
Issue No 57		09 June 2000

LaborNET	Ask Neale	Tool of the Week

The Locker Room

George Piggins on Red and Green Day

As the landmark court case looms, the South Sydney legend outlines the community campaign building in support of the Rabbitohs.

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What can I say? It was the night of nights last Saturday when the wonderful Lebanese community of Sydney came out in support of the People's Team.

Yes, it was the Lebanese community's way of expressing their support for our cause, which they know is just and right.

These fantastic people put on a night to remember and the 400 people who attended the sell out dinner at the Monterey Function Centre at Bankstown not only had the times of their lives, but also managed to raise $50,000 for the Souths ighting fund.

It was so uplifting as co-host Dr Jim Lahood, my great mate and magnificent Souths supporter introduced former Souths legends to the stage. People such as Jack Rayner, Bernie Purcell, Clem Kennedy, Bob McCarthy, Ron Coote, Gary Stevens, Wayne Stevens, Ivan Jones, Les Davidson, Craig Coleman and Tricky Trindall.

According to Tugger, "I didn't have one drink, yet I had the best time I've ever had in my life".

And Tricky was no shrinking violet either as he danced the traditional Lebanese dance until about 2 o'clock in the morning.

Jim Lahood spoke most eloquently about the tradition of Souths and what the Club means to us and we all sang our anthem Glory, Glory to South Sydney.

It was a night where inhibitions were left behind as even I, a bloke with two left feet, got up and proudly danced with my Lebanese brothers and sisters in their traditional style.

And what a thrill to see people of the ilk of Brett Kenny, Mark Laurie and the Lebanese whiz kid Hasam El Masri turn up and actually puchase tickets.

Everything about the night was overwhelming to me, including Joe Younis paying more than $7,000 for a signed print of Bob McCarthy taking that famous intercept against Canterbury. It seems he went to school with Bob.

And I've got to thank my good friend Arthur Correy for the Canterbury jersey and the people at the Bulldogs' table, not just for their show of solidarity, but also for spending about $8,000 on the night.

To the organising committee, Jim Lahood, his co-host Norm Nicholas, Anali and Peter Basha, Ray Basha, Jim Hanna, Richard Younis and Joe Moubara: I salute you all.

You are my type of people: loyal, determined, dedicated and unafraid to stand up against the odds.

You have proven that it is in adversity that real heroes are made and all of you are heroes in my book.

It just goes to show that the headline last Sunday in the Sun Herald acclaiming Souths as "The People's Team" is correct.

Next month the Greek community is holding a similar function at the Barclay Lounge in Rockdale. Tickets are available by downloading the order form from this web-site just check out the Events section), for only $50.00 each

The support for Souths knows no racial or religious barriers and it occurred to me that if the whole world supported Souths, there would be no wars.

I've never seen anything in this country that has gathered so many disparate people to fight for a common cause.

As you are all aware by now, Tuesday June 12 marks the start of our life and death battle in the Federal Court.

We have declared that day Red & Green Day. We are asking everyone who supports the cause to purchase for $2 a red and green ribbon from our club at Redfern or from any Newspower Newsagent throughout the State.

We will also be holding a supporters breakfast on June 13 at the South Sydney Leagues Club from 6.00am to 10.00am. Everyone is welcome.

So the time we have all been waiting for is upon us. It's bigger than any of the 20 grand finals we've won since 1908. We are going into court armed to the teeth in a fight to the death.

With the support of the people, which we know we have, our chances of getting justice are second to none.

So let's all stick together, wear our ribbons on Red & Green Day and shout in one voice....

Come on the Rabbitohs!

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  Issue 57 contents

Interview: Cocky Labor
On the eve of State Conference, Country Labor convenor Tony Kelly outlines how Labor is stealing the ground from under the National Party's feet.

Economics: Millenium Work Ethics - A New Social Partnership?
The future of work in the twenty-first century will be both provocative and challenging, according to Professor Russell Lansbury.

Politics: Extracting the Digit
Labor's federal communications spokesman Stehpen Smith outlines the Party's position on the controversial datacasting legislation currently before Parliament.

History: Hot Off the Press
Check out what's in the latest issue of Labour History - A Journal of Labour and Social History,

International: The East Timor of Africa
Nobel laureate Jose Ramos Horta will this week tell a Sydney audience of the parallels between East Timor and the nation described as the last colony in Africa - the Western Sahara.

Environment: MUA Snail Men Honoured
Brisbane wharfies Lehi Munday and Mal Monro look an unlikely Watson and Sherlock double, but their keen detective work has helped win the Southern Queensland MUA Branch two national environment awards.

Satire: Howard Says 'Sorry'
In a startling apology to the Aboriginal community, Prime Minister John Howard said last night he was deeply sorry that he turned up to the Corroboree 2000 celebrations.

Review: Front Stage and Pulp Fiction
The Waterfront War has made the transition from industrial showdown to cultural icon. Now it's inspiring artists.

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