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Four hundred past and present members players and invited guests attended at yesterday afternoon's launch of Mal Siddon's book "For The Love of the Game", a historical record of the Palmyra club from its conception in 1934 to the present day.
The book, 446 pages long, contains numerous photographs, articles, reminisces, short biographies and a multitude of historical facts, legends and stories surrounding the club, its origins and its members in each year of the club's existence.
Amongst those present at the club on Saturday afternoon were players and their wives from each decade from the forties onwards including some from the halcyon days of the late forties and early fifties when the club won several successive first grade premierships in both the Union and League codes.
The afternoon turned to evening, with the gathering reluctant to leave, the old timers reminiscing and exchanging yarns and recollections with teamates many had not seen, in some cases, for over forty years.
A generous flow of drinks and the celebratory nature of the event ensured a great time was had by all, even the younger and newer players, who were amazed and moved by the stoicism and camaraderie displayed by their older confreres. The intergenerational exchanges between folk who had little in common except the love of the game were great to behold.
Mal Siddons has done a great service to his club by compiling his book, especially as it comes at a time where Rugby in Western Australia is about to change forever and when the traditions and values of the past and present time are likely to transmorph into something quite alien to the historical culture.
Mal's book is a limited edition publication and nearly all copies were sold at the launch.
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