Liz Cowled, Pat Walsh, Maree Allamby and Wayne Prosser.
The Riverina Schoolboys Football Carnival Committee held a dinner last weekend to celebrate the 80th carnival. Sponsors, past and present volunteers, as well as committee members enjoyed the evening.
What began as an event for six teams to enjoy playing rugby league against other schools in Junee, has grown to the carnival it is today with 152 teams nominated from around the Riverina, Canberra, Murrumbidgee and Cowra Regions.
The carnival began in 1943 by Mr A B Connelly, the Sportsmaster at Junee Public School, and Mr Dudley Locke, a Signal Electrician on the NSW Government Railways. Mr Connelly had come from Sydney and based the carnival on school suburban competitions where the schools were only a few miles apart.
Mr Connelly’sgranddaughter, Vicky Webster and her husband Garry, travelled from Wollongong along with Mr Connelly’s niece, Margot Beattie and husband Ralph from Wagga to attend the dinner.
As part of the proceedings, Don Willis and Ken Passlow, both long term volunteers of the carnival were presented with Life Membership.
Junee Bowling Club first ran the BBQ in the 1960’s, with Don who began working around 1980 with Bruce Vivian and other members of the St Joseph’s Cricket Club until 1986 when the cricket club folded.
Don and Bruce continued working the BBQ with other mates and family until two years ago when the catering at the carnival changed.
Ken’s grandfather, Carl Passlow was a member of the first carnival committee and was a Ground Manager for many years, followed by Ken’s father, Gordon who also followed this path. Ken and his late wife, Gay and Beryl Lawson took over the Hot Dog Stand, year unknown. Ken also retired two years ago.
Other Life Members at the dinner were Pat Walsh, Phil and Lola Cummins, who were all presented with their badges. Pat has travelled from Harden each year to attend meetings and then on carnival day was the main oversee rfor the referees. When he retired from CRL, this position was taken over by Tim Bailey, but Pat still attends the carnival to assist.
Phil and Lola were acknowledged for their years of service to the carnival. Phil has been on the committee since 1978 (yes, 47 years) and has spent many hours marking grounds, ordering food and drinks, selling raffle tickets and then at the end of the carnival, packing up again. Lola began selling raffle tickets in 1982 before becoming secretary from 1995 until 2015. Lola also spent many hours preparing for the carnival and could often be found after the carnival cleaning canteens, pie ovens and toilets. Between them 90 years of service to the carnival.
John Thomas, son of Frank Thomas, bought the original cow bells that were used for the commencement of play at the early carnivals. John spoke of his parent’s involvement, including the billeting of players from all over NewSouth Wales. Frank was Assistant Secretary for ten years before taking on the Secretary role for eight years.
The carnival was recognised at one time as the biggest carnival of its type in the world, the biggest entry being 248 teams when in knockout format. It was then changed to a round robin format giving teams from two to four games of football, particularly when some teams travel long distances.
Catering for the carnival is now in the hands of ground users – Junee Jaguars on Burns Park, Junee Diesels on Laurie Daley Oval with Can Assist in the BBQ, Junee Juniors on Loftus Oval with Junee Lions and Junee RSL Subbranch on the Showground.
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