GALLERY: Remembering Brahmans gone by
The Brahmans have been loved by generations, bringing the Proserpine community together over a love of league.
Whitsunday
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THERE are two things that signal winter in Proserpine: the beginning of the crush and kick-off for the beloved Brahmans.
The history of the Whitsunday Brahmans goes back to the 1920s and since its humble beginnings, many generations of Proserpine residents have taken to the field donning the signature green and purple kit.
For A-grade club manager and secretary Bryce Fraser, the sport is more than just a game, it’s a chance for the community to come together.
“It’s something the town is proud of,” he said.
“When winter comes along, it means football is back on in Prossie and you’re down at Les Stagg Oval on a cold Saturday night drinking beer and watching the Brahmans run around.
“It’s a gathering place for everyone to catch up every week or two and as much as it is a spectacle, it’s as much a social outing as well.”
Mr Fraser played for the Brahmans for 15 years but said among his favourite memories of the club was the 2015 premiership.
“It was just the perfect day,” he said.
“From watching reserve grade play and absolutely come out all guns blazing and win convincingly against Moranbah to (the A-grade squad) beating Sarina.
“Coming home to Les Stagg Oval on Sunday night it felt like the whole town was there cheering as we walked off the bus.
“The town really got behind the club in that first premiership and it stayed there since.”
Another memory that sticks out for a region of league-lovers was the day the Maroons came to town.
Led by Johnathan Thurston, the Queensland State of Origin team took to the streets of Proserpine in July 2015.
The town turned out in force to welcome the team with a special appearance from Cambil Mr Incredibull the Brahman.
“It was a great boost for the Whitsundays, a rugby league town at heart with people travelling from far and wide to Proserpine to meet the Maroons,” Mr Fraser said.
And while the Whitsunday Brahmans have seen many players come and go over the years, there was one thing that remained central to the club.
“The town has always been behind us sporting wise and sponsors wise because we class ourselves as a chook raffle club, we don’t have a big leagues club with pokies and bistro,” Mr Fraser said.
“We survive on bums on seats and sponsors really, and there’s a lot of local influence in that.
“A lot of people sponsor us just because they like what we stand for. We’re a family club, and a lot of sponsors are either ex-players and have a family member or close member who plays or have employed a player.
“We’re a proud club and it’s because of the community that we actually exist.”
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