Touch rugby was a popular sport in Deniliquin in the early 1980s.
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Several local teams would meet up weekly to test their mettle against each other.
But some of the regular players wanted to take rugby to the next level in Deniliquin.
From those early discussions, the Deniliquin Drovers Rugby Union Club was formed.
The club fielded their first side in 1985, as part of the competition hosted by Riverina Rugby Union.
A 40 year celebration of the club’s formation will be hosted in Deniliquin on June 7.
Reunion co-organiser and founding clubman Tim Strong said it will be a chance to share some stories and celebrate the sport of rugby union.
He said at least 11 of the original team members have indicated they will be attending.
It includes Terry Reed, who was the drive behind the Drovers’ formation.
As well as playing, Terry was the club’s first president.
“Terry played for the Federal Hotel in the touch footy comp, and one day he approached me and said he loved his rugby league and would like to look at forming a local team,” Tim said.
“Terry went to a meeting in Hay, but the conditions on entry to the league competition were just not going to be achievable. They wanted us to form several teams, and contribute financially.
“My brother Andrew, who sadly is no longer with us, was playing for Wagga Ag College at the time and suggested we look into a union side instead.
“Riverina Rugby Union said they would accept us if we could form a seconds side, and that they would subsidise us.”
Tim said it did not take long to get enough interest from players, given the make-up of the community at the time.
But a lot of work went in to shoring up the numbers, forming an official club and gaining sponsors and officials.
“We immediately got interest from about four or five jackaroos around the area.
“Forty years ago all the stations had jackaroos, and most of them came from rugby areas like Queensland or Sydney.
“Alex Morrison was among the first to come on board. He was working at the Falkiner properties.
“We also had quite a few teachers, bankers and even police involved.
“After a short time, we probably had enough interest to field two sides, but we started with one and increased to two the following year.
“Brian Stanmore was our first strapper, and he got us our first jumpers. They were based on the Cronulla Sharks colours, and we wore then until we moved to the two blues design.
“John Semple sponsored our first official club jumpers, and he was the one who said he wanted the two blues colour scheme.”
The Drovers made their debut in a Riverina Rugby Union competition in April 1985, and showed early promise.
“The Deniliquin Rugby Union Club proved that its performance in the Wagga Knock-out was not a ‘flash in the pan’ with a win in the opening round on Saturday,” the Deniliquin Independent reported at the time.
“In blazing sunshine, Deniliquin began the season in brilliant fashion to defeat the experienced Cootamundra reserves by 20-3.
“The formation of the Rugby Union Club could well become the sporting success story of the season in Deniliquin.”
The Drovers had a stellar introduction to the league and the competition, sharing the reserves grand final honours later in the year.
Deni and Wagga Ag College could not be split, with the game 6-all after extra time.
The game pitted brothers against brother, with Tim and Warwick Strong playing for the Drovers and their brother Andrew playing for and president of the Aggies.
The Deniliquin Independent described highlights of the game as follows:
“A deeply committed Ken Menser darting from the scrum base with all the determination of a charging rhino.
“Tim Strong who could wear the title ‘Mr 100 per cent’, tackling and mauling with the ferocity of a tiger.
“The whole back row battling like a lost platoon among the barbarian horned.
“Big Dave Skipper galloping from the back of two rucks, and very nearly setting up a try each time.
“Dave Shingles stifling a near-certain field goal with a desperate lunge.
“Brett Frank crashing his opponents to the ground like a pile driver.
“The Deni defensive wall swarming like soldier ants to defend the sanctity of their line.
“So a great first season for Deniliquin ends in success, made possible by not only the team’s few genuine ‘stars’, but by a great commitment from the whole unit right through the year - in games, in training, and in off-field activities.”
Tall tales from the first season and the 39 years which have followed will be shared at the celebrations over the June King’s Birthday weekend.
Official events are scheduled for Saturday, June 7, with touch football and a barbecue being organised to be held at Deniliquin Rotary Park - the current home of the Deni Drovers.
The official reunion dinner will then be held from 7.30pm that evening at the Deniliquin RSL Club. Tickets are $50 per person.
Tim said if there is enough interest, an informal meet and greet would be held on the Friday evening.
There is also expected to be a ‘recovery’ at Conargo - where the Drovers would sometimes play - on the Sunday.
For more information about the reunion, or to book your ticket for Saturday night, head to the Deniliquin Drovers Rugby Union Club or contact Tim on 0429 841 642.
Senior journalist