the year was the complete absence of nominations for the Nick Driver Award.  There was no Harlequin of the Year and angry words were exchanged at the club dinner when this was announced.  It was a low spot in the club’s history with a certain amount of factionalism in evidence. The 1980’s was a period of change with big winners and big losers among the clubs that were able or unable to adapt. The Harlequins seemed to oscillate between the extremes. We continued to grow but reluctantly started to leave the comfort of the amateur era and were being dragged biting and scratching into the professional “business” world of 1980’s rugby. The scent of change in the air left more than a few feeling wary.  The club’s financial membership stood at 194.

With the disagreements of the previous year hopefully behind us the club moved into the 1984 season but members found that the dust had not yet settled.  During the year we one member was barred from club activities and two others were severely reprimanded.  This was unprecedented, a nadir in our history.  It demonstrated just how unsettled and unhappy a community we had become. There were no nominations for the position of Hon. Secretary and it was not until seven months into the year that the stalwart David Learmonth put up his hand.  There was also a great deal of difficulty attracting coaches with  Andrew Sullivan and Don Brooker stepping into the third team and colts positions a week before the first game. An “overseas” coach, Barry Bracewell was appointed to the first team but he had to stand down half way through the year causing a great deal of disruption to the team.  Fortunately, Keith Jones and Geoff Missen jumped into the breach and completed the season.  This was the second year in a row that an “overseas” coach had been appointed with negative results resulting in calls for the practice to stop and for coaches to be fostered from within our own ranks. 

Stan Gyles continued his Presidency with most of the previous year’s committee intact, while the juniors continued with the well-established D’Acre, Capener & Crighton organization. (They sounded like a legal practice but were in fact solid down to earth doers)

A breath of fresh air in the sometimes stuffy, blokey atmosphere of the time was the welcoming of our first-ever female committee member, Kim Norton.  Kim was the daughter of the colts and juniors coach Bruce Norton who went on to coach the Melbourne Club’s first team and the State team.

A reversion to Glen Iris Park from the wilds of Columbia Reserve for home games was warmly welcomed and resulted in an increase in crowd numbers.  The improved lights and the irreplaceable atmosphere of the place somehow made up for the dilapidated state of the old shed.  We still waded through the quagmire on wet training nights but, at least, we could now see the depth of the swamp.

Touch rugby was becoming increasingly popular and helped many of the players keep their aerobic fitness levels up in the off-season. The touch season did, however, encroach into the start of the rugby season, and there were certain conflicts over attendance at training. The less charitable also intimated that “those touch players” were bringing their summer skills into the winter game and thus the tackle rates were abysmally low.  Be all that as it may, touch during the summer months was a great way to get the men and ladies together and keep the club name fresh on people’s lips.  It should also be added that the Harlequin touch sides produced an Australian Ladies player in Colleen Loughton (wife of Scott Loughton, our first and second team hooker).

We had our traditional “laundering” of players over the summer but we retained a good core and were still able to provide the state team with Ken Smart, John McKee (who went on to coach Victoria and several elite Sydney clubs), Rod Morton and Geoff Wilson. Geoff Wilson was a typically interesting Harlequin. With his good mate Steve Parsons he was always organizing functions, trying to raise money for the club in very enterprising ways. In the committee room many would groan at some of their outrageous ideas. Since retiring from the playing field Geoff has become one of Australia’s most eminent and respected stockbrokers with his own firm in Sydney.

The first team started well with some excellent players and good wins until the coach left and they sustained four consecutive losses. It ended  their hopes of a berth in the finals. 

The second team, on the other hand, was performing very well but that tended to encourage the better players to stay with their team-mates down a grade and not make themselves available for the first team.  All in all, it was an unhappy time that we remember for all the wrong reasons. On a more positive note, Alan Campbell graduated from the third team to the second and was relishing the challenge.  Marching into the grand final they disposed of Box Hill 15 points to 6.  Our prop Greg Martin, an ex-Auckland representative player, put the ball down beside the post late in the second half then entertained with an unforgettable victory dance.  He wasn’t pretty AND he couldn’t dance – but we didn’t put him on the paddock to do that anyway.

The third team with Andrew Sullivan as the coach lost only three games during the home and away season.  This secured them the Minor Premiership, but their finals campaign faltered and they lost to Melbourne 4 points to 9 in the preliminary final.   Although this loss was disheartening the season was a great success, bearing in mind the lateness of the coaching appointment and their requirement to play at venues away from the rest of the Harlequin teams.   With a welcome surfeit of players at pre-season training the club fielded a fourth team this year.  They were scheduled to play far and wide, places such as Sale, Morwell, Geelong and HMAS Cerberus were on the programme.  This took its toll. Many could not make the commitment to the away games and dropped off the list. They recorded only 4 wins, either losing or forfeiting the rest, a disappointing end to a promising start.

Our social team was its usual gregarious self, led astray mainly by Malcolm “Sylvest” MacDonald and other stalwarts such as Bruce Townsend.  The highlight of the season was undoubtedly the Golden Oldies Tournament in Sydney held in July.  Our men combined mainly with Moorabbin and Power House players to provide two mixed sides called the “Triple Clowns”.  There were also contributions from Geelong and Brighton with even the Tasmanians sending representatives.  From all accounts a great time was had by all but, once again “selective memories” preclude a comprehensive and truthful record of events.  

The colts (the glorious colts) under the shrewd and experienced eyes of the  two Dons, Coach Brooker and Manager MacPherson led on-field by Miles Prince produced a season to be savoured and remembered.  They lost only two games on the way to be Minor Premiers and then thrashed Box Hill 39 points to nil in the grand final. The majority of those colts had played in our junior sides, their success fully vindicating our policy of investing in junior rugby.

And so on to the junior for that year.  It is best summed up by the preface to their Annual Report to the club;

Again the largest Junior Club in Victoria The Harlequins fielded teams in every age group.  There were 121 registrations, a number consistent with recent years.  We should show some concern at this since a great deal of effort put into recruitment seems to have shown little return.  The under 16 group was the most precarious in number, but great in spirit when they played.  Four teams played in the finals of their grade, the Tens, and the Twelves were runners up, the Fourteens and Eighteens won their Premierships.  Success was broader based, the Elevens played in the Seven-a-Side finals, the Thirteens and Fourteens won their Sevens.

The club was well endowed with home-grown playing stock and we have seen many of these young men run out for our senior teams in the years that followed.

A pleasant distraction for those who could get there was an end of season trip to Fiji for the inaugural Air Pacific/Westpac Seven-a-Side Tournament.  The club became Victoria’s representatives through some covert background work by Jim Moodie who worked in the travel industry at the time. A Harlequin team, with a couple of extras from Moorabbin and Melbourne, as well as some willing supporters landed in Nadi Airport ready to take on the rest of the south Pacific.  Our hosts at the Hyatt Regency provided us with some unearned R&R on the way up the coast and we arrived ion Suva well refreshed.

