John Raper MBE is a Rugby League immortal and now he is an Australia Post immortal. On Friday 20 January at Sydney's Convention Centre at Darling Harbour, John and seven other great Australian sportsmen, were officially named as the latest subjects to be on an Australian postage stamp. Among the many distinguished guests attending the Australia Day Council luncheon were NSW Governor, Marie Bashir AC, CVO, Premier Barry O'Farrell and Deputy Speaker of the House and Member for Lismore, Thomas George.
The four football codes of our country were recognised on the stamps by four great older players and four current day stars. Of course, there were many others would had the record to be used on the stamps, but the eight that were chosen are certainly worthy of the honour.
From Rugby League, John Raper and Billy Slater were the men and from Rugby Union they were David Campese AM and David Pocock. From Australian Rules, Ron Barassi AM and Gary Ablett junior got the gong and from soccer, Joe Marston MBE and Mark Schwarzer OAM were named.
When Roy and HG were interviewing the eight men during Friday's luncheon, they asked each when had they last been in a Post Office. Most said it was a long time ago and they couldn't remember, but when they asked John Raper, he had a twinkle in his eye when he said, " I was in one yesterday and from now on I am going to go once a week and post myself around the world."
When you examine the careers of each of the eight men, it is easy to see why they were honoured in this way. These records are as follows:
- John Raper, age 72, lock forward, 39 Tests and World Cup games for Australia, 31 games for NSW, 8 Premierships with St. George, Team of the Century member, Immortal.
- Billy Slater, age 28, fullback, 18 Tests and 18 tries for Australia, 17 State of Origin games for Queensland and 11 tries, 203 games for the Melbourne Storm and 124 tries.
- David Campese, age 49, winger, 101 Tests for Australia and 315 points including 64 tries, 56 games for NSW and 24 tries, 1991 World Cup winner and voted best player of the tournament, 3 World Cups.
- David Pocock, age 23, flanker, 40 Tests for Australia, 55 Super Rugby games for the Western Force, two times one of five players nominated by the International Rugby Board for games best player, 1 World Cup.
- Ron Barassi, age 73, 254 games for Melbourne and Carlton and 330 goals, a record 10 Premierships, 6 as a player and 4 as a coach, 3 times All Australian team, 19 games for Victoria.
- Gary Ablett junior, age 27, rover, 212 games for Geelong and Gold Coast and 280 goals, 2 Premierships, 6 times All Australian with 1 as captain, Brownlow Medal winner 2009.
- Joe Marston, age 86, defender, 37 games for Australia, 185 games for English club Preston North End, first Australian to play in an English FA Cup Final (1954)
- Mark Schwarzer, age 39, goalkeeper, 94 games for Australia including two World Cups, 170 games for Fulham since 2008, 445 games for Middlesbrough from 1997 to 2008, also played overseas with Dynamo Dresden and FC Kaiserslautern both in Germany, along with Bradford City in England. Played 58 matches for Marconi Stallions from 1990 to 1994 before leaving for overseas. Also represented Australia at under 17 and under 20 levels.
All 8 stamps are the 60 cent variety and are now on sale at all post offices throughout Australia.