GREAT SPORTS LUNCHEON!

Saturday, 8 August

Many thanks to all those members and supporters who attendedd our 2026 Sports Luncheon at Hamilton North Bowling Club yesterday.

It was great day with the ‘full house’ sign reflecting the attraction of Guest Speaker in former Wallabies Captain, Nick Farr-Jones.

A lot of memories, a lot of old rugby mates meeting again (some for the first time since 1967) and a great time had by all.

A special thanks goes to our sponsors in Churchills Carpet Court, Thomas Allen Wines an Tooheys. A special thanks also to our supporters of the luncheon in The Icon Depot, Hellyers Road Distillery, Rugby Australia, NSW Waratahs, Hunter Wildfires and the venue in Hamilton North Bowling Club.

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SATURDAY’S RUGBY RESULTS

Saturday, 8 August

Results of Round 15 fixtures for Hunter Rugby on Saturday are to be advised.

Men:

Women:

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Round 17 of the Shute Shield sees the Hunter Wildfires playing West Harbour.

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END OF AN ERA

Thursday, 25 June

The Waratahs Juniors are taking formal steps to wind up operations after no nominations were received to form a new committee at the 2026 Annual General Meeting on Monday (22 June).

A small gathering of officials and club members attended the meeting and were informed that no junior teams were formed by The Waratahs Juniors in 2025 nor for the 2026 rugby season.

The meeting was told that the Juniors had not been successful with initiatives and mergers and have been steering young players to the Newcastle West ‘Wildcats’. Developing a new junior rugby union club in the growing western suburbs of Newcastle such as Fletcher, Cameron Park and Minmi would provide a legacy for The Waratahs Juniors.

A subsequent Special General Meeting after the AGM to discuss the future of the Juniors decided to take formal steps to wind up operations.

The Special General Meeting voted that funds held by the Juniors be transferred to The Waratahs Old Boys’ Association to be lodged in a special ’Juniors’ account. The aim of the transfer is to allow The Waratahs club to seek, assess and potentially assist any junior rugby developments or initiatives in the Hunter Region.

The meeting agreed to continue to honour a three-year foundation sponsorship by the Juniors of the Newcastle West club which expires in 2027.

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RESULTS FROM 2026 AGMs

Monday, 9 March

The 2026 Annual General Meetings of both the Interim Seniors Committee and the Old Boys’ Association have returned largely intact their existing committees

The AGMs were held before a small crowd of members and supporters at Hamilton North Bowling Club yesterday (8 March).

The Interim Seniors Committee returned Ken Beveridge, Matt Dumbrill, John Gibson and Greg Taylor as committee members while Mark Queenan was also elected to the committee.

The Old Boys’ Association returned Paul Paisley as President, Keith Powell as Secretary, John Gibson as newly established Membership Officer, and Julie and Lindsay Dumbrill and Mark Queenan as committee members.

Ken Beveridge stepped down after 10 years as Treasurer while Gary Rawle did not see re-election as a committee member. The Old Boys’ committee will now seek a new Treasurer and three committee members.

Greg Taylor, on behalf of the Interim Seniors Committee, said the committee continued to operate in ‘caretaker’ mode as it continues to gradually wind-up the club.

He said the committee was in a strong financial position. A motion to distribute about 40% of club funds will be further investigated after suggestions from the meeting.

The Old Boys’ Association’s President’s Report and Secretary’s Report are printed on the website under ‘About Our Club/Old Boys’ Association’.

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OLD BOYS MEMBERSHIP 2026

Wednesday, 25 February

The Old Boys’ Committee has voted to maintain existing membership fees for 2026 which means the 50% reduction introduced last year will remain.

Treasurer, Ken Beveridge, said there was a positive reaction to the reduction last year and that membership numbers increased as a result of the initiative. He was hopeful that maintaining the low fee would attract more players and supporters of The Waratahs to become an Old Boys’ member in 2026.

The membership fee structure for 2026 is:

Full Membership - $50 (will include subsidy for Sports Luncheon)

Social Membership - $20 (for former players and supporters who live outside the Newcastle area and cannot attend most functions and activities)

Membership for 2026 is now open and payment can be made via the Greater Bank – BSB637000 A/c 715493713 – marking your payment ‘Membership’ with your name.

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