Unearthing the Line of Lode
Digging up the past of Broken Hill football
By Rod Gillett, Peter Clark and Ken Gray in Broken Hill, NSW
Our mission was to deliver a plaque at the home of footy in Broken Hill. The SCG, Wagga’s Robertson Oval and Trumper Park in Paddington, Sydney, already recognized as Heritage Sites, it was Jubilee Oval’s time to be unearthed. What we discovered about Broken Hill footy was that the treasure trove is more than silver, lead and zinc, rather a deep mine of footy rivalry and some gems of characters.
The Broken Hill ‘Gems’ (in no particular order)
- ‘I’ve got a plan Hoffie’
- Colin ‘Case’ Casey
- ‘Railway Christine’
- ‘Mr Fix-it Rod’
- ‘Can-do Steve’
- ‘Ms Community Julie Ann’
We arrived on a flying kangaroo. Four days later we departed on a silver and blue Outback Explorer. What played out in between?
Towering above the waiting throng at the Silver City airport stood Sturt footy legend (SANFL) and current AFL Broken Hill Operations Manager Colin ‘Case’ Casey.
Colin Casey greeting ‘Rocket’
“You must be the footy history buffs from Sydney. I’m here to pick you up,” ‘Case’ announced.
The “old footy history buffs from Sydney”- Ken Gray, Peter Clark and ‘Rocket’ Rod Gillett
Little did we know, ‘Case’ would spend the next four days and nights taxiing us around town taking us inside footy grounds, footy social clubs, pubs and clubs and restaurants. None gave him more joy than escorting us to his old club, Wests, after their upset victory over top of the table team Souths. ‘Case’ was like a proud grandfather as the Robins players and supporters flocked into the club rooms to celebrate their first win in more than 650 days.
Afterwards ‘Case’ introduced us to his partner, ‘Ms Community Julie Ann’, who quoted to us the words of warning given by her mother.
“Don’t you go to the SOUTH Julie Ann!”
Little did her mother know, Julie Ann went to the South, as would we on our mission to discover more about the footy tribalism of the Silver City.
The footy tribalism of Broken Hill – Magpies, Roos, Robins and Bulldogs
AFL Broken Hill Chairman Andrew Schmidt, aka ‘Hoffie’, called and said, “I’ve got a plan. Meet me at the BHP (Broken Hill Pub) at 4.”
We would soon learn that ‘Hoffie’ had more than a plan or two for us. He drove us to Central to see the weekly Auskick program at Memorial Oval where 150 budding footballers were kitted in the colours of their local club. Supported by their mums, dads and grandparents, the boys and girls of Broken Hill were enthusiastically engaged in the popular Friday afternoon footy ritual.
The precious Heritage Plaque that had travelled out to The Hill in seat 1A was ready to be fixed to the wall at Jubilee Oval (the ‘Jube’).
‘Can-do Steve’ Quinn, ‘Rocket’ and ‘Mr Fix-it Rod’ Garner at the ‘Jube’
‘Mr Fix-it Rod’ and his trusty offsider ‘Can-do Steve’ were on hand for the job. At lunchtime on Saturday, before the match of the round between North and Central, mayor Tom Kennedy performed the duty of unveiling the plaque. AFL Broken Hill officials and supporters from the four clubs stood and applauded.
‘Rocket’ and the Mayor unveiling the plaque
‘Case’ then told us of his grand plans for Jubilee Oval. We all knew the Mayor was listening!
At the South – Alma Oval – for South v West
The old footy history buffs from Sydney got to see the full round of matches on Saturday. Firstly, at the ‘Jube’ where North comfortably defeated Central. And then at Alma Oval to see West hold off a late charge by reigning premiers, and odds-on favourites, South. Like ‘Ms Community Julie Ann’, we crossed the Line of Lode and we were better for it.
Following the glories of Saturday, ‘Hoffie’s’ next plan was a run out to Silverton. After a pie, a beer and a talk to others with big plans, it was time to roll up to the old gaol where a treasure trove of footy memorabilia was awaiting our inspection.
‘Hoffie’ has a plan for the old photographs that record the early days of footy in the Barrier Ranges. He just hasn’t told AFL Broken Hill Operations Manager, ‘Case’, yet!
Sunset scene atop the Line of Lode
At sunset we climbed the Line of Lode to see the city from on high and to pay our respects to the more than 800 miners who lost their lives in the mines at Broken Hill.
In visits to the Trades Hall (the ‘Kremlin’) and museums we appreciated the struggles faced by the miners and their families and understood more about the social history of the city.
Footy rules the airwaves on ABC Radio Broken Hill on Monday mornings. Station Manager, Andrew Schmidt – aka ‘Hoffie’ – had yet another plan. It was an interview with ‘Rocket’ on the morning show about the process of selection of Jubilee Oval for the Heritage Register of the NSW Australian Football Heritage Association. We discovered that interviewers and news presenters Patrick Reinke, Oliver Browne (both from Centrals) and Bill Ormonde (Wests) were footballers too.
Patrick Reincke interviewing ‘Rocket’
“Ms Community Julie Ann’, who is Broken Hill Rotary Club President, also had a plan for the old footy history buffs from Sydney – guest speakers at their meeting number 5546 held at the Musicians Club. There we described our mission and our footy passions and shared fellowship with some of the volunteers who are integral to the fabric and the chemistry of the Silver City.
