A  LITTLE HISTORY ABOUT ONE OF OUR FORMER MEMBERS

Eric Tweedale was the second President of our club, and presumably the first vice president in 1986, also a foundation member.  Eric had been instrumental in the formation of the club and was actively involved in all its activities until his resignation in October 1995 as he had moved to the Central Coast in 1992.   Between 5 May 2021 and his death, at 102 yrs he was the oldest living Australian rugby international.^[2]

Eric played all his football for Parramatta and represented Australia in 10 Tests between 1946 and 1949.  He has continued his association with the Two Blues as club patron.  Eric is also the only surviving Wallaby to have fought in World War II, where he served with the Royal Australian Navy between 1941 and 1946.  He toured New Zealand in 1946 and Britain in 1947-48.  In those days all players had jobs outside of playing rugby which was fortunate as it would have been hard to make a living on what they earned playing for their country.  Players were paid five shillings a day.!! He was a prop forward.   For several years Eric came back for our Birthday and Christmas luncheons and it was good that he was able to attend our 30th "Birthday" function in 2016

Nell Tanswell,  Historian