When I arrived at the Ponsonby Rugby League ground. My name was Bruce Pamatatau without the middle lot. However the schoolboys League officials found it hard to pronounce the surname.

Mr George Croul (a good bloke he was) asked me if it was alright to fix the surname to Palmer, well as a 10 year old I just gave a nod of the head which was the answer YES.

So therefore it stuck - the same applied to R & W Hellaby Ltd (My employer) as well as the Inland Revenue Department - so that explains it for me.

Last but not least my acknowledgement to Rani Pau and Karen Miljak for their generosity and kindness in transporting to the games during the 2007 season – My humble thank you.

Introduction.

Born 23^rd August 1936 at Matavera Rarotonga – Cook Islands.

1947: Migrated to Auckland NZ by sea on the passenger/ cargo ship the Maui Pomare (nicknamed Pom-Pom), early in the year. Attended Ponsonby Primary School in Curran Street at the tender age of ten years.

The football season duly arrived – my school friend Bill Ashdown from the same class at school took me to Pottery Park as it was known then to join the Ponsonby United rugby League Club Schoolboys Division (Senior Colts Schoolboys).

My first games were played in shoes as I did not have a pair of football boots. The first game against Kingsland-Roskill, we won. There were four teams in this grade Ponsonby, Richmond, Mt Albert and Kingsland- Roskill. I remember very clearly the tussle I had with Don Hammond the former Kiwi Captain and as you know he was very solidly built in comparison to me – skinny and lite weight. As the season progressed I enjoyed and liked the game very much.

1948: Same Schoolboy grade Senior Colts got to know some of the boys better, Tom McKeown who was to become Club Secretary later on,
Wes Bickerton, Mike O’Hallaran and Bill Ashdown. I was selected for Auckland Reps to play against South Auckland–along with Wes Bikerton.

1949: Same grade 12 year old Reps for Auckland again.

1950: Moved up to Senior Schoolboy grade. Finished Primary School at Standard 6 – went on to Secondary School. This time I was attending Huntly District High School as the family were to move and settle at Huntly.

1951: Attending Huntly High as a third form scholar at 14 years of age. I was selected for the South Auckland Senior Schoolboy side playing in the Amalgamated Theatres Shield tournament which was held at Huntly – Auckland won, South Auckland second. May I remind you that a few years ago the Rugby League District at Huntly was known as South Auckland. Now it is known as Waikato. August approached, I turned 15 years of age and  decided to finish school as I had lost interest in the learning procedure. September arrives and I returned to Auckland and started work as an apprentice Butcher for R& W Hellaby Ltd.

1952: I started football training alone in February at Point Erin Park near the Harbour Bridge. As it’s on grass I appreciated not having to run on the footpath and the Road which were inclined to jarring which I did not want. The football season approached and  I geared up ready to play. Joined the 4^th Intermediate Grade Open Weight, Under 17 years, enjoyed all games played – no injuries.

1953-1954: The same tactics of training and looking forward for the season to commence – 4^th Intermediate. Although selected for Auckland Reps - as I was a kind of a shy young fellow and I did not attend the practice sessions I was automatically out of the team. I learned my lesson over that.

Incidentally I’d like to mention of course that as a 15 and 16 year old my idols in the Ponsonby Senior Team were Des White, Wally Bovaird, Les Cherrie, Don Clapp, Lenny Erickson, Frank Delgrosso Jnr,
Doug Richards Jolly, Doug Shaw and Travis Hardwick.

1955-1956: Before the season started I was hoping to make the Senior Third Grade side but to my disappointment I was rejected as I was too light (9 stone) and too young. (18 years old)

Therefore I thought I may have to go to another club to get in a team. Pt Chev or Richmond. Having decided to stay with the Ponies I thought why not move up to the Reserve Grade. Barry James and I were the babies at 18 years. Barry was alright in weight but I was very light at 9 stone, however I soldiered on as best as I could, kept up my fitness so less chance of sustaining serious injuries.

1957: This Reserve grade team was very good. Roy Nurse was the coach – hard and straight. In 1957 this team was runners up to Manukau – Greenlane. The wingers were myself and Chubb Keith, Chubb was New Zealand Heavyweight Boxing Champion. I remember one game against Ellerslie. I scored five tries at the Auckland Domain. The most I have ever scored in a lot of games. After that game I ended up in the Auckland Hospital with a strangulated hernia which burst during the game. That was the best year of rugby League for me and one which I will not forget for a long time.

1958: This year circumstances changed for me. I decided to put playing on hold and joined Auckland Rugby League Referees association through George Kelly, one of the top Referees during that era. Tom McKeown and I. The first year was the learning aspects of the Laws of the game. As well as a probationary period with the Midgets, 7 Asides, 10 aside then on to 13 aside on promotion. I came through with flying colours. I really enjoyed the change and loved every moment of it. The year Tom and I joined other well known referees also joined: Neville Kesha, Jimmy Steward, Roy Chissell and Andy Stephens.

In my second year I won the Cup as the most consistent schoolboy Referee and I was  thrilled about it. During the third year I was with the Referees Association, Bill Pengelly asked me if I could return to Club. Yes! Of course I wanted to return to playing again.

