Episode 10 – Rugby League’s Bonanza: The Cartwrights

Posted on by That's the Way It Was

In 1967, one of the most popular programs on Australian television was Bonanza.

It was a program that revolved around the cattle ranching Cartwright family in 1860’s Nevada.

At the same time in Australia, another Cartwright family was just getting started, out at the Penrith Panthers.

Little did we know back then, that Penrith’s Cartwright family would have as many characters and as many stories to tell as their Hollywood counterparts.

Together, they would help to build a club – bigger than the Ponderosa !!

Sam and Jim Jones with the 2006 Harold Mathews Cup
Sam and Jim Jones with the 2006 Harold Mathews Cup.
Margret and Merv Cartwright.
Margret and Merv Cartwright.
The front page of Penrith RLFC Journal 1966.
The front page of Penrith RLFC Journal 1966.
The first Penrith Leagues Club.
The first Penrith Leagues Club.
Jim Jones, Penrith 1980-1983 footy card.
Jim Jones, Penrith 1980-1983
John and son Jed Cartwright.
John Cartwright- Penrith 1985 – 1996 ; 188 games.

Son Jed made his 1st grade debut for Penrith in 2019.

Merv Cartwright Medal Winners – Penrith Player of the Year.

Acknowledgements
– Jim Jones is a former Penrith player and currently works as a recruitment manager for the Penrith Panthers. He is a life member of Penrith (Member no 74)
– The Sydney Morning Herald
– Rugby League News
– The Encyclopaedia of Rugby League Players – Whiticker/Hudson (Gary Allen 1999)
– Special thanks to Mary Cartwright for family images