British Golf Notice circa 1940

Posted on July 22, 2011July 21, 2011 by Matthew Green

With thanks to El Presidenté of the BGC.

You have to hand it to the British, when it comes to golf…and “rules”

German aircraft from Norway would fly on missions to northern England; because of the icy weather conditions, the barrels of their guns had a small dab of wax to protect them. As they crossed the coast, they would clear their guns by firing a few rounds at the golf courses. Golfers were urged to take cover.

This notice posted in war-torn Britain in 1940 for golfers with stiff upper lips.

You have to admit — these guys really had guts!

And, you thought you were a tough weather golfer.

iDad Gets Published in Bare Essentials Magazine

Posted on July 15, 2011June 27, 2019 by Matthew Green

Actually, iDad has been published a few times in Bare Essentials Magazine now, but I missed the last couple of issues due to personal reasons. When I asked the editor, Inga Yandell, if her readers missed me she said:

“Men around the world were left to their own devices with the absence of iDad the pilot for proficient parenting! I look forward to the return of iDad’s wit it makes navigating fatherhood in modern day entertaining when it could all to easily become exasperating.”

Inga then asked me to contribute to their upcoming publications. How could I refuse 🙂

The result was iDad’s Guide to Fitness and it is available to read here on my blog and inside the latest issue of Bare Essentials Magazine.

Inga’s final comment:

“Great to have iDad back, this feature is a draw for young dads, love it.”

Awww, shucks!

For the record I have caught and passed the bald blur now, but the blonde hottie still eludes me.

About Bare Essentials: Creative conservation, compels artists to become explorers on a journey to the most remote and unique regions on earth. Confronting the harsh conditions and hardships of the native people and wildlife these photographers, painters and authors inspire global respect and urgency for the preservation of natures vanishing gems. This issue is dedicated to adventurous artists, profiling explorer photographer Harry Kikstra, British painter Pollyanna Pickering and naturalist author Sy Montgomery. We also interview the man behind some of the most iconic images in film, Alex Bailey and feature a special message from legendary Bond star, Sir Roger Moore. We also interview the man behind some of the most iconic images in film, Alex Bailey and feature a special message from legendary Bond star, Sir Roger Moore.

Its the 10th Anniversary Since Souths Were Reinstated Back Into The NRL

Posted on July 6, 2011July 6, 2011 by Matthew Green

Today, 6 July 2011, marks ten years since the South Sydney Rabbitohs won reinstatement to the National Rugby League.

I remember that dark day when the Pride of the League, one of the few remaining foundation clubs, was banished for no other reason than they refused to capitulate to the arbitrary and unreasonable demands of the despots who controlled the game. Howls of protest echoed from Redfern and the surrounding suburbs as fans struggled to come to grips with the loss of their red and green heroes. Celebrities, high-profile businessmen and average joes, united in their pain and anger, flooded the mailrooms of our major newspapers and clogged the phone systems of callback radio shows.

We were not going to go quietly into the night.

Donations came in from wealthy benefactors. Lawyers agreed to work pro bono. Exhibition matches at Redfern Oval between a combined South Sydney Rabbitohs and North Sydney Bears side, and the visiting national sides of Lebanon and the USA (American Tomahawks), were staged to raise money.

Then we marched!

Some say there were over 80,000 people at Town Hall on that sunny Sunday afternoon in November. I reckon it was closer to 100,000. I was there with my son, my father and my brother-in-law plodding our way toward George Street, shoulder to shoulder with thousands of unhappy humans. An Eastern-Suburbs devotee in a brand new jersey was walking next to us. I thought he was there to gloat, so I asked him what he was doing. His reply:

“You think Roosters supporters don’t care what they did to you guys? Its a disgrace and should not be allowed to happen to ANY team.”

He was right, so I shook his hand and thanked him. We would be rivals again in a couple of years, but not today.

As the throngs assembled at Town Hall I noticed that the crowd was not just coloured cardinal and myrtle. Broncos, Bears, Bulldogs, Eels, Sea Eagles and Sharks made up some large numbers. Magpies, Tigers, Steelers and Dragons vented their anger at being forced to merge. Even the long extinct Jets were there. Whether they liked the Rabbitohs or not, Australia’s Rugby League community had come out in force to protest the injustice perpetrated upon on their game.

South’s legal team went back to court and, on the 6th of July 2001, they won the right to field a team in the 2002 competition and beyond.

We were back – finally.

It’s been a long, hard journey since reinstatement. There’s not been a lot to cheer about, but at least we have a team to cheer for.

Glory, Glory to South Sydney!

Anonymous Funeral

Posted on June 17, 2011June 16, 2011 by Matthew Green

Yesterday I went to a funeral for a woman I didn’t know. Now before you start leaping to the conclusion that I am some creepy voyeur, let me explain the connection.

This woman has a son that goes to the same school as my boys. Although I don’t know the lad myself, he is obviously a well-liked and respected teenager, a fact that was evidenced by the many teachers and students who attended his mother’s service. It was a touching sight to see a generation of stoic young men in pressed and tidy uniforms, shaking hands with and hugging their friend. Outside it was overcast and drizzling yet sunglasses were still worn as boys with extremely red eyes struggled to contain the tears.

The husband and father was someone I did know, albeit briefly, over twenty-five years ago. We were work colleagues in a small family business and poles apart in our personalities. He was a quiet, softly spoken, gentle man with a passion for acting. I was a loud, boisterous boofhead with a fondness for football and beer. We never became close friends. In fact, I don’t think he even recognised me at the funeral when I shook his hand and commiserated his loss.

So why was I there? I didn’t know the deceased. I knew of, but had never met the son. And the husband had no recollection of our relationship.

The reason I went to a funeral for a woman I did not know was because of the memory I have of a man and the intense love he had for his wife. I remember his animated exuberance on Friday afternoons as he announced his plans for the weekend to me, and everyone else in the pub. His eyes would light up at the thought of going to the cinema, seeing a play, even the mundane act of grocery shopping was a pleasure for him so long as she was there. On Monday (in fact every day) he would have a huge, goofy grin on his face, so enamoured with his other half and lost in the wonder of their weekend together. He pursued her, wore her down, married her, and loved her with every fibre of his being for the rest of her life. Theirs was a beautiful story but, as the heartbroken husband said in his eulogy, ‘all good love stories have unhappy endings.’

I felt for him as he wished her goodbye and I held back my own grief as he sobbed in my mother’s arms.

Regardless of all the wonderful memories you may have, there is still a deep and profound sadness when love dies. I know that feeling well and I just wanted to offer my condolences to an old acquaintance.