Wizard of Oz Dinner

Phill Hawke last week attended a dinner in honour of our own David Campese to celebrate his wonderful career in rugby, Phill shares his experience at the event.

The grandest house in Sydney at Darling Point was the venue for the recognition of the Wizard of Oz, David Campese.

Joe Roff as an eighteen-year-old joined the Wallabies camp and was introduced to Campo. Joe said ‘I have watched you as I grew up and I tried to imitate you on the field. I have a poster in the house of you doing a goosestep.”

Campo replies” Yeah, I know the one you mean it is on my bedroom wall.”

That stories and many more were told about Queanbeyan’s and Australia’s rugby legend.

The venue, Swifts, a heritage listed Victorian castellated Gothic Revival mansion at Darling Point is a grand private residence built in 1872 to 1882. The current owners Shane and Penny Moran provided their banquet room for “It’s been 30 years in the making” a tribute to David.

Master Ceremonies Vince Sorrenti told the 150 guests that the lunch was I honour of Campese’ s 101 Tests, 65 tries and three tackles.

Irish five eighth Tony Ward said “He is the Maradona, the Pele of International rugby all rolled into one. He is a breath of fresh air and perhaps the greatest player of all time.”

Alan Jones spoke as did Bob Dwyer, Tim Horan and of course Campo at the lunch organised by Nick Farr-Jones.

I was in the company of rugby royalty on table one-Sean Maloney (Stan), Phil Kearns, Morgan Turinui, Justin Harrison, Peter FitzSimons, Tim Horan and Bob Dwyer. They did not know who I was?

Campese has a consultancy role with the Hunter Wildfires in the Shute Shield.

Pictured: my new friends at the Gothic mansion lunch for Campo.