OPENING CEREMONY - 'THE EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME' Edwina McLaren Reprinted excerpts from Temora Independent Newspaper (22/9/00)
Steve Davidge is able to look back with satisfaction to the thrilling moment when he rode out into Stadium Australia on his Australian stockhorse, Jindalee Eyeline, as part of the Sydney Olympic Opening Ceremony celebrations.
"The initial sight of the crowd was incredible and the atmosphere was enormous", Steve said. "I was fairly excited about the whole thing".
Steve was one of 120 riders from across eastern Australia to take part in the Man from Snowy River sequence at the beginning of the ceremony.
The original concept for the routine was created by Ignatius Jones. According to Steve, Mr Jones wanted a "bigger and better" routine with 1000 horsemen and women to participate. However the logistics of such an operation within the space of Stadium Australia proved impossible and with the assistance of Tony Jablonski, Mr Jones choreographed a display involving 120 horsemen and women.
After attending the Goulburn tryouts on February 20, Steve was chosen to attend the first of three boot camps of prospective riders for the ceremony. The first two camps were held over four days at Scone.
It was after the first camp in March that Steve was confirmed as one of the participating riders, with 120 riders and 20 reserve riders to continue preparing for the ceremony. Each rider took home a plan of the routine to study before they put it into practice at the second camp held in mid June.
Final preparations for the ceremony were underway from Tuesday September 5, with all the 140 riders converging on the Castle Hill Showground for a 10 day camp.
The first dress rehearsal was on Saturday September 9. "It was our first big adrenaline rush", Steve said "Everyone was fairly excited about it. It's a pretty big ask for the horses to perform in front of crowds of over 100,000", he said.
Steve was positioned right in front of a loud speaker and he ear-plugged Jindalee Eyeline. Each rider had an ear piece with someone talking to them the whole time. "It was mainly to keep everyone calm", Steve said.
The big day came of the opening ceremony and it was a long one for both the horses and riders. After a last rehearsal on Friday morning, the riders travelled into Stadium Australia with their horses. On the way they all practised Advance Australia Fair. When they arrived at the Olympic site, it was a matter of waiting as they sat in the car park for four hours. Steve said the riders took the time to catch up with all the people they had met and swap addresses for the future.
When the moment finally arrived to enter the stadium, Steve was caught up in the excitement of the moment, however he tried to block everything else out as he concentrated on getting everything right. When the riders threw their akubras into the crowd, he said everyone was reaching out to grab one. Steve carried both the Olympic and Australian flags.
"It was a once in a lifetime experience, it won't happen again in my lifetime I'm sure. Everybody we've spoken to said it was the best part of the ceremony", he said.
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STATE NEWS
NSWPA 2000 AGM AND YEARLY COUNCIL MEETING MUSWELLBROOK 11-12 NOVEMBER
The Southern Highlands has a major representation on the NSWPA for the year 2001. Steve Stuart was returned as Senior Vice President and is also a delegate to the PAA. Jenny Jones was also re-elected as State Secretary.
The new NSW Chief Umpire for 2001 is our very own David Sillis. There was a 3-way tussle for this position between David, Colin Parkinson and Graham Bennett.
The Zone wishes to congratulate Jenny, Steve and David on their appointments.
Laughlin Ross (Western Districts) was elected the new Chairman, the position becoming vacant on the retirement of Terry Blake.
A testimonial dinner was held for Terry on the Saturday evening which was attended by about 85 people. There certainly was a depth of polocrosse history in the room that evening, the speeches were very entertaining – and enlightening. It was wonderful to also see both Max Walters (President of the International Polocrosse Council) and Peter Crauford (President of the PAA), together with a number of "Banana Benders" who travelled down especially to honour Terry.
Issues raised at the Yearly Council Meeting
REGIONAL CONCEPT
Northern Region to include Northern New England, North Coast and North West Plains zones.
Central Region to include Hunter Valley, Central West and Western Districts zones.
Southern Region to include Southern Highlands, South West Slopes and South West Riverina zones.
Representatives from each zone/region are to meet before March to formulate a plan. The purpose of the Regional Concept will be to increase the development of the game, increase playing numbers, improve administration and lift the games profile.
Development Officers will be appointed and the idea will be to conduct Regional Championships and a State Wide Regional Final.
