It's Heritage Round in the Griffin Legal John I Dent Cup, so we're taking a look back at some of the glory years, key people and more for all seven of our Premier division clubs, starting with the Queanbeyan Whites.
Coach Col
Rarely does a coach claim three first grade premierships in a row. Col Maxwell achieved the threepeat in 1981, 1982 and 1983.
Not only was the Whites most successful coach he played 200 first grade games and was made a life member of the ACTRU, ACTJRU, ACT Schools and Queanbeyan.His no-nonsense approach as a front rower was also evident in his coaching accompanied by a great sense of humour.
His half-time speeches were legendary and many a school boy blushed as he used the full range of the English language.(pictured Col Maxwell)
Campo
The Whites fourth grade won the premiership in 1979 on the back of a very young David Campese. He went onto three first grade grand finals from 1981 to 1983. Campo scored all 29 points in the first-grade premiership against Daramalan. Someone from Dara had decided Campese was weak under the high ball and paid the price. In that game he scored four tries, two conversions and three penalty goals.(pictured David Campese)
Threepeat
The Whites had their most successful premiership run from 1981-83. The first two grand final victories were built around players like Graham Hughes, Henry Kaszprzak, Ray Watson, David Maxwell, Mal Douch, Mark Berry, Peter Stumbles, John Maguire, Chris Newman, Hamala Langi and David Campese.
The 1983 victory was most memorable given that players such as Hughes, Douch and Watson, Terry Kinnane and Neil Phillips had retired.
The side won eight of their last 11 matches to qualify for the play-offs with Queanbeyan not dropping a game after Peter Stumbles returned from injury.(Pictured premiership side)
Hughes a giant
Graham Hughes is a modest person but his rugby record is far from modest. He won the MacDougall Medal, awarded to the outstanding player in the ACT competition, and the Tommy Byrne Memorial Trophy for ACT’s best and fairestThere is little debate about Hughes’ standing at the Whites.
He would be named in the club’s best ever team. He has played more than 200 first grade games, captained the Whites to premierships in 1981 and 1982. Hughes represented the ACT throughout the 1970’s and early 80’s. He also played for NSW Country.
Graham has played against the All Blacks, Tonga, Fiji, the Barbarians, Wales and Ireland. He was once described as the best rugby forward to never have played for the Wallabies.Graham is a life member of the club remains a keen supporter of the Whites and can be seen at most games. (Pictured Graham Hughes)
The backbone
Club officials often go unrecognised and today not many stay in voluntary roles for long periods. Graham Gordon was president of Queanbeyan from 1970 to 1983 and was president of the ACTRU from 1980 until 1989. He was the club’s and the ACT’s backbone as an outstanding administrator.A man of high principle, patience and persuasion he was a leader in rugby for more than two decades.(Pictured Graham Gordon)