Time to pack for home, but before leaving town a visit to the railway museum was a must. There, ‘Railway Christine’ advised, “You are not going back to Sydney on that old Silver Comet, you’re travelling on the silver and blue Outback Explorer over there.”
Like most people in Broken Hill, Christine has a passion for football and her beloved Central club. In her farewell to us she recalled her days as a spectator at the footy. She was a critic. “Read the rules Mr Dingle!” was Christine’s catch-cry from the boundary.
Mission accomplished, the footy history buffs from Sydney boarded the train a little wiser, and in a mood of satisfaction, departed the Silver City.
AFL Broken Hill Football scores (Round 7):
North 5.19 (49) defeated Central 5.4 (34)
West 10.6 (66) defeated South 7.15 (57)
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About Peter Clark
is a lifelong Geelong supporter. Hailing from the Riverina, he is now entrenched on the NSW South Coast. His passion for footy was ignited by attending Ovens and Murray League matches in the 1960's with his father. After years of watching, playing and coaching, now it is time for some serious writing about his favourite subjects… footy, especially country footy, and cricket.
Good stuff Peter. Been to Broken Hill thrice, twice saw the running of the Cup, but never seen the footy there.
I recall a few players from Broken Hill starting with Steve Hywood who played in the Richmond 1972 Grand Final team. Peter, jog my memory. Chris Lynch who played a few games for Geelong in 1972, he was from Broken Hill? In more recent times we’ve Dean Solomon, Brett Staker, with of course ‘Tex’ Walker still playing.
Great news about the heritage status of Jubilee Oval. Important to recognise these vital parts of our social history.
The Line of the Lode; seeing the names of those miners who’ve lost their lives at work emphasises to me the importance of health and safety representatives (HSR’s) at work. Safety at work is pivotal, and in my many years as a HSR its importance is a daily reality. No one wants to go home sick from work, let alone in a ambulance. What’s that adage about, ‘Health & Safety is a right, not a privilege’.
Silverton is pretty amazing. A rough, bumpy ride there across an amazing landscape, then the sights of Silverton. The Mad Max museum, the ‘art houses’, the little bakery, with of course the amazing Silverton Hotel. Great place to visit. Oooh yes, don’t forget the ubiquitous Silverton donkeys.
Thanks for this Peter.
Glen!
Magnificent Peter.
A few other Broken Hill names that come to mind, Oberon Pirak, Peter Meuret and George Lakes.
Well done Peter Rocket and Ken
She’s tribal , you picked that up didn’t you.
Did the railway museum have the details of Australia’s first domestic terrorist incident?
Glen and Swish,
Thanks for adding the names of those Broken Hill footballers to the story.
I see that Chris Lynch is the grandson of Broken Hill trade union leader Paddy O’Neill. We saw photos of Paddy at the Trades Hall and read about his role in the union movement at Broken Hill.
As well as ‘Tex’, North Broken Hill is the home of Isaac Cumming.
Nank,
Yes, the Railway Museum has a display describing the attack on the Silverton train in 1915.
George Lakes ?
I recall he played more games for Melbourne, but my sole memory of him is he played at the Lakeside Oval against Melbourne in 1972. For some strange reason I recall he appearing on B&W footage of the match I saw on TV the following day.
Correct me If I’m wrong but Lakes was an Anglicised version of his Greek surname.
Glen!
Great stuff. Colin Casey was a Mr Reliable full back in 2 flags for Sturt in the 1970’s. I remember his sideburns.
Broken Hill is one of those mythical places. In the middle of nowhere – stuck in the desert – but a source of great wealth; great opportunity and great tragedy. In NSW but much closer to Adelaide than Sydney – so it trades on Central not Eastern time. Been there twice – once with my grandparents as a kid. Grandad was a grain inspector who toured SA checking wheat and barley quality – in the days of bagged grain rather than concrete silos. Then in the mid 1970’s for the races. The feature was the Guinness Gold Harp – on Golden Slipper weekend. Cockburn is a tiny SA town right on the border – with the police station in SA and the pub in NSW. Stopped in for a “quick one” at midnight on the way to our destination. Traps for young players.
Correct Glen
http://demonwiki.org/George+Lakes
Thanks Peter_B.
I can see Colin Casey in his 1970s sideburns. He regaled us with stories of playing under the great Jack Oatey at Sturt.
Our tour guide (Andrew Schmidt, St Patrick’s Race Club President and 2025 Citizen of the Year) took us to the racecourse. Two race clubs in Broken Hill – St Patrick’s (race held in March) and Silver City (in November). The racecourse has become a very popular camping spot for grey nomads and visitors to the annual Mundi Mundi Bash (in August).
Must return to the Silver City one day soon.
Thanks Peter, enjoyed reading your article very much.
Brett Cook was another Broken Hill product who played for Fitzroy and St Kilda. Brett played for Centrals in B Hill before heading to Norwood in the SANFL prior to playing in the AFL.
He played for the Saints in the 1997 Grand Final which was won by the Adelaide Crows.
Andrew Bennett was another Central B Hill player who later played for South Adelaide, Hawthorn and St Kilda in the 70’s & 80’s. Andrew then had a distinguished senior coaching career in Tasmania for many years.
Thanks for adding those two BH footy names to the Line of Lode story Geoff.
The Silver City has provided its fair share of stars to the SANFL and VFL/AFL.