That’s The Way it Was
It’s Wednesday, January 8th, 1908 in Sydney Australia. It’s a hot 81* Fahrenheit as Sydneysiders go about their general business and the world revolves around them.
In Melbourne, Victor Trumper scores 49 and 63, but Australia still loses the 2nd Test against England by 1 wicket. The famous English comedian, Edwin Boyde, prepares for his first performance at the Tivoli Theatre. The Sydney Wharf Labourers Union places a ban on all ships from the Newcastle & Hunter River Company. And, overseas, Lieutenant Ernest Shackelton leaves Wellington, New Zealand in the steamer Nimrod for a history making voyage to the South Pole.
But, another piece of history will occur that evening at the Newtown Town Hall. In a packed Town Hall that includes James J. Giltinan, Henry Hoyle and Harry Hamill, a new sporting club, the Newtown Rugby League Football Club is formed. It’s not just the beginning of a new sporting club, it’s the beginning of a new sport in Australia. It’s page 1, chapter 1 of a book that is still being written.
Welcome to , ‘ That’s The Way It Was’ , a program that looks back at the history and traditions of Rugby League.
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