The Waratahs have great pleasure in announcing full details of our 2025 Sports Luncheon where former Wallabies fullback and current President of NSW Rugby Union, Matt Burke, will be our Guest Speaker.
President of the club’s Old Boys’ Association, Paul Paisley, said the luncheon was part of the club’s 85th Anniversary celebrations and that the Old Boys are expecting a big attendance.
“We are extremely grateful to Club Patron, Paul Murphy, who helped arrange Matt’s visit to Newcastle as the two struck up a friendship at the last Rugby World Cup in France,” said Paul.
Details of our Sports Luncheon are:
Function: 2025 Sports Luncheon
Date: Friday, 8 August
Time: Midday until late afternoon
Venue: Hamilton North Bowling Club
Cost: $50 for Old Boys members (subsidised part of the club’s 85th Anniversary Year); $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)
“Our Guest Speaker is one of Australian rugby’s favourite sons having graduated from St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill to play 81 Tests on the international stage from 1993 to 2004,” Paul said.
“Matt, a current member of the Stan Sport Rugby Commentary Team, progressed quickly from the amateur ranks of club Rugby with Eastwood to donning the sky blue for the NSW Waratahs to making his Test debut for the Wallabies in 1993 at just 20 years of age against the Springboks in Sydney.
“Affectionately known by the Rugby community as ‘Burkey’, he went on to represent the Wallabies at three World Cups (1995, 1999 & 2003) and made his mark on the 1999 World Cup final in Cardiff when his magnificent right boot provided 25 points in Australia’s 35-12 eclipse of France to claim the William Webb Ellis trophy for the Wallabies.”
Matt (pictured below) would also play a major role in the historic 2-1 series win against the British & Irish Lions in 2001 along with being a multiple winner of the Bledisloe Cup in beating long time archrivals the All Blacks.
After playing for the Wallabies, Matt joined the Newcastle Falcons for three years in the United Kingdom before turning his attention to the media with equal success. He became the prime-time sports news reader with Network Ten and was the face of the international rugby coverage before moving to Stan Sport.
Paul said Matt, who was sure to be an enlightening Guest Speaker and provide a great review of the upcoming Wallabies v British & Irish Lions Test series, was inducted to the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame in 2024.
During the luncheon, The Tahs will acknowledge club teams who are celebrating their own ‘anniversary’ this year. They include:
2005 First grade - Grand Finalists (20th year anniversary)
1995 First Grade - Grand Finalists (30th year anniversary)
1975 Second Division - Minor & Major Premiers (50th year anniversary)
1945 Third Grade - undefeated Minor and Major Premiers (80th year anniversary)
Paul said the Sports Luncheon is sure to be a popular rugby event and was one of the reasons why the Old Boys opened bookings early.
