Rick Trewavas, Jakarta Garudas (sic) and Tony Morwood
Posted by Vietnam Swans on August 10, 2010
Aussie Rules in Jakarta, 1993/4. Rick, second from right, was the field umpire. Son, Angus was boundary. Bill Cherry and Dick Willing were goal umps
You will recall that Rick Trewavas’ cousin, Bruce Tamagno, recently wrote to the Vietnam Swans giving us more of an insight into Rick (click here for article). Among other things, Bruce mentioned Rick’s involvement with footy in Indonesia and the Jakarta Garudas (sic). Rick now puts the record straight.
“Bruce There”, my cousin and geographer of note who answers the phone with “Bruce Here”, is somewhat confused in his reference to the Garudas. He also has poor taste in photo selection that appeared on your website. (It may be of interest to know that the photo was taken in Amiens, our base for the 90th ANZAC anniversary Dawn Service at Villers – Bretenoux and I had been in a good paddock for sometime). I digress.
Before the Jakarta Bintangs established themselves, there were efforts to get an Aussie Rules Association up and going. In 1982-83 we had a footy tipping competition going – things were tough. Results by telex on Monday mornings, two week waits for newspapers/betamax videos, Radio Australia etc etc – which I invariably won through cheating. Unfortunately, apart from a kick in the ‘park’, we suffered from a lack of numbers to organise anything else.
As a concerned parent, (concerned that my son would be deprived of his cultural heritage), I started an Aussie Rules elective at the British International School, Permata Hijau campus, in 1988 that saw out a season or two. In 1992, we hosted a Grand Final BBQ in the backyard at Bangka Raya which established JARS – the Jakarta Aussie Rules Society whose priority charter was the enjoyment of the game without necessarily playing – we think that may be the forerunner of today’s gala Grand Final affair.
We backed up in 1993-94 at Country Woods Estate and, in addition, actually played an Australia Day game under the auspices of ANZA and under lights at ISCI (International Sports Club of Indonesia) between the North Jakarta Wombats and the Jakarta South Possums. It was brilliantly umpired by myself with a drawn result.
The attached photo features myself as the central adjudicator, Bill Cherry and Dick Willing as goal umpires and my son Angus as boundary ump (Angus is about to present us with our first grandchild in Feb 2011).
The Jakarta Bintangs’ website (click ) makes reference to efforts in 1993 to widen the impact of JARS and also notes our exhortations to ATVI. The rest is history as they say.
I left Jakarta in Dec 94 and the likes of Ken Allan et al (I am embarrassed to admit little recall of other names, although face images will never disappear) did a much better job in establishing Aussie Rules as a mainstream expat activity. Another friend of that time now runs a fully fledged comp for indigenous juniors in the wilds of Java and some of the kids run round in Broadbeach and Southport (QAFL) jumpers that we sent up last year.
Bruce There confuses his experience of the national flag (merah dan putih – red and white - which has obvious attractions for Trewavas family members) at Country Woods Estate where he visited on occasion and he went one further and substituted “Garuda” for “Swan” in the recesses of his mind, a fair conclusion in its time.
I trust this clears up Bruce’s reference to Garudas and red and white stuff.
I am pleased that the Swans got a gig in Hanoi and therein rests my allegiance with some appreciable sentiment for the modern day Bintangs.
Footnote: Yesterday Rick emailed the Vietnam Swans about meeting the Sydney Swans’ Tony Morwood last week. Tony invited the Vietnam Swans, Vietnam Veterans and Southern Dragons to a recent Sydney Swans function at the MCG (click here for story):
The Vietnam Swans t-shirt has arrived. Many thanks, it shall be worn with pride.
I went to the Gold Coast Swans Supporters Annual Lunch, Friday last. Had a short chat with Tony Morwood and he was obviously very pleased to be associated with the Vietnam Swans.
On his way back to Steak and Kidney he was probably wondering who was the bloke drinking the red wine and muttering about some BOG (Rick Trewavas) Medal Swans v Cobras! (click here for story).
Yours in Footy, Rick
Tony Griffiths said
Where can I get in contact with Rick. he coached me in the 70s
Rick Trewavas said
Tony, tried the email address forwarded to me. Bounced just like you used to.