Written by John Stewart

While helping Libby Donelan with adding comment to her research from the Daily Advertiser over the period 1961 to 1969 she asked me to write a pen picture of those days.

I graduated at the end of 1961 from Wagga Ag College and followed tradition in the footsteps of former Aggies before me and joined the Waratahs. Depending on who was about on a Saturday, we would go and have a full meal – usually of steak and chips – no pasta in those days. Gradually we would assemble at Romano’s to have a roll call and pick a team. We would then go to the cricket ground and pick up a couple of latecomers by about 2:30.

We changed in the cold grandstand with even colder “hot” water before going outside to run up and down the car park about four runs up and down the car park, passing the ball. If we only had one ball the backs claimed it. If there were two balls the forwards were allowed to have one! Then it was back inside to finalise the team and Jim Lenehan would lead us out.

Because the grandstand only had cold water, we would go to Romano’s, the Victoria or the Advance for a shower. Often dressing in coat and tie again, we went downstairs to start the weekly get together. My father would give me £2 to go out with. This would buy the Saturday midday meal and allow me to drink 7oz glasses priced at 8 or 9 pence each. I could drink until the pub closed at 10 o’clock and still have money left over.

Some would then go out to Jock’s Roadhouse for a late supper. I can remember great nights out with our players. Sometimes Wal Blake, President of Riverina Rugby, would join us and have a few whiskeys with our President, Dud Taylor, and Norm Bassingthwaighte, Phil’s father. 

People have asked me why Waratahs were so successful over a period of time. I think it was mainly because a culture developed. This was due to a group of individuals who either learnt their football away at school or at the Ag Colleges, Wagga and Hawkesbury. This stood them in good stead as every player knew his position and could carry out his job to the best of his ability. Some had more ability than others, e.g. Jim Lenehan, Beres Ellwood and Bob Conolly. But as in all things it is teamwork that wins.

In those days it was impossible to train together due to the distances involved in travel, but all the team worked either in or at farming pursuits and this kept them reasonably fit. Also it was an amateur game and probably not as fast in the forwards as the modern game. I can only remember two training runs in eight years and they both ended up back in the pub to pick the team before a grand final. And so these factors may never occur again.

One might ask what the teams Tahs played against were like. Well, City was always strong and competitive with players such as John Dinnell, John Brunskill, Ken and Basil McMullen, Tony Carlisle, Paul Galloway, Wales and Brian Roberts. West Wyalong had the Cooper brothers, lan Low and Tony Gelling, a future Wallaby. Griffith had players such as Peter O’Halloran, Paul’s twin who played with Waratahs, and Ross Cullen. Both Teachers and Ag College were very strong and had many good reserves to run on. Young was always competitive at home and contained John Snelling and Frank Lincoln. Yanco had Derek Rogers, a great all-round cricketer and footballer, who would later play with City and strengthen them. Temora had Allan Hayes. Cootamundra were torrid opponents with the Bassingthwaighte brothers, Tate Heggaton, Jim Graham and Peter Bunting. Last but not least, Army who were well led by John Sullivan who put us out in the semis in 1963 and defeated us in the 1968 grand final. Army had many fine players such as Swinton Negline, Sullivan, Dau, Laverty and Jack Ryan who, with the rest of their fit players, proved to be the Tah only nemesis in the Riverina competition.

So what strengths did Tahs have? In my opinion they had every reason to be proud of their players. Those who come to mind are: John Walker who would be the strongest prop I have ever seen, never beaten and, together with his brother, Luxton, formed an unbeatable combination in strength and technique. Together with Ben Purcell who was a very quick striker and front of the lineout specialist, they would win 75% of all scrums. 

Second rowers of note were lineout specialists Dave Heckendorf and John O’Brien who always won an excess of lineouts. 

Mick Millard could cover all positions in the back five. Mick always gave 110% all the time, a tactician, protector, goal kicker, clubman, indeed the glue that held forward packs together for over 10 years and played a record number of games.

Phil Bassingthwaighte, John Kendall and, later, Rick Martin would hold the No 8 position. Phil, hardworking, big and strong, was a standout in the early years for Tahs.

Probable the two best breakaways were David Dosser and Roger Griffiths. Both were rugged and very experienced and won many games between them. David Dosser could also do an equally good job as social organiser at Guzzle Gully at Gumly Gumly.

Many players filled in as halfback over time but the first name which comes to mind is Tate Heggaton, a foundation members who gave direct service to his backs. Others who played equally well were Fred Horsley, Mike Fitzgerald and Beres Ellwood. 

Bob Stewart was a great five eight. He had excellent hands, good kick and was a good defender. He was durable and played for many matches, giving excellent service to his centres due to his excellent ball handling skills.

Much has been written about Beres Ellwood, who played many test matches and was twice chosen in the world team. But what I remember most was that he put others through gaps and backed up again. He was hardly ever off his feet, was quick through gaps and was a good goal kicker. Beres was also a first class cricketer who scored double centuries – a gifted and unassuming sportsman.

Other centres to play were Col Wood, a straight runner and probably our best defender. Similarly Lynton Gooden and Rex Burne. Rex could play in the forwards and backs equally well.

Rob Ellerman scored many tries. Big and strong he liked to do the “in, out and away” which served him well. 

Then there was Bill Heffernan, State high jump champion, who could also run. He scored many tries by kick and chase and following through, and was the fastest in the team.

Other excellent finishers were Roger Ward and David Meldrum.

At fullback was Bob Conolly who represented and captained a tour to New Zealand. Team mates say that “the bigger the game the better he played”. Bob was also an excellent cricketer who could have probably gone further had he chosen that path.

Much has been written about Jim Lenehan. He could play in the centres, wing and fullback and indeed did at the highest level. Jim was not only a footballer but was a school record holder in athletics whose record stood a long time in the G.P.S. A great all round sportsman, he also played representative cricket. He was a great captain for our club over the years and an excellent clubman. We all enjoyed playing beside him and 1 admired the way he could punt the ball huge distances and drop kick goals from 50 yards. But what I admired most was his speed off the mark and his devastating tackling, often taking an opponent out over the sideline by a couple of yards.

These are a few of my thoughts and memories of 50 years ago. It was great to belong to such a great club and to have enjoyed the company and made many friends during the 60s. It certainly is a period in my life I will never forget and will treasure always. It is my one regret that we have not the records from the da about all the players in second grade who were a vital part of the club. Mick Millard, Mark Gooden and Corky Walker held our club in the 60s together. These were indeed truly great club men.

Source: A History of the Wagga Wagga Waratahs’ Rugby Club 1959 – 2015

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