“WE MAY not be the men we once were but we are as good now as we ever was.”
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So goes the toast undertaken before every Golden Oldies Rugby game played by the Katherine Krocs.
The Krocs are a mixed amateur social rugby club founded in 1993, although recent evidence in the way of old newspaper clippings suggests that the Club may goes back several years before this.
It was founded by a like-minded group of expat Kiwis, a few Aussies and several aging members of the Katherine Rucking Roo’s - and from this Golden Oldies Rugby was formed in Katherine and still exists today.
Foundation members include, Marty Duggan, Arthur Hemopo, P J Johnston, Wolf Sievers, Russell Kelly, Dougal Reid, Dave Gutte, Greg Bird, Glen McLellan, Ken Skinner, Vic Stow, Graham Simmonds and many others.
In the early days the Krocs used to play a monthly social game against the Tindal Razorbacks and would play the Darwin Stubbies two to three times a year.
The First official Krocs tour of a Golden Oldies Festival was to Christchurch NZ in 1995.
Since then they have toured the Golden Oldies Festivals throughout the world including those held in Canada, New Zealand and Japan. This year the Krocs Tour to Argentina for the week long Festival.
The Krocs also play locally and in the past have played social rugby in Darwin, Douglas Daly, Pine Creek and Gove and still continue to do so.
Every few years they also play a Golden Girls game against the ladies and according to the 2015 calendar a game is slated for next year.
The Krocs premiere event of their yearly calendar is the Waitangi Day celebrations held in early February, including an Australia versus New Zealand rugby match - Trans Tasman rivalry at its finest
The Katherine Krocs have many traditions and institutions such as the Port wenches, at present the two longest serving Port wenches are Sue Moran and Sharon Ephgrave - they are regarded as the heart and soul of the Club.
Other traditions include a long cylindrical shaped beer glass that is brought out at the end of games to welcome new members and given to any other members deserving of this.
In 1999 at great expense to the Club the Kroc Mascot was introduced and has travelled to all Golden Oldies Festivals since.
It is a man-sized synthetic crocodile suit that is a known crowd puller.
Many notable Katherinites have done a shift or two in the mascot suit at festivals over the years, however, much should be left unsaid.
Since their inception the Katherine Krocs have been heavily involved in fundraising activities in the region and whether a one off affair or an annual event the Krocs man up and step forward.
Recently they have been involved with the 000 concert, 2013 Bundaberg flood fundraiser and in 2010 the Christchurch Earthquake fundraiser for the Marist Rugby Union Club of Christchurch.
Also, this year has seen active participants in the St Patricks Day Gaelic football cancer fundraiser, Ray Palmer’s Walk for the ‘Families of the Fallen’ rugby game, and last year the Walk For Life fundraiser.
It should be noted that the Krocs are well renowned for their thespian talents and also have an auctioneer or two in their ranks.
In the past the Krocs have catered for the annual NT Cattlemen’s dinner and used to hold a social ball every year with skits being performed by Club members.
The Krocs are at present in highly secret rehearsals for this year’s 000 concert.
The Krocs still play a monthly social game at the Sport and Rec Club - usually against members of the local Constabulary, and will tour Argentina in September.
A tour to Darwin in November to play the Stray Cats is also on the schedule and in NAIDOC week this year the Krocs will also play a social game against a local indigenous team.
The Katherine Krocs are a broad church and welcome new members with enthusiasm and gusto.
This weekend they will celebrate their 21st Birthday at the Sport and Rec Club from 4pm on Saturday with a game followed by a formal dinner that evening on the Rugby pitch.