The Bungool Picnic Story

Here is Cowan’s description of what happened when the players were given the news that their pay would be “short”:

We decided to go ahead with the picnic and pay the players half their contracts in the hope that we would be able to pay more later. When I turned up at the picnic, I found I was the only person from the football committee there. Everyone else, including Cartwright and the club’s president, had suddenly found they were unable to attend. It was up to me to explain to the players.

Most were OK with it, until it came to a player called Billy Tonkin. He was a terrific football player – big, tough, strong – and I’m sitting down. Billy’s next in line, and I say, “Bill, I can only give you half your money.”

Billy growls, “Yeah, Cowan, bullshit! You write my cheque out.”

I say, “Bill, I can only give you half.”

” Write the cheque for the full amount”, says Bill in a very menacing tone, leaning across the table.

The next bloke in the queue is Cec Reddy, who used to play hooker for us. Cec was only slightly built but he was a real pug. He used to box in the ring. Some people used to joke that he should sell advertising on the soles of his shoes.

Cec walks up to Bill and says, “Look, he said he can’t pay you, so leave him alone”. These two proceeded to have a big argument across the picnic area, but in the end, Bill did accept his half pay.

Max’s Notes

Bungool was the venue for the annual Christmas picnic for members and their families – the picnic grounds were on the site where Riverside Oaks Golf Resort is located.

I can recall our family going to to these Christmas picnics. There was great anticipation among the kids – aside from the loads of sugar dished out on the day, Santa Claus would arrive with a gift for all the members’ children. Great days.

The drive there and back seemed very long. The Club’s monthly magazine published directions for members to follow – see the image to the right, it’s a long way from how we find our way around these days.

I imagine the end-of-season event would have had quite a different atmosphere to the Christmas picnic. 

When I first read the sory Roger related above, I was sure it was around the 1964 or 1965 season – certainly pre-1967. Despite being quite young at the time, I can remember Roger coming home and expressing great frustration at what he was experiencing in the football club – I’m certain this was one of those times. It happened quite a bit, so it is hard to place them in time.

Anyway, this either happened in 1967 – Penrith’s first year in the major competition – or Roger has mixed up the player who was adamant about getting paid.

Bill Tonkin (pictured right) was signed to play for Penrith in 1967. He is Player #11 and played in our opening game against Canterbury-Bankstown. Bill played 18 1st grade games in his two seasons (1967-8), scored 2 tries and kicked a goal for a total of 8 points. He was a lock forward who’d previously played for Balmain, Wests, and Souths.

If Roger’s memory is right, and it was Bill Tonkin being insistent, then this must have happened in 1967 or 1968.

Whatever the case, being incapable of paying the players was an indictment on those charged with managing the football budget.

Their failure to turn up and face the out-of-pocket players was cowardice.