Unfortunately, we were outclassed and outplayed in the lead-up games but we were far from disgraced.  The pool match against John Maxwell’s Randwick team impressed many of the locals who remarked on the “lively” way that we took it to the New South Welshmen.  We were left to cheer for our hosts to play off against Fiji Police for the Final.  (The Police won - as they usually do in Fiji.)

The year drew to a close and at the Annual Dinner the Nick Driver Award for the Harlequin of the Year was presented to Richard D’Acre for his great work with the juniors. This was entirely appropriate. The juniors, it was widely felt, were operating far better than the main club!

During 1984 the vision for a new clubhouse at Ashwood was accepted by the members, although it would take many years to realise that vision.

Sadly the year saw the passing of two highly regarded Life Members, Daryl Brewin and Donald Strang.

Daryl was a founding member and, as well as a rugby lover, was a cricket enthusiast and to him goes the credit for the strength of cricket ion the club.  He played in that famous match against the MCC in 1929 and “tossed the coin” when we reprised it for our 50th anniversary.

Donald Strang was a great supporter of the Club as well as of the V.R.U. where he served as an official.  A very successful businessman, his generosity and goodwill provided much needed funds throughout his association with rugby in this state.  The new Clubrooms at Ashwood were later to bear the name of Donald Strang when his family agreed to assist in the funding of the building.

Both gentlemen honoured the club with their membership and their passing left us with both gratitude and sadness.

The management of the club went “back to the future” with veteran Mike Plumbridge as President and Stan Gyles taking over the premises portfolio - in Stan’s view the most important committee role at the time.

For the first team in three years a Harlequin as opposed to a foreigner, took up the reins of the first team. Allan Low, originally from windy Timaru NZ, but by now almost Australian (All jokes aside, Alan had been a Club member for over 10 years!). As a player Allan always gave no quarter and as a Coach few things changed.  His dogged approach bore fruit. The first team won the  Minor Premiership for the first time in 32 years.  It was a great season in many ways the team scoring 83 tries with only 7 against and amassing 482 points and allowing only 85 to be scored against them. As well it won the VRU seven-a-side trophy. But they faltered going down to Kiwis in the preliminary final. An injury to Andy Cooper, our prolific goal kicker during the season, was an issue that had to be dealt with.

The first team props, Michael Telford and Dale Wellings had much to brag about keeping a certain Ewen McKenzie in the second team that year.  Ewen was soon to go north, join Randwick, gain selection for Australia and establish himself as a great Wallaby winning 51 caps between i990 and 1997.   We have fond memories of props McKenzie and Daly rolling off the back of the lineout and over the try line on 2nd November, 1991 at Twickenham for the only try of the match that won the World Cup for Australia.  The try was awarded to Tony Daly but we know the inseparable pair exerted downward pressure. Our claims to the ARU that a Melbourne Harlequin won the World cup have been curiously ignored.

Miles Prince, up from colts, and was appointed captain of the second team with John Clune coaching until his transfer to Queensland after the 11th round.  Once again, Keith Jones (you would think he would have learned by now) stepped in and took over the reigns ending a mid-season slump. With David Learmonth as manager, the team won 7 games straight to end up second on the ladder.  The team that took the field in the finals was a credit to both David and Keith, as well as to themselves, and they duly won the flag.

The third grade under John Hewitt and captained by Steve Hanlon started the season in grand style with a decisive win over University.  This was all the more pleasing as the bitter taste of two defeats at the hands of the students in the previous year still there. They obviously thought the season won and went to sleep for a few of the next games before putting in a solid eight-out-of-ten winning streak. Injuries and absenteeism towards the end of the season took their toll and the team slipped into fifth place and took an early shower.  Gerry Consedine, as manager, kept the boys guessing with his dry wit but otherwise put in a great effort in difficult circumstances.

There was a fourth team nominated but this was placed in the Second Division, First Grade competition. Initially, despite some lobbying, the club forfeited their place due to the travel and other hardships involved. This decision was reversed when Rob Peneratta and John Sturrock undertook to run the team.  After a great deal of effort and endeavour the position became untenable, and three-quarters of the way through the first round the forfeiture was confirmed. This was however not until they had gained valuable points for us which helped us clinch the Club Championship. Full marks go to both of these gentlemen and their players for trying.

The colts swept all before them. They won both the Major and Minor Premierships were collected to make a hat-trick of major premierships from 1982 to 1984.  The combination of the previous year’s Under 18’s and colts premiership players and a top class management team in Bruce Norton and Roy Capener made them invincible. However, the Under 18 competition began its decline due to lack of players.  This was due to combination of insufficient recruiting, a  lack of coaches at that crucial late teenage level, girlfriends and brand new drivers’ licences.  Harlequins had a foothold in at Melbourne Grammar and St. Kevin’s College, but not enough of that talent with a commitment to training and playing rugby was coming through.

The sociable social team continued (and continued and continued) to create folklore.  They stopped games for Lochrie’s lost teeth and marvelled at Mike (a thousand seasons in a row) Sizer’s scything bursts through the pack. It was better than watching television. They jokingly referred to Manager/Coach Richard May as the “autocrat” but, if the truth be known,  Dick was the only one who could remember to bring the jerseys every week.  They were short of backs or was it that age had made more of them honest (and slower) and they “converted” into forwards.

We hosted Hobart Harlequins during the pre-season for a short-notice Jersey Match.  It was played at Moorabbin because it was the only ground not “under wicket”, and the game went ahead.  A close first half stung our team into action and they ran in a handsome win. The end of season incoming tour was from Gordon colts was so “memorable” the match details were omitted from the year’s annual report. The Sydney lads took a huge shine to Victorian beer, had no sleep that weekend and with a beer coaster removed from every pub in Melbourne it made for a top quality bonding experience between the two clubs’ players.

We had a few in the senior state side as well as a representative in the Victoria v All Blacks game. Unfortunately for Victoria, Ian Dunn, a 1981 Harlequin, played for the opposition and helped them to a 65 points to 3 thrashing of the home side.

Touch football continued to be very popular and successful, attracting more and more wives and girlfriends.  The relaxed atmosphere appealed to many and the sport was growing beyond expectations.  Huck Smith and Seti Vaihali (alias Keta), with many helpers, were doing a fine job organising the Harlequin teams.

