Welcome visit to northern Sydney legend

On 22 August, Men of League Northern Sydney Welfare Officers Norm Pounder, Fred Jackson and Ken Vessey paid a visit to see a longstanding Men of League Member (member # 737 and gold # 18) Graham Houston (age 84 yrs) at his Bayview residence.
Fred Jackson and Ken Vessey with Graham Houston.

Graham grew up in the Manly Warringah area, played his junior rugby league in the local Manly Junior Rugby League competitions before being graded with the Manly Warringah District Club during 1949 – 1952 and as a hooker.

He played a total of 48 games in reserve and 3rd grade with the likes of Brian Staunton,George Hugo, Kelly McMahon and Gus Kellog.
 
He worked for the Department of Motor Transport for 48 years, 2 weeks and 2 days, and in that time he played in the Department’s rugby league team in the highly competitive Sydney Domain lunch- time competition with the likes of great players Ray Gartner, Ken McCaffery, Les Brennan, Bernie Cuneo, Joe Ryan and Kevin Doyle.
 
Graham is a former director, a Foundation and Life Member of the Manly Warringah District RLF Club, and is also a current director, Foundation and Life Member of the Manly Warringah Leagues Club.
 
Naturally we asked him, “Being a hooker back in the old days how many times were you sent off from the field?" and with a grin on his face he replied, “Innocently only once, up the Domain”.
 
And who were the best two players he had seen? “The Little Master, Clive Churchill and Bobby Fulton.”
 
Graham and his charming wife Margaret have been married for 60 years.
 
We presented him with a Men of League polo shirt in appreciation for his long service to the game and Graham thanked us for the visit and wished the Men of League continued success.
 
By Ken Vessey