A Passion For History & South Sydney – Mark Emery From Gerroa
Hi my name is Mark Emery. I was born and bred in a little town on the South Coast called Gerroa. In terms of things most important to me, my family comes way out in front as #1. I also have a passion for history and South Sydney.
I am unusual as a Souths supporter as I have never lived in the Souths district and have no connection there. My family have never played football, nor have they any interest in rugby league, all being cricketers.
I Had To Support Souths
I became a Souths supporter in 1969 because the Year 6 kids told me I had to be one. In 1970 I remember watching the replay of the match of the day on the ABC on Sunday night and reading the results in the Sun-Herald on Sunday morning.
The Big Moment
In 1971, the big moment came when a teacher told me to make a scrapbook with different parts of newspaper as an assignment. I had to have a news piece, TV, stars, etc. Of course I wanted a Souths article for the sports page. Just then, Souths lost three games in a row in 1971! Finally, just before it was due, Souths beat Norths 40-7.
It was the start of 50 years of collecting.
Most of my collection is paper oriented, newspapers, programs, magazines and the like but I have a number of badges and cards.
have a number of badges and cards.
A lot of my collection has come from places like eBay, but some wonderful items have come from people who are happy to give them to somebody who will look after them as they are quite elderly. I suppose such a thing will come to me as well.
I would love to share the stories contained in the collection too, in the words of Russell Crowe, honour the history, traditions and past players of the South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club.
A Passion For History & South Sydney.
By Mark Emery for Bunnies TV.
Good on you Mark , I agree with all that you have said , it is a passion. All the best for collecting in the future , Go the Bunnies !
Thank you Larry. I liken it to being hooked on Ice!
Fantastic post Mark, as a younger-than-you bunnies fan this stuff is fascinating to me.
Thank you for that. I hope I can give you some more interesting stories.
I have an old Souths Sydney Metal frame cushion bench seat. These used to fit over the wooden slats that you would sit on
It was my nans.
If you reply I’ll send photo.
Want to see what it’s worth just to know. Very loved.
Thanks Baldwin. I would love to see it. It is hard to put a figure on the value of items like that as they are so rare. If I can I will post an article about women supporters at Redfern in 1967. They were all in love with ‘Cuddles’ Eric Simms. Your nan might have been one of them.