Celebrating a great

Navy takes a kick in what would prove to be an exciting game against the QLD Masters, Navy losing by just one goal.

Photo: ABPH Yuri Ramsey

The Navy team with Bill McBride’s sister, Linda, in the centre.

Photo: ABPH Yuri Ramsey

Jesse Green, Bill’s nephew.

Photo: ABPH Yuri Ramsey

The memory of the late RAN photographer PO Bill McBride lived on last month with the staging of a lively Aussie Rules football carnival in Brisbane which saw the Navy team go down by less than a goal.

Bill died in April this year as he prepared to retire from the Navy and move to Western Australia to counsel and guide young people with drug and alcohol problems.

A mixed Navy team, including several members of the Air Force, Army and Bill’s 17-year old nephew Jesse Green, donned playing strips to take on the Queensland Masters.

A 723 Squadron helicopter (SBLT Chris Smith and S Jason Wikman) delivered the match ball and commemorative coin for the toss.

The RAN Band Queensland Detachment led by WOMUSN “Shina” Wright stirred the crowd with Up There Cazaly, while the umpires, officials and dignitaries assembled for the playing of the Last Post (ABMUSN Dave Coit).

In what was a tight and hard fought match, the Navy team started strongly straight from the centre bounce. Navy’s CPO Norm Barnes kicked the first goal from the forward pocket followed by two more to take the lead at the first break.

The lead see-sawed over the four quarters with the final result coming down to the last kick of the game. The Navy team was down five points with a free kick awarded 15m out, directly in front.

Taken by CMDR Tony Roper RANR, he unfortunately missed (everything) and the final score read Masters 8.8.56 to Navy 7.9.51.

Jesse Green played with the Navy in the first half wearing the number 13 jersey, significant because it was the number Bill wore when he played football.

Jesse then swapped and played for the Masters in the second half and was subsequently awarded the best on ground for the Masters team.

A torn hamstring for PO Ian Gordon in the first minute of the game and a knee injury to PO Ken Mellowship in the second half were the only injuries for the Navy team.

A visual display with photos Bill and video footage of the Navy, shown on a large screen prior the after-match presentations, was moving and emotional tribute.

Navy players on the day were LSAT Kim Perring, LSBM Mathew Burke, LCDR Chris Luscombe (captain), CPOAT Barry Trapp, POMT Ian Gordon, LSBM Basil Mundraby, POPT Ken Mellowship, CPOMT Matt Canning, CPOWTR David Matters (vice-captain), AB David Little, POCSS Mark Vella, WOMT Peter Stephens, LSSN Stephen Davy, WOPT Bob Jeffreys, CPOMT Norm Barnes, CMDR Tony Roper.

Coach was WO Bob Jeffreys, Manager WO Peter Stephens, Asst Coach CPO David Matters and Runner CPO Paul Rosewarne.

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