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Students get free kicks at study goals thanks to NRL

June 22, 2005

State of Origin 2005 2.jpgScholarships for The University of New England have received a free kick, thanks to the efforts of a rural resident and the National Rugby League (NRL).

Mr Rob Chapman, from Abroi, Wollomombi, paid $475 for a Golden Indulgence package, organised by UNE and donated by the NRL, that took him to the second State of Origin match.

“It was a tremendous deal and I met ‘man of the match’ Andrew Johns, as well as some of the other NSW players,” Mr Chapman said. (He is pictured here with NSW players Nathan Hindmarsh and Mark Gasnier.)

It all started in October last year, when UNE held a Spring Ball, a main feature of which was the charity auction of six Golden Indulgence packages. At the ball, guests were given the opportunity to bid for a number of one-off prizes, such as a business breakfast with the Chancellor of UNE, Mr John Cassidy, and the opportunity to be taught archery by Olympic gold medallist and UNE alumna, shooter Suzie Balogh. In all, more than $2,000 was raised on the night of the ball, all of which went towards UNE’s Scholarships Program.

NRL’s Director of Media and Communications, Mr John Brady, agreed to support the charity auction by donating a State of Origin package. This included two tickets to the second State of Origin match on June 15, the chance to meet the NSW Rugby League players, and a night’s accommodation at The Carlton Hotel in Parramatta, where the NSW rugby stars were staying.

Mr Chapman said he was delighted the money he paid for his Golden Indulgence package went towards helping students achieve their dream of studying at UNE. He and his wife Margaret have enjoyed an ongoing association with UNE over many years.

Mr Chapman’s package began on the Tuesday night before the big game, when he flew to Sydney and met some of the Blues players, including Andrew Johns (who had been recalled to play in the State of Origin series at short notice and at that match scored three goals). He also met NSW Captain Danny Buderus. “The players said ‘g-day’ and were very polite,” Mr Chapman said. “It was a pleasure to meet them.” Later, he escorted the players on a short walk along the banks of the Parramatta River before taking prime seats at Stadium Australia to watch the match with his son Christopher, seeing NSW defeat Queensland by 32 goals to 22.


Media contact: Lydia Roberts, Public Relations Manager, UNE 6773 2779.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at June 22, 2005 09:47 AM