Rainbow league club to celebrate reunion at Pavilion

Rainbows was once a rugby league club of renown in the Gympie region and even produced an Australian international. Now the club is planning a huge celebration to commemorate the golden jubilee of its reformation.

Rainbows RLFC A-Grade Premiers 1985 (back, from left) Peter Tierney, Mark Connell, Errol Ward (President), Wayne Connell, Frank Malone, (middle) Greg Eaton (Manager), Peter Blight, Bill Wilson, Ken Dellitt (Captain Coach), Jim Tierney, (front, from left) Craig Buckley, Kevin Hooker, Ron Watson, Glen Tierney and Brad Parker (absent M. McDougall).

Rainbows was once a rugby league club of renown in the Gympie region and even produced an Australian international.

Sadly the club is no more, but 2023 marks 50 years since the club was reformed and it’s former president, Errol Ward, is calling on past players and members to join together for a special night of celebrations at the Gympie Show Pavilion on Saturday, June 3 to commemorate the golden jubilee of the club’s reformation.

“I was president of the club for 15 years,” Ward said.

“The club was reformed in June 1973 after it closed for a short time in the 1960s.

“We are calling on all players who played for the Rainbows to join our celebrations.

“The golden jubilee team and coach will also be named on the night which is something we are really proud of.”

Rainbows was one of four clubs back in Gympie league’s heyday, including Brothers, Suburbs and Wanderers.

Rainbows RLFC Under 17 1987 Gympie Sunshine Coast Premiers, Recreation Cup, Charity Cup (Score 456 against 98). (Back, from left) Errol Ward, Bill Gosling (Strapper), Mark Simpson, Tony Vetter, Mal Davie, Wayne Cooley, Jason Taylor, B. Basford, Paulas Andreassen, B. Mitchell, Jim Davison (Manager), Brian Hooper (Coach) and Rod McCook (Runner), (middle row, from left) Dion Boreham, Michael Anderson, Tom Hooper (Captain), Stephen Holzapfel, Tony Dare, Michael Senini and (front, from left) Ray Frampton, Grant Lister, G. Anderson, Scott Frampton, Kevin Frampton and Brian King (Assistant Manager).

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They always had strong junior teams but because of out-of-town work commitments it was always difficult to maintain a senior side.

Mark Harris, who died in 2020, was the most famous to have played for the club, and he went on to play 190 times for Eastern Suburbs and 33 times for North Sydney and represented Australia 11 times.

He also had a short stint playing gridiron. He trialled for the Philadelphia Eagles in America before signing for Canadian outfit the Montreal Allouettes as a long-range kicker in the Canadian Football League and played seven games in the 1973 season.

Rainbows RLFC A-Grade Premiers 1985 (back, from left) Peter Tierney, Mark Connell, Errol Ward (President), Wayne Connell, Frank Malone, (middle) Greg Eaton (Manager), Peter Blight, Bill Wilson, Ken Dellitt (Captain Coach), Jim Tierney, (front, from left) Craig Buckley, Kevin Hooker, Ron Watson, Glen Tierney and Brad Parker (absent M. McDougall).

Kevin Yow Yeh played for Rainbows before joining the Balmain Tigers, playing 41 games between 1966 and 1968.

Other notable players who played for the team were Queensland representative player Reg Cannon, Greg Heading and Kerry Healy who played for Western Suburbs in Brisbane, and Greg Krogh who played for Northern Suburbs in Brisbane.

Players who represented Queensland country who started at the Rainbows, were Mike McDougall, Mark Connell, Frank Malone and Ronnie Watson.

Rainbows RLFC A-Grade 1973 Premiers, winners of Charity Cup, Baty Cup and Recreation Cup. (Back, from left) Errol Ward (President), John Lewis, Trevor Smoothey, John Quirk, Reg Cannon (Captain Coach), Peter Walker, Ron McTaggart, Wayne Head, Charles Pearce (Masseur), (middle) Trixie Salter, Gary Buchanan, Russ Connell, Wayne Pitt, Greg Heading, (front, from left) William Dorries, Greg Appleton, Vince Cronin and Peter Darch.

Errol Ward said Rainbows were a strong team at their peak.

“In 1987, Gympie won the 47th Battalion carnival,” he said.

“Rainbows had nine players in that squad.

“We are hoping for a great night and would love to see some of the old players, and anyone else who had links to the club.”

The reunion will be held in the Gympie Show Pavilion on June 3, from 5.30pm.

For tickets and further information, contact Errol Ward on 0456 629 908.

Rainbows RLFC Under 16 Premiers 1981 (Points SCored 315 for, 58 against). (Back, from left) Craig McBride, Brian Drummond, Rob Lawson, Bill Wilson, Greg Eastment, Andrew Bryce, Grant Cushion, (middle row, from left) Errol Ward (Club Manager), Jeff Williams, Randal Derksen, Bob Bleakley (president), COl Steinke, Shane McBride, Nick Bleakley (Team Manager), (front, from left) Mark Stimson, Craig Buckley, Glen Tierney, Duanne, Ward (Captain), Shane Barker, Peter Cobb and Rick Bazzo (Absent Rod Stacey coach).