Eugowra's Centenary of Rugby
League celebrations culminated with the premiere of Andrew Barnes'
film "And Everyone's A Star", documenting the remarkable
history of the Eugowra club.
Featuring vision of
Australian rugby league greats Ian Walsh and Barry Beath the
film received a standing ovation at the Eugowra Community Hall on Saturday
evening.
"It was ten months of
hard work and it has come to fruition," said Barnes who produced,
wrote and directed the historical masterpiece.
"The story is so unique
and it is classical example of the impact not only rugby league but sport in
general can have on small country towns."
The documentary was a debut
effort for Barnes', but it certainly won't be his last. The
26-year-old is already working on two similar projects. Next in line
is a documentary on Group 11 club Dubbo Macquarie as the
Raiders celebrate their 50th birthday then he heads into Group 10
territory, where one of the Oberon Tigers document their rich
history.
Also part of the town's
centenary celebration was a special ceremony recognising the
historical significance of Eugowra Sports Ground, the club
was presented with an Australian Rugby League centenary
plaque honouring its the record breaking run in the 1960s.
Presented by inspirational
Eugowrarian Trent Tulloch, the plaque was accepted by Beath and Walsh
who were both personally acknowledged on the brass monument.
The plaque reads, "Rugby league was first played in Eugowra in the years
following World War I. The town won five consecutive Group 11 premierships
(1963-67), a record for the Group. Two players were selected to represent Australia while
playing for Eugowra: hooker Ian Walsh (1959-61) and second-rower Barry Beath
(1965)."
Eugowra Sports Ground has
joined some of the nation's most famous sporting venues as a
recipient of a commemorative centenary of
rugby league plaque.
Sydney and Melbourne Cricket
Grounds, ANZ and Suncorp Stadiums are just a few of the more prominent
recipients of the ARL monument.
Oberon Sports Ground is the
next Western Region stop for the nationwide ARL plaques program.
"And Everyone's A
Star” can be purchased by emailing Andrew Barnes on andrew_barnes5@bigpond.com
