Author Archives: bluebags_win

Passing of former Northern Suburbs and Newcastle Representative Hooker Don “Ducky Williams

Posted on by
We would like to advise everyone today of the sad passing at 1pm of former Northern Suburbs and Newcastle Representative Hooker, Club Life Member Don “Ducky” Williams after a long illness.
 
Don “Ducky” Williams.
Born in Wickham 3rd November 1934.
Northern Suburbs Junior.
1952 Under 18’s Minor and Major Premiers.
 
A few notes on Donny’s senior career:
Northern Suburbs 1954 – 1965
1954 Reserve Grade debut.
1957 First Grade debut vs Waratah-Mayfield at Waratah Oval.
1959 First Grade Premiership win vs Maitland.
1962 First Grade Premiership win vs South Newcastle.
1964 Made a Life Member of the Northern Suburbs Rugby League Football Club.
1965 Retires after dislocating and fracturing his elbow in a scrum against Macquarie United at Passmore Oval.
Almost 150 First Grade games in total.
 
Representative Career 1958-1962
Coalfields vs Western Suburbs (Sydney) in Newcastle 1958.
North Sydney vs Newcastle at North Sydney Oval 1959.
Newcastle vs New Zealand at Newcastle No 1 Sports Ground 30th May 1959.
Newcastle vs Northern Division at Maitland Sports Ground 1st May 1960.
Riverina vs Newcastle (Final) at Wagga Wagga 8th May 1960.
Newcastle vs France at Newcastle No 1 Sports Ground 21st May 1960.
Northern Division vs Newcastle at Gunnedah 22nd April 1962.
Newcastle vs North Coast Division at Cahill Oval 29th April 1962.
Western Division vs Newcastle (Final) at Parkes 6th May 1962.
Newcastle vs Great Britain at Newcastle No 1 Sports Ground 4th June 1962.
Donny played an incredible part in the Northern Suburbs History. He was part of a golden period where the mighty Bluebags had Representative Hookers that extended almost to over 25yrs in succession. Firstly led by Bob Crane, Harry Gibb, Donny Williams, John “Wagga” Knight and finally Alan Jones.
Donny was also part of the 1962 star studded Newcastle Representative team that played Great Britain at the Newcastle No 1 Sports Ground.
 
After Donny’s playing days he fulfilled may roles that included Vice President and Reserve Grade Coach in 1967, 1971,1983 and a fulfilled the role of a selector from 1972 and on other occasions.
 
We will advise later of Funeral arrangements that will still include Covid restrictions.

Passing of Life Member and long time supporter Carol Campbell.

Posted on by

With sadness we would like to advise the passing of our long time supporter and Life Member Carol Campbell this
morning after a long illness aged 74.
Carol, whose generosity over many,many years
often knew no bounds to our North Bluebags and later our Women’s teams.
At time of passing,Carol was a very successful proprietor
of Port Hunter Conveyors.
Our condolences go out to Carol’s family,business and work colleagues and her many friends at our club.
R.I.P Carol.

Passing of former Northern Suburbs player Denis Nichols.

Posted on by
With sadness we would like to advise all of the passing this morning of former Northern Suburbs, Newcastle Representative front rower and club Life Member Denis Nichols this morning after a long illness.
A few notes on Denis’s fantastic career at North’s 1965-1973.
* Former North’s Junior.
* 1965 3rd Grade debut.
* 1965 Reserve Grade debut (after only one 3rd grade game)
* 1965 First Grade debut against Central Newcastle at
   Newcastle No 1 Sports ground on Saturday 3rd July 1965.
* 1967 Northern Suburbs Premiership win.
* 1968 Newcastle Representative debut.
* Denis went on to play over 110 first grade games.
* 1971 elected Life Member of the Northern Suburbs Football Club.
* 1974-1975 played out his career with Central Charlestown.
Our condolences go out to Denis’s family,friends and all of his former teammates.
R.I.P Denis.

 


  

Vale Doug Hawke 1929 – 2017

Posted on by

With deep sadness we would like to advise all our Supporters and Newcastle rugby league supporters of the passing of former Northern Suburbs representative forward Doug Hawke. Without any confirmation Doug would have been our oldest representative player today as well as one of our oldest former players.
Doug was born in Northumberland St, Maryville in 1929, the son of H.(Jerry) Hawke who played for the Bluebags from 1928 through to 1935,as well as representing Newcastle in many matches culminating in his selection for Country Seconds in 1931.Jerry then went on to be a North’s coach and official for many years.
Doug,like his father went on to represent the Northern Suburbs club with distinction going straight from Under 20’s in 1949 to first grade in 1950.That in itself is a fantastic achievement,considering the calibre of our forwards at that time and right into the 1950’s and 1960’s.
Doug played from 1950 through to 1957,playing in our 1951 and 1953 premiership winning teams, then going on to represent Newcastle on many occasions including several games for NSW Country.
Some of Doug’s notable achievements:
1952 Newcastle vs New Zealand.
1952 Coalfields vs St George.
1953 Country 2nd’s vs City.
1953 Newcastle Vs America
1953 Coalfields vs Newtown.
1954 Country 2nd’s vs City
1954 Newcastle vs England.
1955 Newcastle vs France.
1955 Newcastle vs South Sydney.
1956 Newcastle vs Coalfields.
1956 Newcastle vs New Zealand.
1956 Newcastle vs South Sydney.
Our condolences and thoughts go out to Doug’s family at this time.
Funeral details are as follows:
Generation City Church,Tudor St,Hamilton this Thursday from 11am.

* It was at this Church that Doug spent many hours cooking for the homeless.
Many thanks to Garry Pyers for his assistance in helping with information on Doug, including supplying the recent pictures of Doug doing some wood turning as from only 2 weeks ago.