Star Club’s Golden Jubilee

Grey River Argus, 9 August 1948, Page 6

Star Club’s Golden Jubilee

The golden jubilee celebrations of the Star Rugby Football Club, commenced on Saturday, when about 140 past and present members and supporters marched in procession from the Grey Main School to Rugby Park. Representing a cavalcade of half a century, the procession was headed by the Municipal Band. Tne Standard-bearer, Mr B. Henderson, a member of the senior team, marched at the head of the column, carrying a banner with a golden star on a black background, and the letters “Star R-.F.C.” A goal-kicking competition was held for the oldtimers, followed by a novelty match during whicn the players were forbidden to run. Yesterday many members and supporters attended a special service held at Holy Trinity Church, preacher being the Vicar, Rev K. G. Aubrey. In the afternoon a picni c excursion to Mitchells was well attended. The celebrations will continue this evening with a Grand Jubilee Ball in the Sturge Street Hall, Cobden. OLD-TIMERS AT BANQUET

The Star Club’s Jubilee Banquet, at Harker's Lounge, on Saturday evening, proved a great success, past and present members having gathered from various parts of the Dominion. Many old friendships were renewed and games replayed. Among ihose present were eight members of the first Star team — Messrs M. McPherson, T. Richardson, A. (Ngata) White, W. (Bunny) Chunn, W. (Lucky) McKechmc, B. Corcoran, and S. Parfitt. Also present was the Mayor, Mr F. r. Boustridge, Messrs S. S. Dean and A. Adams (former presidents of the N.Z.R.U. The Master of Ceremonies was the president of the Star Club. Mr W. Williams.

The following toasts were honoured:— “The King”; “N.Z. Rugby Union ; proposed by Mr T. Mclntosh, and replied to by Mr Dean; The West Coast Rugby Union (Mr A. Clarke — Mr F. W. Baillie); The Star Football Club. (the. Mayor—-Mr Williams); “Absent members (Mr W. Carse); “Sister clubs” (Mr A. White —Messrs T. Ryan, United; A. Agnew, Blaketown; B. Watkin, Cobden; A. R. Fauth, Celtic; M. Davidson, St. Mary’s, R. Stevenson, Excelsiors, and W. Mann, Inangahua Sub-Union). The Referees’ Association (Mr Pegley—Mr C. Cockburn); The "OldTimers” (Mr A. Fong—Mr C. McPherson); "The Press” Mr W. Pring —Messrs O. Morris and P. Baker). "St. John Ambulance” (Mr G. Nelson, senior—Mr J. Tunnage). Congratulations were received from the following: Mr V. Fraser (president of Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union); West Coast Rugby League; Mr M. Jamieson; Convent O.G. Basketball Club; Celtic Club; Messrs T. Kirkler, T. E. Coates, T. Learmont, Cobden club, and the president Mr F. W. Baillie. All members stood in silence in honour of a famous past player of the club, J. Steel, All Black wingthree quarter. Mr Dean, in his address, said he one idea of the N.Z.R.U. was the furtherance of the game. He thought that the code was one of the most democratic sporting bodies m the country. It always endeavoured to look after the players. "We have quite a lot of money, lent out on interest,” he said, and the N.ZR.U. would consider any legitimate request. In an effort to cement the good relations between Australia and New Zealand, the governing body was planning to send a Maori team to Australia next year. In 1950 it was hoped that an English team would visit New Zealand. He congratulated the Star club on its Golden Jubilee, and wished it every success in the future. The fiftieth anniversary was always an important event.

Mr F. W. Baillie thanked Mr Dean for his remarks. The West Coast Union would always endeavour to help the players, especially those in the lower grades. The Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge, paid a tribute to the club and congratulated the players on defeating Kiwis, after a hard struggle, in which Stars were fully extended. He wished the club many more years of good fortune and sportsmanship. Mr W. Williams thanked the Mayor and extended a special greeting to Mr A. Adams, who was able to be present.

Mr W. Carse, referring to the early days, said he had played against Stars at Dobson, ana it would be 50 years ago this season that he met the original members. He was delighted to know that there were eight of these members present. When the Black Diamond club was disbanded in 1908, he had then played for Stars, until 1909. He had found them fine sports and good players and congratulated the present team on the leading position it now held in the senior competition. “The future of the club is in splendid hands,” he said Mr Adams said that he was very pleased to see the progress that had been made l-v the club and extended his best wishes for Ihe future. Mr J. Pegley (fielcHcantain of the senior team) thanked Mr A. Fong for his services this season, statin" he was the best supnorter Star clu b had had this year. He congratulated the referees on their high standard, and Mr Fong briefly replied. Mr C. McPherson, recalling old times, stated Dobson and Star clubs would challenge one another in the local papers. Mr A. White spoke of the enthusiasm of spectators in the early cays and how they used to call out to any unfortunate player who happened to be on the ground, even going as far as to belabour a nlayer or the referee with an umbrella. At one game in Dobson the playing field had clumps of bullrushes on it and the scrum would get down and hang on and nothing on earth would shift them. Other speakers were Messrs T. Oxenham, J. Parfitt and C. Richardson as well as other old timers already mentioned.

Mr R. Hands, who left Greymouth in 1912, brought with him. from Westncrt. the best wishes of White Star Club.

Mr W. Williams presented several silver cups to the winners of th? Old Timers’ goal kicking chamnionshins held that afternoon at. Rugbv Park as follows.—Before 1925: W. Parfitt; after 1925 L. Dittman. The chib’s j ledge to Rugby was read by Mr A. Blackie.

The'evening concluded with the singing of “Auld Lane Syne,” and “For Old Times’ Sake.”