The surviving members of Mount Isa's first ever victorious Foley Shield side have come together for a weekend of celebrations in the 50th anniversary of that win.
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On Friday September 20 there was an anniversary dinner in Townsville for the 1969 winning team with a dozen of the original 18 players present as well as two widows.
Dinner co-convenor and former Foley Shield radio commentator John Moran said three others were in nursing homes and one could not make the night, which was sponsored by Queensland Country Credit Union.
"But it was a great night and we had a very good representation there with 12 of the players and their wives," Mr Moran said.
"We had a presentation of shirts which were a replica of the 1969 jerseys they wore.
"We had 30 of those handed out on the night, 18 for the team and the others for all the convenors."
The surviving players posed for a photo a day later wearing the shirts.
The photo has co-convenor John Moran standing behind the Foley Shield.
Middle row :- Bryon Woodcock, Bruno Cullen, Gavin Shepherd ,Mel Brosnan, Bill Bawden,
Front row seated :- Les Smith, Ken Muckan, Bob Wilson [Captain } Terry Hammond {vice captain} Col Wilson, Mick Bakhash.
Kev Duve attended the dinner but was unable to attend the photo.
Absent was Stan Suchowiecki while confined to nursing homes were Tiger Slater, Kev Weinart and Bruce Phillip (the latter in Bundaberg and whose whereabouts were unknown until John Moran put the call out earlier this year).
Represented by their widows at the night were Tom Tassell who died this year, and George Herwig.
Mr Moran said the following day there was another event for all players who played in the Foley Shield competition for Mount Isa between 1966 and 1993.
"We had 120 players for a big day at Brothers Rugby League club in Townsville," he said.
"I've never seen so many happy people in my life, enjoying each other's company, it was a magnificent weekend."
There was plenty to reminisce about.
The Mighty Miners of Mount Isa defeated Townsville 12-9 in that first Foley Shield win.
The win started a period of Mount Isa dominance with nine shields in the next 20 years (1969, 1972, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985 and 1988).
The full 1969 team was: Bruce Phillips (wing), Bruno Cullen (fullback), Mick Bakhash (wing), Gavin Shepherd (centre), George Herwig (centre), Bob Wilson (five-eighth, captain), Ken Mucken (halfback), Mel Brosnan (lock), Bill Bawden (second row), Bryan Woodcock (second row), Terry Hammond (front row), Les Smith (hooker), Tom Tassell (front row), Kev Weinert (reserve), Tiger Slater (reserve), Stan Suchowiecki (reserve), Col Wilson (reserve), Kev Duve (reserve).
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