Qld rugby league legend Wally Lewis celebrates 65th birthday at Normanby Hotel

A bid to get his birthday honoured with a public holiday may not have succeeded, but ‘King’ Wally Lewis still managed to party in style in Brisbane on Sunday.

Wally Lews and Brisbane Lions co-captain Lachie Neale at the Norman Hotel. Picture: Photo Steve Pohlner

Queensland rugby league legend Wally Lewis has celebrated his 65th birthday with family, friends and fans on Sunday.

‘The King” was left overwhelmed by the number of people gathered at the Normanby Hotel in Brisbane’s Red Hill to help him celebrate.

Wally Lewis with Andrew Treadwell at a 65th birthday gathering at the Normanby Hotel. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“It’s a real thrill and honour and it’s quite moving that this many people, particularly in the rain, have given their time and effort to come along and talk to me and ask some questions. I think it just shows what great people Queenslanders are,” he said.

“It’s fantastic, but there is a whole lot of other people who I would have loved to have had here but interstate makes it a bit hard.”

The event also marked the end of an ambitious campaign by SportsPick to get the traditional King’s Birthday public holiday in October swapped out for Wally’s birthday in December.

Lewis laughed at the idea, suggesting not everyone would be happy.

“Well there will be plenty of people that will be saying ‘he ain’t the king’ so don’t go to his birthday,” he said.

“But for a promotional enjoyment such as we’ve got here today, it’s a lot of fun.

“Originally I could not stand the nickname of ‘The King’ where it was used as a defamatory name rather than now, it’s fun. Good to be involved in it.”

And if ‘The King’ could celebrate his birthday weekend by hosting one game of footy, which game would it be?

“A State of Origin game for sure,” he said.

Originally published as Qld rugby league legend Wally Lewis celebrates 65th birthday at Normanby Hotel