The 1984 Nick Driver (Harlequin of the Year) Award was presented to a person described as a tireless worker and supporter of the club as well as being a very long time player.  In 20 years John Brentnall had not changed one bit.  In fact, John was to go on to specialise in sports massage and served faithfully the club teams and the Victorian State sides for many more years. A gentle giant, he was later honoured with a Life Membership and he continued into the 21st Century getting at least one game in a year.

Ken Austin Award winner Peter Girvan (God bless second-rowers) was, indeed, a most improved player.  Peter continued into senior ranks and cemented himself into the first team for several years.

The cricket season was best described by Mike Plumbridge.

Eccentric as it may be in this day and age our cricket team continues.  Messrs Shadbolt and Consedine, as ever, issued challenges galore to settle old scores on the turf of Fawkner park.  Whether the Melbourne leg was retainable (it wasn’t, we lost) or the Scottish Amicable bat was lost (it was), was academic – what was important was that we maintained a cricket team.  We are a sporting club, members, and, whilst rugby dominates our interest all sports are our field.  Cricket is a long standing extra-curricular activity and full marks to Doug and Gerry for keeping it so.

Financially, the club was travelling very well, while socially the club was as healthy as ever.  At the annual dinner that perennial English cricketer John Emburey entertained a packed house with tales of his and English Test cricketers’ exploits.  That was in between playing for district side St. Kilda and parking Mike Plumbridge’s BMW two feet into the boot of a Holden on the Punt Road hill.  A very convivial evening at the Port Melbourne Yacht Club saw 85 kilograms of crayfish disposed of, not to mention every drop of fluid behind the bar except for the sink water.

We were entertained by a magnificent Welsh male voice choir at our various gatherings and, fittingly a leek-eater, Paul Taylor, became our inaugural after training darts champion at Glen Iris.  At Glen Waverley North, the canteen and bar were flourishing.  Although Dutch Auctions and various other traditional gatherings were starting to wain in popularity Andy Corp’s Social Committee had every right to be proud of its efforts for the year.

The plans for the new clubrooms were put to the members during this year.  There was now a tangible committment and fundraising was starting to gear up.  Mike Plumbridge was elected again to the presidency and continued pushing forward in his quietly eloquent and diplomatic style.  He also continued to bring smiles to the faces of all Harlequins with his “follow” calls after any of our team had kicked the ball forward.

The juniors made “major” changes to their administration with Mike Dundee taking over the Teasurer’s role from Roy Capener, who continued as Secretary. The more things change the more they remain the same!

The V.R.U. changed competition format for the year, introducing a Premier division and a First Division.  The third and fourth teams now separated from the first and second teams and were here there and everywhere. This, in effect, split the club in half, an extremely unsatisfactory arrangement. 

The Premier Division had 12 clubs each with two teams.  There were initial games between all clubs, after which there was a split and the top six and the bottom six played each other twice leading into separate finals.  Such was the confusion within Victorian rugby, although if truth be told, it has always been so.

Our first team in Premier First Grade started with three fine wins beating the reigning Premiers, Moorabbin 16 points to 9.  Allan Low was again at the helm, and in Reg Hennessey the club had found an old fashion New Zealand loose forward to lead the team. That he could tidy up much more than the dropped ball behind the centres was a huge plus for us.  The sight of Reg and ex-Ponsonby hooker Mike Schrafft in the rucks and mauls brought inquiries from the Genghis Khan recruiting agency.  Things were looking good, if not always pretty.  The occasional lapse and a shock loss to Brighton, in the top division, shaped the season.  The team ended up fourth at the end of the home and away games.  In a spiteful encounter with Powerhouse in the first semi-final we went down 8 points to 16, and the season was over.  It was very disappointing, as the side could have beaten any team in the state on its day.

Thank goodness again for the seconds.  Keith Jones with his manager David Learmonth and occasional assistance from David Bray steered his team to a premiership.  With only two losses and one draw they were in the box seat.  They had to play Moorabbin three times in a row to win the Premiership.  Each time it was a very healthy win.  49 players took the field that season and, with the thirds playing elsewhere, there were often no reserves.  All in all, it was a fantastic effort and one co-captains Stuart Davis and Rob Blackwell should be very proud of.

The traditional third team of the club was ostentatiously titled the First Division, First Grade.  According to Jim (still off-side) Blackie, who was elected in absentia to the manager’s position, their saving grace was the acquisition of an appreciation for Glayva. That most Scottish of liqueur warmed many a heart on the return from  distant grounds forced upon them.  They earned more frequent flier points than a Qantas captain and used about 60 players to complete the season.  They lost more than they won and finished up in seventh position.

A fourth team was fielded. These fine gentlemen followed third team to the four corners of the state.  Three glorious wins, many unfair and luckless losses and two draws did no justice to the great spirit displayed by the 52 who can claim they played.

The draw that did much to disrupt the stronger clubs was thankfully not adopted as a permanent feature.

 The colts ran in the minor and major premierships in grand style.  This was their fourth year in a row as Premiers and there was no sign of a let up.  Bruce Norton and Roy Capener had by now developed into a formidable management combination.  Only two losses, one being a forfeit due to lack of players, and the team scored 94 tries conceding only 11.  They played exciting rugby and were to supply 9 players to the following year’s senior ranks.  Their tally was 591 points for with 147 against.  Post-grand final celebrations were not in the least bit subdued.

The Veterans, as was their want, continued in splendid indifference to the glory and/or turmoil happening elsewhere in the club.  The appointed manager or, “Coryphee” as they liked to call him, Conway Taylor, delegated the mundane issues such as running the team to Bruce Townsend.  As for the rugby, folklore has enshrined Ray Baty’s brilliant 80 metre try complete with spectacular dive as it had the efforts of captain Tony Drake and his vice, Keith Christenson.  Other prominent contributors were Andy Corp, Jeff Lurie, Mike Sizer, Ian (I’ve lost my teeth) Lochrie and Richard D’Acre to name but a few.  As was the custom, no records were kept of the fixtures as this would seriously affected future accounts of the season’s achievements.

The juniors continued to prosper and provide for the club’s future.  The efforts of Richard D’Acre, Roy Capener, Mike Dundee as well as Jim and Jenny Crighton saw an enthusiasm amongst the coaches that translated into  successes on the field.  Two Premierships, one runner’s up and a seven-a-side trophy adorned the cabinet.  Twenty-seven of the boys represented Victoria and the future of the club was in good hands.  There were no Under 18’s competition that year but our Under 16 team under Ron Kelsal took out the flag.  The Under 14 team also ran in winners at the end of the year with Chris Bennett and Scott Loughton coaching.  These two had the pleasure of coaching two future internationals in Nigel D’Acre (a Hong Kong representative at seven-a-side) and Marc L’Huillier who played for the USA (his place of birth) in the 1999 Rugby World Cup.

