LOCAL RUGBY RESULTS

Saturday, 23 May

Results of today’s local rugby …

Shute Shield -

Hunter Wildfires d West Harbour 29-19

Hunter Rugby - Men

Merewether Carlton d Wanderers 40-0
Maitland d Hamilton 49-12
Southern Beaches v University - postponed

Hunter Rugby - Women

Merewether Carlton d Singleton 67-0
Maitland d Scone 64-0
Hamilton d Cooks Hill 38-0
University v Wanderers - postponed

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JUNIORS 2026 AGM

Saturday, 23 May

The Juniors have advised that they will be holding their 2026 Annnual General Meeting on Monday, 22 June.

The venue will be Diggers Club at Wallsend with the meeting starting at 5pm.

Nominations for committee positions close at 5pm on Monday, 8 June. If positions are not filled a Special General Meeting will be held after the AGM to consider the future of the Juniors.

Full details about the AGM are posted on the club’s Facebook page.

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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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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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