Memory of Butterfield kept alive

JOCK Butterfield's wife, Lillian, reckons it was a day he would have loved.

The New Zealand rugby league champion died five years ago but he hasn't been forgotten.

The children who played in the Jock Butterfield round-robin competition, organised by the Burrum Miners, are making sure of that.

Jock Butterfield, who was 72 when he died, was named in the New Zealand team of the century last year. He played 36 Tests for the Kiwis between 1954 and 1963.

Mrs Butterfield watched the 18 teams from six different clubs compete for about an hour before presenting the trophy to the overall winners - the Maryborough Wallaroos. Wallaroos had seven teams competing on the day.

Two points were awarded for a win, one for a draw and none for a loss.

Bundaberg Brothers came second and, given they fielded only two teams on the day, that was no mean feat. Maryborough Rovers came third.

“Everything went off without a hitch,” organiser Tania Bell said.

“We had so many people come up to us and say it was the best carnival they had been to.”

Mrs Butterfield enjoyed watching the teams play.

“She said that she knew Jock would be watching these kids.

“She said she felt really heartfelt that it was being held in his honour and that Jock felt that this was what it was all about - watching the little guys play.”

Bell said the event would definitely be held again next year.

“It was the first time Childers and Bundaberg have entered teams in the competition,” she said.

“Representatives from both sides said that they would be back again next year.”