Author Archives: bluebags_win

Statement from the Paramatta Eels Club on Jack Gill’s passing

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Vale: John Gill

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parraeels.com.au
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The Parramatta Eels are saddened to hear of the passing of former player John ‘Jack’ Gill.

John began his career in Newcastle and became captain/coach of the Northern Suburbs (Newcastle) Rugby League.

In 1959, John joined the Parramatta Eels as player #168 following in the footsteps of some of the greatest Newcastle North Bluebags to join the blue and gold, including Eels captain/coach Johnny Slade (#80), captain/coach Charlie Gill (#95), Max Bailey (#92), Alec Perkins (#79), and Tom Anderson (#97). John Gill played the position of lock in 12 x N.S.W.R.L. first-grade games for Parramatta in 1959 and played one game for the club in the Country Carnival of the same year.

He returned to Newcastle and was selected for Newcastle Firsts vs France in 1960 and vs New Zealand in 1967.

We extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of John Gill – forever Parramatta Eels player #168.

https://www.parraeels.com.au/news/author/parraeels.com.au/

 

Notes on Jack Gill’s career

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With the passing of former Northern Suburbs (Newcastle) Bluebag Player and Coach John Gill (better known to all as Jack or Croker) last Sunday, we would like to share some statistics and notable achievements about Jacks career and life, to the best of our knowledge.
John (Jack, Croker) Gill.
Birthplace – Stockton in 1937.
School – Hamilton Marist Brothers
Stockton and Northern Suburbs Juniors.
Northern Suburbs Career;
1955 – Under 18’s
1955 – Represented Newcastle Under 18’s v. Southern Division at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
1956 – Under 20’s.
1957 – Under 20’s.
1958 – First Grade debut in Round 1 against Western Suburbs on Easter Sunday at Harker Oval, 5th April 1958.
Jack had big shoes to fill at lock, replacing his former Junior teammate in Doug “Jumbo” Jones, who had signed on with the Western Suburbs Magpies in Sydney and had won the prestigious Bert Agland “Newcastle Player of the Year” award the previous year.
1959 – Signed with Paramatta, joining many former Northern Suburbs Bluebags that had played previously played at the club in the early to mid 1950’s.
* Jack became Eels Player No 168, playing in 13 first grade games, and scoring 2 try’s.
1960 – 1968, Northern Suburbs, playing in well over 100 First Garde games.
1962 – First Grade Premiership winning player.
1967 – First Grade Premiership winning Captain/Coach.
*Post Grand Final, Jack is also known as the player responsible for getting the 25 yrd dropout rule changed after the Grand Final, where Jack continually kicked the ball dead in goal, thus winding the clock down and forcing a drop-out from Western Suburbs
1968 – First Grade Coach.
1973 – First Grade Coach.
Jack Represented Newcastle in 4+ games.
Notable Representative games were.
1960 – vs. France, Newcastle Sports Ground, Saturday 21st May 1960.
1967 – vs. New Zealand, Newcastle Sports Ground, Saturday 21st May 1967.
1967 – Elected Life Member of the Northern Suburbs Rugby League Football Club.
Jack worked at the old Newcastle State Dockyard and then with Varley Engineering at Carrington, working his way up through higher roles.
Jack was also a distinguished Member of the Stockton Surf Club.
On behalf of everyone at the North Bluebags, we would like to pass on our condolences to all of Jack’s family, friends and former teammates.

Passing of former Player and Captain/ Coach Jack Gill

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With sadness we would like to advise of the passing of one of the Northern Suburbs Bluebags (Newcastle) greatest leaders and Newcastle Representative in Jack Gill this morning, after a long illness.
From everyone associated with the Bluebags, our sincere condolences go out to Jack’s Family, friends and former teammates.
As per Jack’s request, a private service will be held.
More information to follow this week.

North Old Boys v. Waratah-Mayfield Old Boys Bowls Day 18th April 2024.

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See attached notice below for the annual North Bluebags Old Boys v. Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs Old Boys Bowls Day and get together set down for Thursday 18th April 2024, at the Adamstown Bowling Club.
Invitation is open to all former players, coaches, officials and all supporters of the code. You don’t have to bowl, just come down for a friendly chat with the old boys from both clubs.
Details are as follows.
Thursday – 18th April 2024.
Venue – Adamstown Bowling Club.
Registration – 9.00am.
Start – 9.30am
Cost is $10.00, Lunch and Bowls.
Schooners $6.00.
For any further information, please contact Reg Toby on 0412847570.

 

 

Passing of former player Robert “Rocket” Campbell

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The Campbell family have advised of the passing of former Northern Suburbs Representative Junior and Grade player Robert “Rocket” Campbell on the 5th of January 2024.
Our condolences go out to all of Robert’s family, friends and former teammates.
A few note on Roberts career to the best of our knowledge.
Born in Carrington.
Northern Suburbs schoolboy.
Northern Suburbs Junior.
Newcastle Junior Representative.
Position, Second Row and occasionally Front Row.
Northern Suburbs Grade 1963 – 1964 and 1966 -1967
Reserve Grade debut v. Maitland at Maitland Sports Ground, Saturday 6th April 1963.
First Grade debut v. Western Suburbs, Harker Oval, Saturday 19th August 1963.

North Bluebags 2023 Old boys Reunion Day

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The 2023 North Bluebags Old Boys Reunion Day is on again and will be held at the Adamstown Bowling Club on Sunday 8th October, commencing from 11.30am.
All former Players, Juniors, Officials, Coaches, Supporters and Friends are warmly encouraged to attend.
On arrival you will receive a North Bluebags name tag, (see above picture, with Hutcho as the example).
Finger food will be provided from 1pm.
6 raffles will be conducted throughout the day with tickets 3 for $5.00.
36 t-shirts (see above picture) will be on sale for $35.00, with first in best dressed.
Feel free to bring any memorabilia, photos, newspaper clippings, trophies etc., as there will be several tables set out for display.
For further information or for any persons unable to attend due to mobility or lack of transport, please contact:
Please pass on date to anyone who may be interested.
Reg Toby – 0412847570
Jake Davey – 0419297020
  
 

A few notes on Dave Riding’s career.

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Just a few notes on David Riding’s career to the best of our knowledge.

Macquarie United 1968 – 1975

*1968 – Graded at Macquarie United via Dora Creek, playing in several positions in the backs including wing and 5/8 in his early years and later in the forwards.
*Played over 150 games, including over 130 in First Grade.

North Newcastle 1976 – 1980.

Dave was a noted tackling machine, playing occasionally lock but in the main second row, culminating in playing a pivotal role in our 1979 Premiership win.
*Played over 100 First Grade games.
*2018 – Elected Life Member of the North Newcastle RLFC.

Dora Creek 1981- Captain/Coach.

Kurri Kurri. 1983.

*Dave has the honour of being one of the very few players in the Newcastle Rugby League to have achieved over 100 first grade games at two clubs, Macquarie United and North Newcastle.
A fantastic achievement.