INDIGENOUS LEGENDS OF RUGBY LEAGUE
STATE LIBRARY OF NSW EXHIBITION

"This free display contains a stirring collection of the Library’s sporting memorabilia to illustrate the inspirational role of Australia’s greatest Indigenous footballers."
State Library of NSW

Kevin Longbottom (Souths 1961-69) Image courtesy of State Library of NSW

From Tigers to Rabbitohs and donning the green and gold jersey, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have played an integral part in rugby league’s colourful history.

As part of NAIDOC Week (6-13 July 2008), the State Library of NSW is celebrating their contribution in the game’s centennial year with a new boutique display, from 6 July.

Indigenous league legends is a stirring collection of original items illustrating the inspirational role of Australia’s greatest Indigenous footballers which is believed to have started with Grafton’s enigmatic George Green in 1909 (who played in Sydney for Easts 1909-11 and Norths 1912-1922).

The display was created by the State Library’s two Indigenous Librarians, Melissa Jackson and Ronald Briggs, who have tackled the Library’s extensive collection of sporting memorabilia to kick this story into
life.

“Legendary players like Eric Simms, Eric Robinson and Arthur Beetson just leapt out of the Library’s collection with incredibly powerful hero images on promotional posters, programs and collectors cards” says co-curator Melissa Jackson.

As rugby league novices, Melissa and Ron discovered an amazing collection of material and some incredible links to today’s game. The former South Sydney Rabbitoh Eric Robinson, who played in the
1960s, has three grandsons on the field; most notable is Nathan Merritt who plays for the same team, in the same position as his grandad.

In fact, today’s game features more than 10% of players with
Indigenous heritage.

Among the treasures uncovered by the two librarians was the incredible and rarely-seen collection of Scanlen bubble-gum cards.

“We were amazed to discover these graphic cards which immortalised the league players in strong action poses. They were sold with a stick of Scanlen gum from the 1960s to the 80s and, because of their increasing rarity and sentimental value, they are a highly sought after collectors item,” said Melissa.

There are many wonderful sporting moments captured within the display, including the clash of the brothers Lin and Dick Johnson. They took to the field in 1941 and 1942, pitted against one another in the annual City-Country game. They were a spectator favourite. In 1942, Dick went on to represent NSW against the Queenslanders, while Lin’s team, Canterbury Bankstown, won the grand final on his wobbly conversion of a penalty.

Indigenous league legends is a free boutique display in the State Library’s Mitchell Reading Room, Foyer Cases, Macquarie Street, Sydney (open until 20 July 2008).

Information: (02) 9273 1414, www.sl.nsw.gov.au

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