Socially, Rob Charters and his band produced some very memorable events.  The Annual Dinner was a proud affair. Our own Wallaby David Shepherd was the guest speaker and the club’s first 100 senior games blazer was presented to Huck Smith.  This award, a brainchild of Stan Gyles, proved to be very popular over the years and was appreciated as just recognition to many for their service to the club.  Because accurate counting started only in 1980 there were a few disappointments amongst older players. This was a sad but unavoidable consequence that was, in part, addressed in later years when Peter Bolton and Alan Campbell were awarded their blazers retrospectively.

The cricket continued through the summer. Doug Shadbolt and Gerry Consedine, very much part of the furniture, managed our flannelled fellows with Fawkner Park still the venue for pleasant Sunday afternoons.

The touch teams performed very well and, in reflection of their success, Seti Valaihi (later Kita) and Colleen Loughton were selected in an Australian Invitation side after the National titles were held in Melbourne for the first time. It was a marvellous achievement considering the standard of competition from the northern states where the game was, very strong.

Quietly the year came to a close with an excitement in the air. The new clubrooms were due to be ready for us in the next year or so.  The final fund raising phase was well upon us.  Stan Shaw was exploring all avenues as our sponsorship and fundraising “guru”, and too little credit has been given to Stan for the magnificent result he achieved. The Friday Lunch Club had become bored with the magnificent view from the 42nd floor of the Rialto building and decided a move was due. The move became several and over the years they patronised Centro Café, Onions, Park, Argo, James Darling and the Society Restaurant. Not a bad list!

Michael Plumbridge was re-elected after a contentious and somewhat disruptive AGM at the Fountain Inn. There had been some misunderstanding over who exactly was standing for President.  Once sanity was re-established the meeting continued with much less drama and “Plum” started his penultimate year at the helm of the club. The Fountain Inn, better known in the past for the interest the constabulary had in its patrons, was now being run by Reg Hennessey and Rob Charters, two Harlequins of exemplary character. 

Bill Unwin was elected Secretary. Bill was a most charming and refined man, who had come to Harlequins through the club’s rowing connections – he was an excellent oarsman. A great club man, he enjoyed the Friday Lunch Club and was responsible for the later move from Dekker’s in North Melbourne to the Hero’s RSL Club in Toorak.

To quote the Clash it was “Situation Unchanged”, at the well organized and successful juniors.

Late in the lead up to the season Tom Hennessey was appointed first team coach. In Tom, Reg’s elder brother, the club acquired a very astute rugby brain and a toughness that suffered few fools. Allan Low generously volunteered to be his manager, thus ensuring continuity after coaching the previous year. Tom started to bond the players into a strong unit and concentrated on team skills and the basics that had created so many solid New Zealand players over the years.  He immediately put opposing coaches, players and supporters on notice that there were to be no backward steps and, although he damaged a toe or two within the club, there was no doubting his commitment!  It soon became a highlight at first team matches to hear the unambiguous “one line put-downs” that sprang from the coach’s mouth directed towards unwitting opposition teams.

It was a roller coaster season with 14 wins, 2 draws and 7 losses that placed the team second at the end of the home and away season.  We started the major semi-final well and were on top of Moorabbin until our hooker and later another player sent off for indiscretions  that reduced us to 13 players. A loss of only 10 points to 22 at the end of the day said much for the spirit displayed by the remaining players. That game effectively broke our season and the following week we capitulated to Power House in a spiteful affair, losing 12 points to 38.  Highlights that season included some superbly penetrating runs by Number 8, Russell Corban (6 tries), the tackling and scavenging of Paul McCarthy at open side flanker and the kicking of Ken Smart who amassed 134 points including 7 tries.

During the finals we hosted of Bordeaux University Old Boys touring side and played them as a curtain raiser to the minor semi-final as we had a bye.  The game started under brilliant sunshine with the tourists immediately putting the dampeners on us with a magnificent display of Gallic back play that resulted in a try almost from the kick-off.  The game then proceeded to seesaw with the visitors holding the lead towards the end.  Into injury time a penalty in front of our posts some 40 meters out was placed for a kick at goal.  It missed and the ever-wily Seti Keta (having changed his name from Vailahi) shammed the pressing of the ball and set off for the “drop out”.  The referee,  aware of all this as he ran past the 22 metre line, allowed play to continue with Seti making it to within 15 meters of the French line before he was dragged down from behind.  He heard Huck Smith’s call to his left and popped the ball up for Huck to score under the posts. The conversion sailed through.  The full time whistle did little to humour the visitors.  It had been a very willing game and a “discussion” between our prop Dale Wellings and the opposition front row nearly developed into an international incident.  Afterwards, at the Fountain Inn, as we entertained the now slightly happier Frenchmen they demonstrated their true feelings towards their coach.  It took the form of a bar-diving display conducted sans-catchers when the coach took his turn.  Luckily, he escaped with only superficial injuries and did not require hospitalisation.

The second team followed the fortunes of the seniors and were bundled out of the finals with a narrow loss in the major semi-final and then another in the preliminary final.  Seti scored 21 tries that season (and paid his subs!) and Jeff Smith equalled his senior counterpart’s 134 points, including 8 tries.

The third team finished with the Minor Premiership flag and then went down to a very committed Bendigo side in the grand final 6 points to 12.  Former Harlequin (if there is such a person) Bill Coulter played in the front row for the country team and he is yet to be forgiven for that.  Full marks to the third team’s efforts. True to the Harlequin ethos that has welcomed players from all parts our first member of Vietnamese origin pulled on the boots for us.  Yoshi Sano made up for his lack of size with enthusiasm and spirit. Playing in various positions he scored his only try that year and not surprisingly Yoshi’s customary smile after the game was much broader than usual.

The colts, after four seasons on top of the ladder found the going much harder. An influx of new players followed loss of some experience to the senior ranks and they, not surprisingly, were unable dominate as in the previous four seasons.  There was a heavy commitment to the state side and some tough games, at times they struggled and were well beaten on several occasions. In the sudden death first semi-final they swept aside Box Hill 23 points to 3 and then came up against University who had beaten them three times.  They ran the students off their feet and were looking for five in a row when they met Moorabbin in the grand final. In a  pressure game they let their opposition slip away and finished losing 12 points to 19.

That season the seniors players provided Reg Hennessey (Captain), Neil Carter, Keiran O’Neill, Mark Sawyer and Ray Thomas to the State side.  In the Colts Dave Falloon (Captain), Phil Brooker, Alan Fraser, Bob Pollock, Neil Schiller, Mike Stephens and Tony Tong were selected for the Victoria and Stan Shaw coached the side.

