Job Opportunity
Location: Woollongabba (need own transport)
Duties: office based - filing, typing answering calls
Start: Saturday 05/3/2022
If you are interested please reach out to me asap (need to know by 2pm Friday).
Contact Ryan on 07 3023 1079
Vale Gavan Horsley
Gavan Horsely has passed away at the age of 89 whilst living in Perth.
A GPS life member, Gavan will forever be Wallaby #407.
Rest in peace, Gavan.
Classic Wallabies Biography
Gavan Horsley was a strongly built, flying three-quarter who had the misfortune for his representative career to coincide with that of two magnificent Wallaby wingers in Eddie Stapleton and Garth Jones. A prolific try scorer and solid defender, Horsley’s surf lifesaver physique was more suited to the centres rather than the wing.
It was in the water that Horsley first came to prominence. An outstanding junior beltman, Horsley joined the Burleigh Heads life saving club. In 1950, aged 17, he bravely rescued club mate Leo Ryan who was attacked by a shark and in the process lost a hand. Horsley swam out with a belt and although the shark continued to circle, rescued Ryan. The Royal Humane Society awarded Horsley a silver medal for his effort.
Horsley played his club rugby to GPS after he graduated from ‘Churchie’ and made his representative debut for Queensland in 1952, aged just 19. Early the following year Horsley emerged a strong chance of selection for the Wallaby tour to South Africa after he was selected to play for The Rest in the final trial against ‘Australia’. Horsley was selected for the tour, played in 12 matches, and scored a team high 14 tries but missed out to Jones and Stapleton for the Tests.
The following year, Horsley injured the ligaments in his left ankle when he played for Queensland against Fiji. Nonetheless he was named in the centres to make his Test debut in Brisbane but eventually withdrew because of the ankle injury. Three weeks later Horsley was again selected at centre however right winger Eddie Stapleton was controversially dropped because he failed to attend training three days before the second Test. As a consequence reserve back Herb Barker was promoted to centre and Horsley shifted to the right wing for his Test debut in Sydney. Unfortunately it was a game of few opportunities for the outside backs and ended on a sour note with a disputed penalty that allowed Fiji to convert the decisive penalty goal.
Horsley played one further season with Queensland and ended his playing career at just 22 to devote his time to a career that took him to Malaysia, Melbourne and later to Perth. He maintained an interest in rugby and in 1971 became a State and Australian selector.
Gavan Horsley played one Test for Australia and will forever be Wallaby #407.
Ashes GABBA Test - Day 3 Corporate Box Auction
Height 4 Hire, GPS Rugby’s Principal Partner has kindly donated for auction an open air box on Day 3 of the Brisbane Ashes series at The Gabba.
10 seats in your own box, Friday the 10th December.
Includes
Entry and seating for 10 people
Hirers gift
$1800 food & Drinks voucher
3 complete sessions of Test Cricket – The Ashes battle begins
Play starts at 10.00 am and no work the following day to recover.
Bidding will be spirited and all proceeds go to GPS Rugby Club.
Reserve - $3800
Thanks to Ken Baker for your ongoing support of our great club
Auction Link - https://www.32auctions.com/organizations/54233/auctions/114328/auction_items/3346508