There was a fair bit going on – off the field – during last Friday’s big rugby match between the Waratahs and a NSW Pacifica side at Campbelltown Showground.
Campbelltown Harlequins rugby club, who have called Campbelltown Showground home for much of their 50 year existence, weren’t permitted to charge an entry fee for the match.
At the same time, they could not let the opportunity to help one of their own who is doing it tough pass them by.
Club stalwart Teddy Thomson, both as a player and committee man, has been diagnosed with cancer, and current club president Col Packer made sure there was some fundraising for Teddy.
As well as asking those attending the game to make a donation, a raffle was run, with a signed Waratahs jumper the prize.
Michael Duffy, an old club supporter, drew the raffle.
His son, Patrick Duffy, and current major sponsor of the Harlequins, checked his tickets when the winning number was announced, and guess what: he had won the prize.
Without hesitation, the younger Duffy decided to donate the Waratahs jumper back to the club so they could give it to Teddy Thomson and cheer him up a little more.
And that’s exactly what happened straight after the match finished.
Mayor George Greiss joined Duffy, Mr Thomson and Col Packer for the presentation, captured in our photo above.
Watching all these gestures of generosity from the side just made one feel bloody proud to be a Campbelltonian.
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We really can’t wait for this Friday night’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony in front of the council building in Queen Street.
Mayor George Greiss will do the honours around 8pm.
The tree is said to be “huge’’ at almost 10 metres tall, so it should be quite something.
We really don’t remember when was the last time there was such a pointed focus on Christmas in Campbelltown.
Apparently, Mayor Greiss is determined that Campbelltown will celebrate Christmas in a big way this year – as befits the biggest local government area in the Macarthur region.
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Earlier in the evening this Friday, starting at 4.30pm, the mayor and many other notable locals will be in the Campbelltown arts centre for one of the biggest corporate parties of the season.
No doubt many of the guests at the Marsdens Christmas party will be making a dash up Queen Street to watch the mayor turn on the lights.
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A big pat on the back for long time Minto resident Matt Spalding, who has received a Football NSW State Award for his volunteer service over more than 25 years.
Mr Spalding is a great servant of two local soccer clubs, Minto Stingers and Macarthur Rams men’s and women’s programs.
He has held many roles, including registrar, equipment officer, player, coach and manager – and continues to serve.
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This Saturday night another exciting event is slated for the Campbelltown arts centre, the screening of Christmess, the big screen film shot in and around this neck of the woods.
The showing coincides with the national release of the film.
So far Christmess has received very good reviews.
If you haven’t got your tickets yet for the 6pm screening (followed by a Q&A) visit https://events.humanitix.com/christmess-screening-plus-q-and-a
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This large new tree planted at the Beersheba Memorial at Menangle Park really stands out and hard to miss by anyone driving past it.
The memorial honours the Light Horse Regiments that trained at Menangle Park and their role in the Battle of Beersheba during World War I.
The large California Palm tree was planted by Campbelltown City Council staff and is a similar species to the trees used by the soldiers for shade.
