May 21, 2018
Murgon’s Royal Hotel was packed to the rafters last Thursday night to welcome three NRL legends back to the South Burnett.
Former rugby league greats Steve Renouf, Bryan Niebling and Trevor Gillmeister had come to town to help the Murgon Business and Development Association (MBDA).
And much to the delight of the 100 guests who paid $60 a head for a three course dinner with the trio, they brought the State of Origin Shield with them.
The aim of the dinner was to help the MBDA recoup some of the losses racked up by the past two rained-out Murgon Christmas Carnivals, as well as ensure the popular Christmas event will come back to the town again this year.
But the one thing uppermost in most people’s minds was the rare opportunity to share an intimate evening with three top sportsmen, and hear their often amusing “behind the scenes” stories about life at the top of rugby league.
Renouf and Niebling are no strangers to Murgon – both grew up in the town and played for the Murgon Mustangs.
Steve married his wife Lis at Murgon’s Uniting Church in 1990, and in 2013 a garden of Black Pearl roses was planted outside Murgon Town Hall in his honour.
But Trevor Gillmeister (“Gilly” to his friends) has also been to the South Burnett several times over the years, and he seemed just as relaxed as “The Black Pearl” and “Horse” when he took his turn on the microphone.
MBDA spokesman Mark Smith said getting the three men together at the dinner was as much about good luck as good management.
Royal Hotel licencees Mark and Jen McDonald had arranged for Gilly to pay a visit some time ago; but when the MBDA lined up the other two, the McDonalds and MBDA decided to join forces and turn on a bumper night.
Guests came from all over the region to attend, including former South Burnett Mayor Wayne Kratzmann who travelled from the Bunya Mountains; former councillor Cheryl Dalton, who came from Wooroolin; and Deputy Mayor Kathy Duff, who came from Boondooma.
On Saturday, Mark said the sold-out dinner had raised an estimated $6000 for the committee, less costs, and he was very pleased with way everything worked out.
“This was one of the best nights of entertainment seen in Murgon for many years,” Mark said.
“Steve, Bryan and Gilly were very generous with their time, and we can’t thank them enough for stepping in to help.”
[Photos: Mark Smith and Kathy Duff]