The juniors struggled with numbers but their excellent spirited play They made up for that with some excellent spirited play paid off with state selection at all age groups.  In the Under 12’s Aaron Hammond, Andrew Kinghorn and Tom L’huillier; the Under 14’s Steve Jerome; Under 16’s Michael Catelli, Marc L’Huillier, Tanblyn Lord, George Pringle and David Trafford; Under 18’s, who played in the schools competition, Dirk David, Darren Jerome, Phil Kelsall, James Muller, Collin Oliveri and Mark Straham were selected.  The Under 18 team was able to participate in the school’s competition thanks to the efforts of David Learmonth, a schoolmaster at Melbourne Grammar and the cooperation of the various headmasters.  This was a great help to that age group so desperately  short of numbers

Undoubtedly Darren Jerome’s selection in a National Under 17 team against the touring New Zealanders was the highlight amongst our achievements. Darren followed up with an Australian “B” selection along with Phil Brooker. For both of those young men it was a remarkable achievement in the face of stiff competition in the northern states and the historical absence of Victorians in national sides.

The cricketers had the usual eventful summer with “co-perpetrators” Doug Shadbolt, Gerry Consedine and Michael Plumbridge organising the team and entertaining the sometimes highly vocal crowds on the boundary at Fawkner Park.  Alan Campbell would fire down his Rhodesian born missiles with John Stephens gloving them stylishly, untouched by willow.  A fine display from two back rowers playing the sport of “mad dogs and Englishmen”.

Touch went from strength to strength with a three teams finishing on top of their respective divisions.  Scott Loughton, Doug Seeto, Anthony Heilsher and Seti Keta were all selected for the men’s Australian Invitation team with Sue Chapman, Denise Hibbett, Jane Stewart and Colleen Loughton in the ladies’ team.  Fiona Loughton and Janine McConchie were selected in the Mixed team and  ex-Harlequin Mike Casey selected for the over 30’s Australian Team.  Heady days indeed.

At the AGM, once again at the Fountain Inn, Bill Unwin stepped down as Hon. Secretary, and the position was taken up by Tony James.  Tony, a life member and former president, was again to labour unstintingly for the club,  His sharp and eloquent wit kept entertained and some insulted during the following few years.  Mike Dundee, after having taken over from Brian MacDonald in 1983, stood down as Treasurer having performed an often thankless task with great skill and an  appropriate measure of humour.

The Nick Driver Award for the Harlequin of the Year went for the first time to a married couple, Jim and Jenny Crighton, who had served tirelessly in the juniors for many years. Both continued for many more years to the great benefit of our young players.

The Ken Austin Award for the most promising young player went to Phil Brooker and a very astute choice it was.  Phil, during a sojourn at Auckland University for a year or two understudied Grant Fox, the famous All Black goal kicker.  Phil still insists that he, in fact, taught Grant the finer points of the kicking game.

On 14 November that year building started on the new clubrooms.  It was as if a child had been born to a previously barren couple.  The pride of all involved was palpable.  But as in with all children the birth part was really the easiest.  The challenge was now in the growing and nurturing and bringing to maturity in a demanding world.  The fund raising had reached a lean patch and we still didn’t have all the money for the “school fees”.

During that summer break there was no rest for the workers in the club. In order to save on the project the club undertook to build the retaining wall around the excavation at the site.  This at first appeared a simple task.  We were wrong.  The “Wellings/Grieve Retaining Wall Construction Company” pressed any member within reach into their “Sunday School” activities. This, rightfully, took on almost “religious” overtones when bread was broken after their labours and the “odd beer” was had.  The “West Coasters” ,some of our New Zealand cousins, early on Sunday morning up to their armpits, scooping the muddy rainwater out of the post-holes dug the week before, was unforgettable.

For a dream that started back in December 1983 the 1987 Annual Dinner was particularly sweet.  Committee members Stan Gyles, Mark Allen, Dick Carter, Richard D’Acre, Mike Dundee and, for that last year Graeme Rennie, savoured the ambience, assured of a job well done.  Ray White, our long-suffering architect was, however, questioned at various times during that evening about the powder pink window frames.   He assured all comers that it was the in colour in the best rugby clubrooms throughout Europe that year.

This was to be Michael Plumbridge’s last year as President.  He had presided over a period of rapid evolution and steered the club very wisely past many pitfalls.  He had displayed his inherent patience and wisdom on many occasions when lesser men would have reacted hastily and suffered badly.  A witty and very polite gentleman, always good to be in the company of, he had brought the club into the new rooms and now it was time for a rest.  Although occasionally described as a tailor’s nightmare he showed himself during his presidency as a “class act”.

Paula Dolan infiltrated the juniors to start the Dolan family’s long association of with the Harlequins. Son Phil was an outstanding junior, colt and senior player.

For the first team the season started with a weekend camp at Nagambie north of Melbourne where a great deal of “bonding” was experienced.  The small town, better known for its rowing course, was unexpectedly acquainted with rugby players, many of whom had scant respect for the locally grown brand of football.  The Saturday night’s activities in the local watering hole were quite different, and diplomacy took a back seat.  Later at the team’s accommodation fatigue and emotion combined to create some memorable moments.  Luckily all members returned to Melbourne relatively unscathed and without any bail bonds.

When the season started in earnest there were some very pleasant surprises at training.  Sean Birchley, a centre in the classic style arrived. His tackling combined with the bursting runs of John Janman were pretty to watch.  With Richard Creighton, newly out of colts, standing off the forwards, a fit Neil Schiller ran in 17 tries during the season.  Phil Brooker also had an excellent year amassing 188 points, mostly off the boot.  Reg Hennessey, restricted to seven games for the season, and Paul McCarthy only three denuded the back row. Russell Corban once again rose to the challenge and ran in seven tries.  Up front Dale Wellings continued to be solid at prop with a very capable partner in John Kirkwood, a New Zealander in the old style.  To complement them there was a choice of two excellent hookers, the perennial, never say die, Neil Carter and the diminutive Willie Nicholls.  Willie, a most tenacious and exciting player of great skill, unfortunately was sadly struck down with Motor Neuron Syndrome in 2002.

It was a frustrating year for the first team. They finished fourth on the ladder and lost in the first semi-final to Box Hill.  Probably the season’s highlight was a fine home game against Kiwi/Hawthorn that we won 10 points to 3.  This followed an early away loss to them 6 points to 21.  Both clubs developed a solid respect and keen rivalry over the years, resulting in a hard fought match in mid-July. The weather was magnificent, for what became our last “Glen Iris Shed” style post match get-together. The visitors to their credit, having lost the third team game 32 points to nil, and only narrowly winning the second team game 10 points to 9, stayed on to share the occasion with us. It was just like old times with everyone standing outside the old changing rooms down from where the construction of the new clubhouse was nearing completion. It would always hold a place in our memories. Who better to share it with than our Kiwi friends.

