ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This book could not have been written without the kindness of key people who experienced the events before, during, and after the South African Springboks’ rugby union tour of Australia in 1971, and who agreed to be interviewed. For giving so generously of their time, memories, and insights, I thank Dr Meredith Burgmann (who deluged me with her enthusiasm and righteous spirit, as well as her archival material from the protest front line, including her remarkable correspondence with Sir Donald Bradman). I thank, too, her reluctant ‘heroes’, the inspirational Rugby Seven, who made a stand against apartheid: former Wallabies Anthony Abrahams, Jim Boyce, Dr Paul Darveniza, Terry Forman, Barry McDonald, James Roxburgh, and Bruce Taafe. It was a true pleasure and a privilege to meet you, and to record your experiences, and I hope I’ve done your achievements justice in this book. John Myrtle, an unsung but influential veteran of the social-change trenches, contributed immeasurably by sharing his knowledge and opening to me his voluminous archives. John’s help throughout has been above and beyond the call. The contributions of Peter Hain and Sekai Holland, both legendary anti-apartheid campaigners, were invaluable. Springbok champion Tom Bedford confided to me what it was to be in the besieged Springbok camp circa-1971 and helped me understand the pressures the South African players endured as a result of their government’s policies. I am in debt to Geoffrey Robertson, who gave me kind permission to reprint his landmark Blackacre interview with the recalcitrant Wallabies. Former Queensland premier Peter Beattie, who was among those savagely beaten, took time out from his busy schedule to bring to life for me the high drama and violence when police charged demonstrators at Brisbane’s Tower Hill at the behest of his less enlightened predecessor, Joh Bjelke-Petersen. Father Richard Buchhorn permitted me to quote from his eloquent and powerful correspondence. Illuminating anecdotes were offered by Norm Tasker, Geoff Wannan, David Vaughan, John ‘Rugby’ Ryan, and Brian Mossop. This book has also benefited enormously from my access to the notebooks of the redoubtable and, sadly, late anti-apartheid campaigners Peter McGregor and Denis Freney, which were passed to me by Meredith Burgmann and John Myrtle, loving keepers of their flame. I thank Jennie Fairs for her remarkable research. Blessings, too, to Wayne Davies for his photographs that transport you into the battle fields that for a while were our rugby grounds. Ian Heads, Tony Baine, Barry Ross, and Nicholas Gurney all introduced me to people whose involvement has enriched this book.

Extra thanks to Meredith Burgmann, Anthony Abrahams, Jim Boyce, and John Myrtle for reading my manuscript for accuracy. Your safety net is hugely appreciated, although any mistakes in the text are my own.

My appreciation to Henry Rosenbloom, founder and publisher of Scribe Publications, for believing in this book and shepherding it through to publication, and to my editor at Scribe, David Golding, whose wise amendments and suggestions enriched this book.

Thanks and love to my family, Carol, Tom, Casey, Winston, and our special girl Maddie, who left us much too soon, but knowing, always, that she was loved.