Author: That's the Way It Was

PARIS  – FRANCE  – April 1931. In an office at 24 Drouot Street in the Montmarte district a group of men have gathered and are involved in passionate conversation. Its been an unusually  warm spring in France and Parisian’s are out in the cafes and bars listening to the songs of Lucienne Boyer, whilst discussing…

On April 4th 1982, a young boy attends a Rugby League match at Seiffert Oval in Queanbeyan. It’s the beginning of a journey – A journey that is on-going. It’s a journey that has produced magnificent highs and terrible lows. But, more than anything, it’s a journey that had produced ever lasting memories. Memories that…

On the 16th of September 1975, a ceremony is held in Port Moresby – Papua New Guinea. Diplomats from Australia and the United Nations have gathered to witness the birth of a new Nation. As with any new born,  Papua New Guinea has its high points and its low moments. But as the diplomats flew out…

Thin – Balding – Awkward – Ungainly. A chain smoker who would use sticky tape to put padding on his elbows and knees.These are some of the adjectives and phrases used to describe a man who will remain in the history books of Rugby League for eternity.

The South Sydney Rugby League club has had a consistent and very successful presence in the game of Rugby League since its inception in 1908. Sure, there have been some difficult periods, BUT, South Sydney faced its greatest challenge in the late 1990s, when a combination of greed, power and ambition would remove the Rabbitohs…

On May the 4th, 1920, a man arrives in Tumut, NSW to become proprietor of the Wynyard Hotel. With wife, Veronica and three young children, the family quickly becomes involved in the social and sporting life of the town. Along the way, he buys an “Old Tin Pot”. Little does he realise, that this “Old…

In 1978, Western Suburbs appoint a former school teacher to coach its 1st grade team. What follows is a period of great success for the Magpies. BUT, not everyone is happy with the new coach’s teaching methods. What follows for the game of Rugby League is a massive change in how the game is governed….