State players for the year were Phil Brooker, Neil Schiller, Keiran O’Neill, Mark Sawyer and Neil Carter.

The second team was more successful finishing second on the ladder.  They made it to the grand final only to lose to a fine Moorabbin side 17 points to 27. First team demands forced Alan Campbell to use nearly 60 players so there was an absence of continuity.  The third team, well led by Simon Creighton, followed the first’s fate and fell to Power House in the first semi-final.  Colts too had a rare finish out of the top four and had.

The clubrooms, opened on 28 August just before the finals series, may have distracted all the teams from the job at hand. With no evidence to the contrary forthcoming that excuse is committed to history.

The veteran or social grade players entertained themselves with an abundance of players of a wide range of ages.  The father/son combination of Roy and Paul Capener took the field to join the likes of Mike (part of the furniture) Sizer who was celebrating 60 years of youth.  Half-back Dick May’s frequent trips overseas left the door open for usurpers such as Steve Madden, Gerry Consedine and Fraser Mallon. Conway Taylor brought his mother over from New Zealand to watch him play on his 40th birthday. Such excitement almost took the heat off Lochrie.  Ian, being a true Scot when it came to parting with the folding stuff, found himself on several occasions unlucky enough to have ball in hand and in front an open try line.  The traditional “shout” at the bar by try scorers came around all too often for a man of his heritage.

The junior section, although still strong, only managed one trophy for the year.  The Under 16’s had a great support crew with Mike Hammond coaching and Graham Jerome, Barry Anderson, Jim Crighton and John Grills managing. They were hard to beat and won the premiership. They set a new standard in organisation and commitment at a junior level.  Mike Hammond, having played very good rugby in Wellington before coming to the “mainland”, was soon to carry his talent through to senior coaching.  Open, running rugby was what he wanted to see and his charges came through. Under 16’s games drew good support crowds and many weekends they were the most watched match.

The rest of the junior club suffered a lack of numbers but that did not stop a memorably tour to Adelaide for the Griff Hunt Trophy where the veterans accompanied them to play Port Adelaide.  This was probably the start of a close association between the extremes age groups in the club.

In his annual report Richard D’Acre congratulated all the young players who represented the state during the season.  He also commented that he would like to see a Wallaby come from out of the club.  Little did he know then that Andrew Heath, a junior of that era would later join Easts in Sydney and play prop for Australia.

The Touch players continued to perform at an excellent level. Although their season “only” returned a single premiership (Men’s A Division) they were always the team to beat.  In the women’s team Colleen Loughton was selected to represent Australia touring USA and Canada, a fantastic achievement for a great player.

Roy Capener received the Nick Driver Award for the Harlequin of the Year, and Gavin Osborn received the Ken Austin Memorial Trophy for the most promising young player,

The tear was tinged with sadness witj the passing of two members, one of them far too young.  Hayden Newton-Brown, a colt who had played under 19’s for the state died in a road accident.  As well E.R. (Dick) Shepheard passed away after a long illness.  Dick had been a member for over 30 years and played in the 1985 London Golden Oldies tournament.

For the first time we held theAnnual General Meeting in the new clubrooms.  We were now the Harlequin Club Inc. and we needed a new President and a new look management.  Mike Plumbridge’s wise words are still remembered – “We have achieved the easy part.  The clubrooms are built, now we have to run them.”  This was to prove  prophetic as well attested to by hard working committees for years to come.

There had been a fair amount of lobbying for positions, such was the attraction of having our own home.  It was healthy and brought the very best out of the members who all had the club’s best interests at heart.

Charlie Grieve in his maiden year as President  was  encouragied greatly by four priceless lieutenants in, Jim Blackie as club captain, Tony James as Hon. Secretary, Graeme Rennie as Treasurer and John Sturrock as Chairman of Premises.

There was, however, another moment of real sadness before the start of the 1988 season with the passing of, founding and Life Member,  Sir Charles Moses.  At the age of 88 there was little that Sir Charles had not achieved.  A former General Manager of the ABC, he had graduated from Sandhurst in 1918 and had served in Europe and Ireland.  He had represented his regiment in seven sports including rugby and soccer and was boxing and shot-put champion of the Irish Command.  He played rugby in Victoria alongside the likes of Weary Dunlop and he had served the club well.  He was widely admired and kept his links with Harlequins to the end.

Stan Shaw, a player with vast experience (rugby league in England and 1962 Harlequins premiership winner and first team coach during the sixties) and a cunning old fox returned to coach the first team. He developed a platform for the team’s most successful period for in the club’s history. A continuing supply of quality players from the juniors and the recruitment of proven performers from overseas and interstate provided a feast of exciting rugby to watch.  A special mention must be made of the arrival of Osea Koliloa, an outstanding back-row forward and Fijian representative, who was to later bring into the club his brother Manu Valentini.  Osea and Manu were to become great servants of the club. Their mauling and tackling prowess was legendary and both these men played over 100 first grade games, as well as many more in the lower grades. Both were great servants of the club. In 1988, for the record we were:

• Club Champions

• First team grand finalists

• Second team Minor Premiers

• Third team Grand Finalists

• Colts Premiers

• HMAS Cerberus Cup Winners and

• A.C.T. seven-a-side winners
  

Not a bad  collection but the jewel in the crown still evaded us. Inconsistency and lack of discipline cost us the grand final. The Moorabbin machine had once again won the major and minor premierships. We won 17 drew 2 and lost just 2 for the year.  We found ourselves in the “almost there again” position but this time this was to prove the catalyst in the formula.  Stan summed up the season with an emotional plea to the players to stop being so easy on themselves and to convert the maybes into certainties.  Although the Latin may have been lost on some his quote of “ Vincit qui si vincit” (He triumphs who triumphs over himself) in first team final report would have made many think long and hard.  It was frustrating to see such talent not fulfilling its potential but it was hardly a new experience for the club.

The second team, again under Alan Campbell, brought home the inaugural Malcolm McDonald Shield for the Second Grade Minor Premiership. Our brother Sylvest”, as Malcolm was known, would have raised the roof at the end of the season to celebrate that.  They didn’t make the grand final, losing in the second semi-final and again in the preliminary final-frustration again!

The third team, under debutant coach Chris Bennett, struggled with the many demands of the higher grades with their players were “stolen” on Thursday nights. Chris lifted them into second spot at the end of the home and away games but they too imploded during the finals. A special mention must be made of the band of “West Coasters” including John Costello, Mart Mercer and Garth McEnaney who held the side together with quality entertaining football. Charlie Grieve was foolish enough to promise one of them, as he ran on the field at the University ground, a “six pack” if he scored a try.  Just over sixty seconds later Costello gave him the “thumbs-up” after putting down the first of many tries that afternoon.   Charlie, a Scot, is still grateful he didn’t promise six-packs to the rest of them.

