Author Talk Mark Gasnier

Mark Gasnier, the legendary St George - Illawarra Dragons player is coming to Hurstville Library and will share highlights from his life and career and introduce his recently released autobiography Gaz.

He is regarded as one of the best players in the game in recent years, playing at Club, State of Origin and International levels. With a Rugby League immortal as an uncle, there was always going to be a high level of expectation surrounding Mark Gasnier. He scored over 100 tries in his Rugby League career, and won that elusive premiership with the Dragons in 2010.

Mark is also a contributor to the recipe book Footy Flavours a collection of delcious dishes from favourite Rugby League stars.

This is a great opportunity for all Dragons fans and sports lovers to meet one of the club's most popular players.

Copies of Gaz and and Footy Flavours will be available for sale and signing.

Hurstville Library

cnr Queens Rd & Dora St, Hurstville

Wednesday 29 August @ 7pm

BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL 9330 6142

Caring For Your Sporting Memorabilia

The Royal Agricultural Society Challenge Shield. Photo: Dragi Markovic, National Museum of Australia

Visitors to our recent exhibition League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia will be interested in this article by the National Museum of Australia's conservation team. It gives you some tips on how to care for all types of sporting memorabilia, including trophies, medallions, textiles, photographs and paper.

You can also read more about rugby league treasures in The Trophy Cabinet, an article by Curator Guy Hansen from the League of Legends catalogue . The League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia catalogue is available for loan at Hurstville City Library and Penshurst Branch Library.

Forget the Super League Wars!

The Museum & Gallery was luck enough to secure PhD candidate Katherine Haines to give a talk on Sunday 4th December on The Story of the NSW Ladies Rugby Football League, 1921. Kath had visitors enthralled with her story of the historic match between the Metropolitan Blues and the Sydney Reds, and the efforts of these women to begin their own rugby league competition. Though the NSW Rugby League was initially supportive, the politics of the ensuing debate was enough to rival that of any of the issues in the contemporary NRL. Thanks to Kath for volunteering her time give this fascinating presentation! You can read more about Kath's research here.

Arthur Beetson 1945-2011

Arthur Beetson passed away suddenly yesterday. He played 221 first grade games for Redcliffe, Balmain, Hull, Eastern Suburbs and Parramatta. He also coached Easts, Recliffe and Cronulla. He was also captain of Queensland in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980 (Queensland beat New South Wales 20-10. Some would argue that not much has changed since) and is rightly regarded as one of the best props in Australian rugby league history.

Beetson also was one of seven Rugby League immortals. Up there with the likes of Churchill, Fulton, Gasnier, Langlands, Raper and Lewis. As such, we may not see his like again. 

Want to relive some of Artie's greatest exploits? Hurstville Library has a range of items on the history of rugby league. Also the museum currently has an exhibit, League of Legends: 100 years of Rugby League in Australia which runs until December 18.

A century of rugby league jerseys talk

The phrase 'blood and bandages' refers to the St George Dragon's circa 1920s - 1940s heritage jersey. Hurstville City Museum & Gallery will be hosting a talk by rugby league historian and author Sean Fagan on the evolution of rugby league jerseys from 1908 to the present day. Sean's illustrated presentation will look at the development of jersey designs and styles with a focus on the Sydney clubs, and draws on his extensive research into the history of the game in Australia. Sean will also look at the history and symbolism of the iconic St George Illawarra jersey.

When: Sunday 6 November, 3pm - 4pm
Where: Hurstville City Museum & Gallery, 14 MacMahon St Hurstville
Details: free event, all welcome, tea and coffee provided
Bookings: 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au

Why not come early and view our current exhibition League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia?

You can also borrow Sean's books, The Rugby Rebellion: the divide of League and Union, and The Master: the life and times of Dally Messenger, at Hurstville City Library.

Got Rugby League Fever?

If you've got rugby league pumping through your veins then you won't want to miss the next exhibition at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery. League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia is a photographic exhibition developed and presented by the National Museum of Australia. Relive the moments, remember the legends and discover the history of the game through a collection of photograph documenting 100 years of rugby league in Australia.

Also on show will be a display looking at the history of the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Rugby League fans of all creed are invited to attend the exhibition opening on Saturday 29 October at 11:00am at 14 MacMahon St, Hurstville. All welcome, light refreshments provided. Please RSVP by Friday 28 October on 9330 6444 or museumgallery@hurstville.nsw.gov.au. Get into the spirit of the day and wear your team colours!

League of Legends: 100 Years of Rugby League in Australia is on display at Hurstville City Museum & Gallery from 29 October - 18 December 2011

Cracking the Footy Codes

It's that time of year when the days grow shorter and nights grow colder. And that can only mean one time. Yep, the footy season's back!



So, if you find yourself an outcast in your social circle because you don't know the difference between a Steeden and a Sherrin, or between a Swan, a Socceroo, a Dragon and a Wallaby (and exactly what was Cazaly doing "up there") then may I commend Mr Tony Squires excellent volume Cracking the Footy Codes: a beginners guide to AFL, League, Union and Football. Squires' is an eminent authority of these matters, being not only the main sports presenter on the Channel 7 news, but has also (according to the cover blurb) played footy, refereed footy, written, talked about and cried over footy (as a a fellow St. George tragic I have some sympathy with that last bit). This book explains in simple terms the four footballs codes in Australia and is full of all sorts of interesting trivia to impress your friends with.

Recommended for both novices and tragics alike.