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The State Coaching Director, Bill Bleechmore, has spent many hours preparing a handbook for use by Club and Zone Secretaries. The meeting endorsed the handbook and copies will be prepared and distributed prior to the 2001 season.
Affiliation fees to the State have only marginally increased due to the full GST component for the year.
2002 NSW Club Championships - Wagga Wagga 2002 Australian Zone Championships - Berrigan 2002 NSW Zone Championships - Southern Highlands
NSW to hold the Nationals in 2006. Clubs interested in hosting Nationals are to put in proposal/application to State by March Meeting.
NZ Junior Exchange 2001
Congratulations go to Sarah Piper from Lake George who was selected for this tour.
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Toowoomba Show - 29-31 March (Mens) Robert Sibley, Jamie Ross, Brett Woodward, Scott Sneddon, Lance Anderson and Bruce Greenslade Coach: Arch Anderson
Muswellbrook Show - 30-31 March (Int Mixed) Richard Perkins, Chris Anderson, Ben Manwarring, Annabelle Crosby, Casey Cunningham, Alison Mathie. Coach: Morris Donnelly
Sydney Show - date TBA (Senior Mixed) Jamie Grimmond, Will Weston, Ray Davis, Julia Frear, Melissa Hornley, Gail Donnelly Coach: Terry Blake
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Zones are to inform the State Secretary of clubs practice details, locations etc for insurance purposes.
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ZONE NEWS JUNIOR ELITE CAMP 24TH - 29TH APRIL 2001
The National Coaching Director, Karin Stockman, has informed the Zone that the above camp will be held in April next year.
The Zone will be required to supply a total of 30 horses. All horses are to be under the age of 12 and will be fed and insured against death and theft (to the sum of $2,500) for the duration of the camp. They will be yarded at the Canberra Royals grounds. The horses will be required from Tuesday evening 24th April until 4.00 pm on Saturday 28th April.
Club Secretaries gave an undertaking at the Zone meeting on 24th November that their clubs would provide sufficient horses. Please make their job easier by nominating your horse for the camp. Horses must be suitable for junior riders and have a good fitness level. The juniors do a lot of horse training with top level coaches and progress onto advanced tactical play and then simulated games. For further information contact Odette on 6238 2300
ROYAL CANBERRA SHOW 24-25 February 2001 Intermediate Mixed ** Nominations close 15/12/2000 **
Zone members are reminded that nominations are currently open for intermediates interested in competing at the Polocrosse Exhibition Games at next years Royal Canberra Show. The other three zones challenging for the Max Walters Trophy are Central West, South West Slopes and North West Plains. Camping is available at the Canberra Royals grounds and an invitation to dinner is extended to all players and coach/managers. Others are welcome to attend at a small charge. If you are interested in nominating, please contact your club secretary ASAP as nominations close with Zone Secretary at 5pm on Friday 15th December.
Zone and State Meeting Dates for 2001
SHPSA 30 March - Committee Meeting 15 June - Committee Meeting 28 September - AGM & Committee Meeting 16 November - Committee Meeting
NSWPA 3 March - P&D & Committee Meetings - Dubbo 4 March - Half Yearly Council Meeting - Dubbo 27-28 October - AGM & Yearly Council Meeting
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MASTERS GAMES GOLD COAST - QLD 27/28/29 OCTOBER 2000
A small contingency of people from the Southern Highlands headed for the Gold Coast for the Asia Pacific Games to compete in the polocrosse competition.
The team playing in the over 50's competition comprised Graham Spackman (Berrima), Jim Davidge (Temora), Neville Gilpin (Moss Vale), Bob Fitzgerald (Jugiong), Tiger Hunter (Bribaree) and Kevin Bradford (Harden).
Wives, partners and Jim Boatwright from Wagga accompanied the team generally enjoying the relaxed atmosphere.
The team played two games on the Friday, one on Saturday and made their way into the final against a Queensland team defeating them to take out the Gold Medal. Graham Spackman took out the Best Player Award in the Over 50's division and also the best player overall. Neville Gilpin took out the award for the "Best Legs"!!! Margaret Wheatley, who was playing with a northern team, took out the award for the "Most Mature Player"!!
Many thanks to Chris and Christine Franklin. Also Les Eames for their help and for the smooth running of a great few days.
Australia 