The Colts, with Gerry Consedine in charge, showed the rugby flair we have come to expect.  A tireless captain in Jeremy Haw and a goal kicker in Alan Morton, cool enough to kick the three penalties that ensured they won the Grand Final, by one point no less, made for a very satisfying season.  This team was the saving grace that year and probably the spur that made the following season so successful. Gerry’s influence and the type of rugby that he, and the Mike Hammond/Graham Jerome combination (Under 17’s), demanded of their players impacted positively on the club’s rugby style.

The veterans had an unprecedented start to the season with five straight wins before the first snowfall lured some to the mountains and others to the warmth of Queensland.  Their season then meandered through success and failure, mainly due to the requirement that players remained on thr field without replacements for entire games. At the Bi-Centennial Rugby Festival at Moorabbin, Mike Sizer’s “Ebb-tiders” ran out winners in the curtain-raiser. The annual Port Adelaide game was also a success.  Socially there were few failures that year and preparations for a trip to Toronto, Canada the next year were also in train.

Probably the highlight of the rugby year in terms of memories was the end of season trip to Canberra.  The club has a fine seven-a-side tradition having first won the ACT Sevens in 1971.  The 1988 sortie to the capitol was arguably their greatest success. An early morning arrival and a night on the town was hardly a formula for success but we were to learn about the stamina of this lot.  Because recovery time was needed early in the day we shuffled the members of the “A” and “B” teams.  This worked in our advantage, allowing the “B” team to blaze the trail though some of the well-fancied opposition.

“Harlequins B” faced the previous year’s runners up, Darmalan, who had beaten Eastwood to get there,  were 10 points to nil up at half-time.It looked grim until our sevens specialist Osea Koliloa burst through several tacklers to score three minutes into the second half.  A penalty try awarded after Phil Brooker was held back, levelled the scores. The stage was set for a great final few minutes. A penalty at a kickable distance was awarded to Darmalan and we held our breath.  The kick went wide, but not too wide to stop  Sete Kita from gathering the ball, breaking up-field and kicking ahead.  Our pocket battleship, hooker Willy Nichols chased, snatched a favourable bounce and sprinted the last 30 meters to clinch the trophy.  Hangovers were forgotten. We had scraped into the final on count-back after a drawn semi-final so the partying was on in earnest.  The local press praised the visitors saying it was some of the best seven’s rugby seen there for many years.  They were correct of course, at least since our last visit.

That year the touring All Blacks played Victoria and the Harlequins players selected were Dale Wellings, Sean Birchley, Phil Brooker Neil Carter who captained the side. The game was played under lights at Olympic Park and the Blacks took no  prisoners.  The score ballooned out to 84 points to 8 and there were some sore blue jerseys after that night.

The juniors’ season was mixed. They fielded five teams from Under 9’s to Under 17’s.  About 60 young players turned up every Saturday at Glen Waverley North Reserve and, at times, we combined with other clubs to field a team.  This was a very enjoyable sight for the parents and although the concept was not grasped as readily by all clubs, it was in the very best  tradition of rugby and gave the youngsters a game for the day.

Port Adelaide visited and “robbed” us of the Griff Hunt Shield with a 2-3 game aggregate.  Not to be outdone we “defeated” them with a mammoth hangi put down by Nick Huria and Rob Penerata at the social gathering afterwards.  The juniors continued to grow in stature, but the work levels were also growing for the hard working parents under the stewardship of Richard D’Acre.  To their credit, what we now see on Wednesday evenings at Ashwood is testament to their efforts.

On the awards side, a future Wallaby prop, Andrew Heath received the Ken Austin Memorial Trophy for the most promising young player.  The panel certainly got it right that year, as Andrew was also to represent NSW and Queensland during a career that includes seven Tests for Australia.

Chris Bennett received the Nick Driver, Harlequin of the Year, Award for his tireless work around the club.  Chris, through his landscaping business, had made the surroundings of the new rooms look a treat, and he still had the energy to keep the third team positive throughout the season.

Membership was steadily increasing with 230 paid-up names on the list.  This was up from 171 the year before and 155 in 1986.  A strict no-pay-no-play policy convinced even the most recalcitrant non-payers to come up with the cash.  The (usually) good-humoured approach the Hon. Secretary, Tony James, to anyone within earshot when subscriptions were on the collect worked well.

On the down side Allan Low wrote an open letter to the club at the end of the season berating members for the abhorrent lack of respect many had for the new premises.  Allan highlighted the filthy habit of grinding out cigarettes on the carpet and of leaving rubbish about the place when leaving to go home.  It appeared that the persons he had in mind were often those who had been most prominent in their absence during the fundraising and building phases.

The year ended with a slightly earlier AGM (2nd December) and a request by the Hon. Secretary for members to; “attend the meeting in a sober condition.  That will facilitate sensible debate and hopefully ensure an early finish”.  It obviously worked because the AGM and associated business was completed in near record time and the club looked forward to 1989 with great hopes.

Even though this was to be a year of considerable achievement it was also a year of significant loss.  Ron Bolton, a Life Member of the Club and its meticulous historian died aged 83 in January.  Ron arrived in Victoria in 1927 already an international oarsman for Ireland.  He was an excellent rugby player, representing both the Club and the State with great distinction.  As Club President for many years and VRU Vice-President, Ron served the Victorian rugby community tirelessly. He was without doubt the most influential Harlequin in our fascinating history.

There were few changes to the management of the club over the summer and we had an exciting new coaching staff.  We were experimenting with a paid manager (two in fact) for the clubrooms and it was full steam ahead. Those perennial stirrers David Bray, Andy Corp and Stan Gyles looked at the new committee room and wondered what other uses it could be put to. The Friday Lunch Club had been operating for more than 20 years but its weekday format combined with a business climate that frowned on long lunches meant that fewer (older) members could regularly attend. David Bray suggested  Saturday lunches and they soon nutted out a concept. The club would host four catered lunches per season to precede important home games and the profits would go to a Player Benefit Fund. The player base in the club had long since ceased to be professional men with health insurance and generous sick leave from their employers. Bray, Corp and Gyles (convenor) would be trustees and, in conjunction with the Treasurer of the day, were authorised to disburse the profits at their discretion as follows:

To make a financial contribution to a player or his family when that player has sustained hardship resulting from a serious injury incurred on the field of play while representing the club in any grade, senior or junior.

