Forthcoming Events
Sydney Luncheon Table
15 August 2006 Report
e Sydney OPs met for lunch on 15 August. We are happy to welcome a new member, Bob Richards (1950 - 1957 Smith). Bob is a metallurgist who worked in the UK for the Atomic Energy Authority, followed by the Steel Company of Wales. Later he worked for Foseco in England, Sweden and Belgium. He transferred to the company's Australian branch in 1979.
Much of the time was spent discussing the football match between the visiting PGS Rugby Team and St Paul's College, Manly. Several of us were able to come to cheer the school's efforts. The first noticeable event at that match was the fact that for three of us it would have been the first time in up to 45 years we have supported an English team against an Australian one. The second was one of pleasure at the tour organisers' wisdom in arranging for our, yes our, boys to be billeted with their Australian opposite numbers instead of their being put up at an hotel. We all hope that, as a result of this move, we may see some of the boys back here in Australia either as Gap Year visitors or, preferably, to settle.
Now, about the seemingly dismal result. We may have significantly lost but the disappointment should be matched by what our boys learnt. Representative amateur sport in Australia is conducted on the basis of winning by giving the very best one is capable of doing. I am not saying that our boys did not try and admit that age/weight were not in our favour, but we noticed the intensity of effort by the St Paul's boys. Every Australian parent and child will accept a sporting loss provided it occurred in spite of one giving the game their very best. This certainly does not mean winning at all costs. Far from it; cheating in sport obliterates any satisfaction. We still have utter contempt for the "Comic Opera" tactics by the Italian players trying to manoeuvre a penalty kick in the recent soccer World Cup. Educationally speaking, we all know the importance of team sports in providing a well rounded person.
The next 4 meetings are on Tuesday 14 November 2006, 13 February, 15 May and 14 August 2007. Gap year students, backpackers, distressed gentlefolk and others who may be short of a bob in Australia should not be deterred by the thought of an unsought expense; I am sure we can work something out.
A Walker-Powell (1939 - 1950)
bandp@triode.net.au
© Copyright The Old Portmuthian Club 2010. Last updated on 26 September 2006. 
