Charters Towers Knackered Bulls
- submitted by Ruth Landsberg

Our team, Charters Towers Knackered Bulls, are well travelled and have attended many festivals, and for me personally, it was our 7th Festival. We have always enjoyed ourselves, and our team has had its stalwarts, but we were all getting older! It was practically a team of red & gold shorts with the odd splash of purple. Made passing the ball difficult!

So for the Perth festival we made a drive for new younger people to join the team given that some of our senior citizens had dropped off or sadly passed away.

We were a team of 28 for Perth, and 14 were newbies! It was with trepidation for me as team manager how this would turn out, particularly as I had paired up couples and singles in 2-bedroom apartments for a week who didn’t even know each other!

But it was amazing! Not only did the team gel from the first night, but they grew closer as the week went on, particularly as they got to know our team culture and antics, and the ‘newbies’ totally embraced with enthusiasm the Golden Oldies culture as well. Given that some of them were still playing club rugby, they played the games with grace and respect for the older citizens on the field, but still had fun. Combined with staying at the Mantra on Hay, who were so helpful, friendly and provided the BEST breakfasts, it really was a fabulous week to remember from our future rocking chairs.

I put it out to our team for comments:

“Perth Golden Oldies was my first Golden Oldies Festival and certainly won’t be my last. A great time with great humans who I look forward to seeing again in Singapore 2025.” Chris Caleo

“It was our first Golden Oldies Festival. After playing Rugby for 30 plus years I was looking for a little ‘life after Rugby’. We had such an amazing time meeting new team members and new players and their partners in general that we left Perth eagerly awaiting a date and destination for the next Golden Oldies in 2025. Bring on Singapore, we can't wait!” Aaron Lankford & Bin Chook aka Ingrid Huisman

“Perth was a great introduction to Golden Oldies World Rugby Festivals. We loved the balance of GO activities and free time. There was plenty to see and do within walking distance and the free buses allowed us to travel a little further with ease. We have not had that much fun in years!! We are not travellers and have rarely ventured outside our home state, but now we can’t wait for Singapore!” Karen & Charlie Hurlock

“Perth was my first GO for many years and I was not disappointed. Travelling with old friends from the Knackered Bulls (Charters Towers) we were well looked after. Events were well run, the fields were just down the road from our accommodation and the camaraderie was the same as always- outstanding. We are already booked for Singapore and so looking forward to catching up with old friends and making many new ones.” Ian Martineau

“Highlight for me with Perth was the wonderful venue for our picnic day, show casing the delicious food and wine Western Australia has to offer. Also, the proximity to playing fields from our accommodation.” Anne Mason

“The Knackered Bulls are missing a few, but I reckon they're all together!
They've headed west and have ended up down on the Swan River
Last sighting was Langley Park, and they brought their footy gear.
End of the week they are looking weary but happy, they're drinking jugs of beer!
What an experience! Rugby, mates, beer and great food!
Singapore 2025, let’s do it all again.....passports all renewed!!”
Tegan & Bart Wilkinson