Memories of the Queensland Interstate Squash Trip to Perth in 1979



This story was mainly put together from the collective memories of both Rita Paulos and Tom Connor that have been passed on in recent emails.

The Queensland Squash Racquets Association sent both a Men's and Ladies' team and also Junior Boy's and Girl's Teams to contest the interstate teams event and the Australian Individual Titles in Perth in 1979. This is a story of how they got on over in Sand Groper country, with as many of the squash results as can be recalled, but also it's a story about a poem/song that was mainly composed by an ex Boomerang player that was in the Men's team, namely Tom Connor.

Tom said when he put the song together, and passed his idea on to Team Coach Dave Wright, that maybe it could be sung at the Final Presentation night, Dave thought it was a good idea, and added a few minor changes to the original by Tom. The song was sung by the whole Queensland Men's Team, along with Coach Dave Wright on the guitar.

Firstly, a few memories of the makeup of the teams and some results. The Men's team was Frank Donnelly, Ross Thorne, Greg Williams, Kelvin Smith and Tom Connor. Tom said he was mainly the 12th man but did get a game against NT during the week and had a win in 3. The team coach was Dave Wright and the Men's manager was Ray Post.

The Teams Competition was a round robin tournament, and the leading point getter at the end of the week was declared the winning State, from what Tom tells in his emails. Queensland was drawn to play Victoria in the final match and the winner of this match would win the Men's Teams Title.

Prior to their success in the Men's Teams Titles, the individual events were played, with Queensland players winning the Men's Open Title and the Girl's Junior Title.

Frank Donnelly won the Men's Title, Frank was too strong for Glen Brumby of South Aussie in the final but his toughest match was in the semi-final against Mark Mounsey. Frank is pretty sure that Glen Brumby defeated Ross Thorne of Queensland in the other semi-final. Vicki Hoffman of South Australia won the Ladies' Singles Title.

Sue Post was successful in winning the Junior Girl's final and G Pollard of NSW won the Junior Boy's Title.

Tom Connor's Memories of the Trip.



This is a recent Email from Tom Connor with some of his memories about the Trip to Perth and also the origin of the song that he wrote with the help of coach of the team Dave Wright. The Queensland Men's Team all got up on the stage and sang the song, along with the help of the audience. Some of what Tom says here may have already been covered in the above article.

I was saying in an email yesterday on Blackberry to Joe, that being No 5, I had some time on my hands between practices etc and for some reason the story of Mick Donnelly at the Aussie Champs the year he won the Title struck a chord and bits and pieces just came to mind during the week. On the eve of the final day, I remember mentioning it to Dave Wright and he jumped at it, he added all the course bits of course and started lining up a guitar etc.

He talked Ray Post (the Men's Team Manager) into printing a number of copies and hence, at the final dinner, we all went up on stage and gave the rendition. The crowd really joined in the chorus big time, I remember seeing Vicki Cardwell ( the Ladies' Champ from SA) come right down the front to get into and leading the crowd in the singing of the chorus. The music used was (a sort of to a quickened up) Pub with no Beer.

Not all the words are true of course; Mick Donnelly did apparently say that when accepting the Champion's Trophy the previous year. His Mum Marie Donnelly (The Ladies' Team Manager) was really pleased with the song. Dave didn't actually take us to the parlors but we used to drive past them each morning and afternoon travelling between our motel and the courts. Joe tells me that after 29 years the Happy Haven is still in operation, he claims someone told him so.

Peter Nance was in the juniors at Number 1, Kelvin Smith was our No 4. Early in the tournament he was slow getting into the back seat of the car driven by Dave Wright and the rear tyre actually ran over his calf, tearing off some skin. He was really worried about it and Dave told him to urinate on it to stop any infections. Bev was the manager of the NSW Girls and I think Bev did actually raid the girls rooms suspecting boys where in there, but Kelvin hid in the cupboard.

Frank denies the story of him at the Final night, I only repeated word of mouth rumours, I don't think he actually danced or anything else. But it was a great result. He was awesome all two weeks actually, just relentless. I remember practicing a lot with him and he just had a set routine at practice and that was it, then off home for spaghetti at the right time and whammo, on the night, Frank won the Australian Title.

Ross Thorne was No 2 and had a great two weeks as well, best I'd ever seen him play. I can't remember how far he got in the Individuals but I think it was a fair way. Then he had some big games in the teams and by the final game against Victoria (the winner would win the title), he had damaged most of the skin on both soles of his feet. After each game against Victoria Ross would finish with blood everywhere, but he did great and won even then, from memory that clinched the win for us. I think Kelvin lost 3-1 at 4, Greg Williams won at 3, Ross and Frank both won, but Ross' match was the one that we were worried about.

I think WA was the other danger team and Steve Wall (I think that was his name) when he played against against Victoria , did bite the ball when he needed a spell, hence a new ball and time to warm it up.

Below is a copy of the song I composed and the Queensland Men's Team sang on the stage, on the presentation night.

Tom

BANGING AWAY IN WA



We'll tell you a story - 'bout a squash group we know
To Western Australia these hereos did go
They sought there a motto - to keep them in cheer
While sitting round quaffing - the Swan Lager Beer.

They remembered their Champion Mick Donnelly his name
He'd won the Australian - to make his squash fame
When asked how he did it - he was heard to say
Get ya head down - hang in there and keep Banging Away.

Chorus

Banging away - Banging away
That's what we did in WA
Banging away - Banging away
Get ya head down - hang in there - keep banging away.

Just down the road a quarter a mile
Was the Happy Haven - by George it had style
And for those who were fussy and wanted a pick
Was the Kentucky taste of the Paradise Chicks.

And at these two Parlors - we sought our respite
Under the direction of our Coach - Dave Wright
He lined us all up - and showed us the way
With an A1 example - of banging Away.

Banging away - Banging away
That's what we did in WA
Banging away - Banging away
Get ya head down - hang in there - start banging away.
Come on boys - get in there - keep Banging Away.

Old Nancey took a fancy to the girl next door
With the Tasmanian Junior - he thought he would score
But she was a devil - she thought him a joke
His ball work was good - but he missed on the poke.

So he switched his attention to a local grown girl
Out in the playground - he gave her a whirl
He swung her away - but she kept swinging back
He swung her so high - he noticed her ----------

Banging away - Banging away etc

Now he played a groper - his name was Steve Wall
He got out of trouble by breaking his ball
And he twirls his racket - with plenty of class
He twirled it so much - it stuck up his ------------

Banging away - Banging away etc.

The Victorian Juniors - we thought they were queer
They played with flash ear-rings - attached to their ears
They zipped many players - they thought they were it
But we are convinced - they're all full of ---------

Banging away - Banging away etc.

Kelvin had trouble - getting his in
His footwork was slow - he lost half his skin
Bev chased him through the Gateway - in cupboards he hid
He thought most girls won't - but we know one girl did.

And Frank was the Champion - in a manner so bold
He went to dinner to pick up the Gold
When asked up to dance - he cried half your luck
I'm not here to dance - I'm here to -----------

Banging away - Banging away etc.

That's the end of this story and we're sad to relate
That the red's have been proved - to be a top State
We bid you farewell - and thanks for the stay
Till next year at the Gold Coast - keep banging away.

Banging away - Banging away etc.