Rugby club’s 150th jubilee a good fit with Anzac spirit
Anzac Day holds a special place in the history of Riverton Rugby Club and is a big reason why its 150th jubilee is taking place from today until April 27.
Formed in 1874, the club had 128 men associated with World War I, while others attended World War II.
“Twenty-seven made the ultimate sacrifice including four brothers and the fifth brother came home to go to the lighthouse at Centre Island,” Riverton Rugby Club president Rodney Lonneker said.
As part of their celebrations, the club would be involved in the annual Anzac service in Riverton.
“Past and present members of the club are marching down the main street on Anzac Day as part of the service and then we have a 150th jubilee member speaking at the RSA and about the relationship between the rugby club and WWI.”
They also have a WWI club flag that went to Gallipoli, travelled to Egypt, went through the trenches and then made the front line at the Somme and came home. “It links it all in and tells the story.“The historical links between Anzac Day and Riverton Rugby Club – the sixth-oldest club in New Zealand – made the public holiday a perfect time to begin their jubilee celebrations.
“We knew Invercargill Blues, who we are slightly older than would want King’s Birthday Weekend and we wanted ours to mean a lot and have a sense of remembrance, and with all the links between our club and Anzac Day, we thought it was the perfect time for the jubilee.”
Riverton played their first-ever game against Invercargill Blues at the Highlands and lost 35-5, creating the start of an impressive rivalry and friendship between the two clubs.
“There is the 1874 trophy which the two clubs play for and it is made from a piece of wood from Highlands, an old macrocarpa tree and it means a bit more to us. We’re in the top 10 oldest clubs in New Zealand. We are the first in Southland to celebrate 150 years. Blues are just behind us.”
As for the jubilee itself, it’s just a case of counting down the hours. “We’re all done. The dinner is sold out — all 500 tickets,” jubilee secretary Rachel McKay said.
The dinner was being held in a marquee at Aparima College tomorrow night, with the rest of the jubilee at the rugby club.
McKay said attendees were “coming from Australia and Europe to be part of the celebration”.
“We’re blown away by the numbers.” Much of the food for the dinner had been donated by families within the club and those attending were getting value for money from $30 registration packs, including a three-course dinner that was “full of seafood” and estimated to be worth $100, she said.
“We have made it affordable for families because times are tough. It’s not a fundraiser; for us it’s a celebration. Rhe dinner is formal dress, there’s a band playing and there will be some auctions as well.”
The club will have specially labelled wine and beer bottles for the weekend.
“There’s our own logo and a story on the back about why we chose Anzac weekend,” Lonneker said.
The Riverton Senior Cs kick off proceedings with a game tonight, before a Golden Oldies contest tomorrow evening against Blues, with the 1874 trophy up for grabs, and it will re-enact the first-ever game played between the clubs.
“We’re just trying to tie it all in with history,” Lonneker said.
Tomorrow, the Western Banner is up for grabs as they face rivals Waiau Star, while the clubs other teams will play across the three days.
Guest speakers on the night are Mils Muliaina, Amy Rule and Christian Cullen, while Andrew Moreton is the MC for the dinner.
The club currently fields 10 teams and still received great support from sponsors and the community.