There would be a regular format. Stan Gyles would host the lunch, guests would be introduced, Jim Blackie would be “fines master”, occasionally there would be a guest speaker, joke corner would encourage merriment and the lunch would end with David Bray leading the singing of the club song.

Now we had to turn a good idea into action. We did not have sufficient crockery or cutlery. David Bray heard that Noah’s Hotel, Exhibition Street had been put into receivership and was auctioning assets so off we went to buy a comprehensive selection of soup bowls, dinner plates, side plates, cups & saucers, cruets. We also needed a cook. Someone knew Jill xxxxxx, a lecturer in the catering section of nearby Holmesglen Tafe and she agreed to take it on. An institution was born and the first Saturday lunch was held on 28th July 1989 prior to the game against Moorabbin. It was a great success with good food and wine, irreverent banter, good-humoured abuse and funds being raised in a good cause. The only change in venue and format occurs when the first team is playing in a grand final. The lunch is brought forward to the Friday before and is held at the Kelvin Club in the city. There is always a notable guest speaker. So far $13,500.00 has been raised and many Harlequins have been benefited.

Harry Jerome, a new name in the executive ranks took over the Chair of juniors assisted by the usual suspects on the committee.

It should be mentioned that throughout the entire decade Colin Rowlinson, a Life Member of the Harlequins, had been the President of the Victorian Rugby Union.  Colin was to serve for 12 years in total from 1980 to 1991 and after that, as a Senior Vice-President. The ARU recognized his abilities by making him a Vice President, enabling Colin to tour France with the Wallabies. It was one of his greatest and happiest moments in Rugby. He had the helm of the V.R.U. at a difficult time and his astute stewardship facilitated a smooth transition into the modern era. Much loved in our club for his superb sense of humour, Colin has never received credit for his achievements, and he remains the Union’s longest serving President.

Equally, Keith Jones served at that time as a Senior Vice-President to the Union and his influence and sound comment went far in shaping the modern face of Victorian Rugby.  Keith continued to serve for many years and returned to that position in the new millennium.  As has so often been the case the club provided servants to the Union of the highest calibre.

As all sportspersons know, the work put in over the years from all the coaches and managers, the captains and the parents counts for nought if at the critical moment of play there is no focus.  From the moment Dirk Williams arrived at the club we knew that we would not lack focus and that we had something special.  The former Wellington representative was to prove the glue that would bring together all our fine players and change the thinking from “we wish” to “we will”.

As well as renewed focus the first team also had a new coach in another Wellington man, Mike Hammond while “new boy” Mike Bull took charge of the second team.  There was to be some exciting rugby in store.  Mike Hammond’s policy of “don’t kick the ball unless you are in the car park” brought a new order of running rugby. Under an uncompromising physical regime imposed by Williams, who led from the front, the players were starting to believe in themselves.

Unfortunately late in the first round Mike Hammond was “transported” to Hobart by his company and had to relinquish his coaching duties.  It was a severe setback although a sound foundation had been laid.  Mike Bull, who through his playing career rarely took a backward step, stepped into Hammond’s shoes, while Neil Carter took control of the second team..

The first team went on to win 18, draw 1 and lose 2.  They scored 656 points  conceded only 129 and were clearly a step above the rest as they swept into the finals in emphatic fashion.  They disposed of Kiwi-Hawthorn 15 points to 3 to meet Power House in the grand final.

Stan Gyles was delighted as this meant there could be the first premiership lunch at the Kelvin Club to crown a very successful first season of Saturday lunches. And crown it, it did. The private room was packed to capacity and the alcohol fuelled expectations for the grand final the next day sent many tired and emotional members back to their families late in the evening.

The game was as tense as one would expect with both teams (and officials) making mistakes. Firstly linesman first put up his flag and then lowered it to leave the Harlequin players mortified and the opposition 4 points to nil up.  There was another try soon after from some fine play by Power House to see them 10 points to 3 up at half time.  They were not able to score again as we clawed our way back with some fine penalties from Ken Smart (160 points for the season) and a snap drop goal from Richard (the Rat) Creighton five minutes from time.  The pressure forced a torrent of penalties on Power House and Ken kicked his former club out of the game.  For a team that won the trophy for most tries,  by a country mile, it was somewhat of an anomaly, but we accepted the Premiership  with open arms. At the final whistle finally our emotions overflowed. We felt relief and almost peace.

The celebrations were all the sweeter for the second team’s win against Moorabbin 17 points to 6.  And so they should have, with future Wallaby Andrew Heath at loose head prop.  That is not to take away from a very fine combination led by Willy Nichols, linked at half-back by John Hughes and anchored at full back by Orisi “Aussie Joe” Baravi.

We must also mention the reserves available to both the first and second teams during the finals. These were men like Phillip Brooker, Eamonn Mc Sweeney, Andrew Scott, Chris Bennett, Jethro McDonald and those two serial reserves (always good for a cameo appearance) Alan Campbell and Neil Carter.

The thirds suffered from all the demands of the senior teams and ended well down the ladder, although that didn’t stop them enjoying the moment.  They had an early end to the season, they were still the thirsty thirds.

The colts won the minor premiership but faltered at the last hurdle going down by 2 points in a hard fought battle against Power House.  Gerry Consedine and his charges did, however, continue to produce a fine standard of player that would serve the club well in the coming seasons.

For the record we were:

• Club Champions

• Seven-a-side winners and runners-up (Harlequins second Seven)

• Most tries scored trophy

• First Team

  • Premiers
  • Minor Premiers

• Second Team

  • Premiers

• Colts

  • Minor Premiers
  • Premiership runners-up
    

It was to be arguably the most successful year on the field for the club to date.

The veterans to the contrary suffered a poor year, with numbers and results, and finished well down the ladder.  The cricket team also had a quiet summer lacking the support that there of the glory days at the start of the decade and before.

All these celebrations were fantastic but the direction of the club was subtly changing. There were fewer parties at members’ homes and our social life was suffering.  Huck Sharma organised some lively functions at the clubrooms that year but our soul was possibly elsewhere.  Maybe it was the push towards professionalism in the higher levels of the game or the change in social trends. We were to end the eighties, socially at least, with an apprehension as to where it all was going to take us. We were also disappointed that the momentum that rugby gained in Victoria from the inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 was not capitalised upon by the V.R.U. or the Melbourne clubs. Although the final was played in and won by New Zealand, pool matches had been played in Melbourne and Rugby was for once, more in the news than the other oval ball game. Unfortunately we were all asleep on our watch and a great opportunity was lost.

For many of us apprehension could be damned because the Dewar Shield was in the cabinet, the singing was loud and the toast was “Gentleman, I give you the Harlequins”. We had the best rugby club facilities in Victoria.