An afternoon catch up for John Raper

John Raper has many friends and on Tuesday 27 March, three of them visited him at his Southern Sydney retirement village.

Steve Mortimer OAM, who played eight Tests for Australia and 279 games for the Bulldogs including the winning Grand Finals in 1980, 1984, 1985 and 1988, joined Barry Ross and comedian Brian Doyle to spend an hour or so with the Immortal and Team of the Century member.

Now 61, Steve also played nine State of Origin matches and was the first NSW captain to win the Origin series in 1985. Steve and his wife Karen have recently returned from the USA and England where they visited their children.

While in the America, Karen and Steve had lunch with Julie Andrews at her property two hours out of New York. Karen, who is well known in the world of theatre, worked with Julie when she was in Australia for My Fair Lady.

Brian Doyle, who is a passionate Dragons fan, is well known to many throughout the rugby league world because of his hilarious work as a comedian. He has won the award as Australia’s best male comedian six times and also the Variety club’s award as Australia’s best comedy artist.

While in the retirement village complex Steve, Brian and Barry also caught up with legendary St. George halfback, Billy Smith, who is now 75 and played 26 Tests.