GREAT RESPONSE!

Thursday, 21 May

The Old Boys’ Association is advising they are having a great response to news about the 2026 Sports Luncheon in August.

Club members have steadily been booking tickets since it was announced that former Wallabies captain, Nick Farr-Jones AM, will be Guest Speaker.

The club will also be acknowledging players in five Grand Final teams that will be celebrating an ‘anniversary’ year.

Details of the luncheon are:

Function: 2026 Sports Luncheon

Date: Friday, 7 August

Time: Midday until late afternoon

Venue: Hamilton North Bowling Club

Cost: $50 for Old Boys members (subsidised by the Old Boys); $100 for non-members.

Bookings: Please make payment to Old Boys Account at Greater Bank – BSB 637000 Acc 715493713 (mark payment with your name and ‘Luncheon’ – payment becomes a booking).

More details in articles below - don’t leave too late to join us on the day!

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HUNTER WIN CALDWELL CUP

Sunday, 17 May

Hunter has successfully come away from the 2026 NSW Country Rugby Union Championships in Tamworth today by winning the Caldwell Cup.

Hunter, coached by former Tahs player Jamie Lind, defeated Central West 39-17 in the final.

In the Women’s Thomson Cup, Hunter couldn’t repeat the victory in going down 17-0 in the final, also against Central West.

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LOCAL RUGBY RESULTS

Saturday, 16 May

The Hunter Men’s team will play in the final of the Caldwell Cup tomorrow after winning their two preliminary rounds in the NSW Country Championships at Tamworth today.

Hunter outgunned a President’s XV 61-7 and beat defending champions Central Coast 15-0.

Central West clashes with Hunter in the final tomorrrow.

In the Women’s Thomson Cup, Hunter are also in the final after beating Far North Coast 42-0 and Mid North Coast 17-3.

In the Shute Shield, Hunter Wildfires went down 36-10 to Eastern Suburbs at Woollahra Oval. The Wildfires are now fifth on the competition table after three wins and three losses.

There was no local rugby today because of Hunter playing in the Country Championships.

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GOING BACK TO 1976!

Friday, 15 May

Did you play in the undefeated Under 18s in 1976?

If so, one of your team mates, Allan Dodd, is trying to organise a 50-year reunion at the 2026 Sports Luncheon in August.

The Under 18s were a very successful outfit – it was undefeated Minor and Major Premiers in defeating Singleton 9-7 in the Grand Final and also went on an undefeated tour of New Zealand.

Allan is already making good progress in contacting players but wants to hear from any members of the team or touring party named below. They can contact Allan via mobile on 0417 667 435 or by email at allan@theicondepot.com.au

Symon Thomson, John Callaghan, Paul Burke, Trevor Brew, Jeff Quirk, Barry Plater, Brett Holdstock, John Stranger, Peter Mc Pherson, John Dines, John Gibson, Mark Johnson, Allan Dodd, Robert Dick, Michael Snape, Paul Paisley, John Masters, Dominic Vaughan, Ray Maddern, David Thompson, Jim McPherson, John Scarr, Stewart Elliott and Martin Vaughan.

See team photo by clicking on article in right hand column.

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IRELAND V JAPAN

Thursday, 23 April

Newcastle rugby followers are in for a treat in July when Ireland and Japan clash at McDonald Jones Stadium in early July.

The match is part of the two teams preparations for the 2027 World Rugby Cup and will be played on Saturday, 11 July.

Japan is coached by Eddie Jones who was at the helm of Australia’s World Cup challenge in 2023.

The upcoming match is part of the inaugural Nations Championship

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2026 SPORTS LUNCHEON

Tuesday, 31 March

The Old Boys’ Association has announced that it will be holding the club’s 2026 Sports Luncheon at Hamilton North Bowling Club on Friday, 7 August.

Preparations are underway for the function which will acknowledge the ‘anniversary’ of five Grand Final teams, these being:

1946 – First Grade Major Premiers
1956 – First Grade Grand Final Runner Up
1956 - Third Grade Grand Final Runners Up
1996 – Third Grade Grand Final Runner Up
2006 – First Grade Minor & Major Premiers
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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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