1959: I was with the administration division as the club scriber as well as a fill-in player for teams that were short. One game I played for the Senior Third Grade, under a boy's name as D. Wong because I was not registered that year. That game was against Pt Chev and we won – nothing was said – but I cheated.

1960: Times passed by for me as a relieving Coach, the odd game here and there, as well as on the administration.

1961: This is the year I completed my apprenticeship in butchering, six years all told. Incidentally when I started the butchering trade also working for R&W Hellaby Ltd was Vic Pirihi who played League for Richmond, there was Don Oliver the New Zealand heavyweight lifter in the Empire and Olympic Games. I was the first Cook Islander that was apprenticed to that Company -1952.

1962: I also got itchy feet so I went down to the South Island. I had a wonderful time, travelling the length and breadth of the Island. As I had been working inside for a number of years I decided to take on an outdoor job with the New Zealand Railways. It was fantastic in the Locomotive Division, working with steam engines. I spent five years in the South Island, great people over on the West Coast, very friendly!

1963-1967: Five years away – had a wonderful time – still single but nearly got hitched!

1969: Returning to Auckland I rejoined the club and returned to the old job as scriber and Relieving coach. Also replaced Ray Cooper as Club Captain as Ray was in poor health as well as shifting to Whangaparoa to live. I enjoyed what I was doing and the Club was very successful in different grades which was very good all round. Of course in those days the club had plenty of players and good coaches to look after the teams.

1970 -1973: During the five years I was Club Captain Miss Sue Bills approached Bill Pengelly requiring a coach for the Ladies Rugby League team that she was forming. Bill asked around until he came to me – I became their coach. They were known then as the Ponsonby Chicks –they, the girls worked hard in holding dances to raise funds to buy a set of gear for themselves with my design. The club colours with V shape on the front of the Jersey. They played their first game against a Blockhouse Bay side at Carlaw Park as Curtain raiser to a Ponsonby and an Invitation side. They lost 2- nil. A penalty kick in front of their goal post. That was their only loss out of 20 odd games after that. In the changing room at Carlaw Park on the day of their game as soon as I announced the team to play, they were that keen to get on the field they didn’t wait around to get changed never mind about me as I looked on. However they were a good bunch, in fact one of the girls married one of the Club Senior players, no name to mention. I thought I may couple up with one them but not to be. It was a good team we went on trips and played won them all and a good time was had by all.

1947: During the intervening years from now on I sort of roamed and watched games here and there. I met Diane my wife in 1976 and started to take on golf with the Muriwai Club. Played a lot of games with cousin Bill Framhein and at the Onewhero Golf Club with Clarrie Gillies brother of Racehorse trainer Jim Gillies of Matamata and I had a ball of a time.

Just another thing to past time when my friend and former senior player Barry James approached me and asked me to coach and look after his schoolboy team of 8 year olds, as he was shifting house for a few weeks, but it turned out to be 7 years. These young boys were a pleasure to coach apart for a couple that are a bit backward; they were really a bunch of good young players. Although they did not move on to higher honours they tried but were never recognised by the selectors. This team was well led by their Captain Sonny McCarthy, his brother Denis also a good little player. Other players in the team were Joe and Jack Purcell, Paul Stubbs, John Fonua, and Steve and Joe Kaiser, Steve Conroy, Philip Taripo, Bruce Cunningham, Fred Best, Peter Niuloa and John Vasau. They were really good in play and conduct. My Manager Barry Hemingway and I gave the team a treat and shouted them a trip to Rotorua for the weekend with a game to play which we won. By the way they were 15 years old then. It was a great trip they behaved all the way. Incidentally we were invited to Rotorua at the courtesy of  Pat Bennett for which I am grateful to him.

Something different – I live in Pt Chevalier now, from 1976 until now 2008. I bought a property in 1981 for $40,000.00, at present for me to sell would be around about half a million. I developed it myself. It is the only house in the street with Ponsonby colours of Blue, Black and White. I tell you all I live in Pt Chev but my heart is in Ponsonby as I lived and know the district so well – from 1947 to 1976 apart for 5 years in the South Island.

1997: Returned to the club after some years of absence as I was with the Pt Chevalier Rugby League Club - I enjoyed being there in the company of a former Senior Ponsonby player in David Bailey. Although during my time towards the year 1915-1996 with Pt Chev I became ill with Lung Cancer which the left Lung was removed in the year 2000. I am till now only firing on one lung only. Believe me it’s hard going for me especially breathing. The doctor that checks me out at Greenlane Hospital did tell me I was supposed to die 2002-2003-2005-2007 but I don’t want to die yet. Because I want to join in the Club Celebration of 100 years.

Just quietly my advice to all young players that would like to play our good game of Rugby League even if you are not a good player but willing to learn, always wear a clean set of football gear, Jersey, shorts, socks, clean pair of boots and look like a footballer, you will have confidence in the game. Always be prepared to listen to your coach or manager.

My motto is ‘PLAY HARD-PLAY WELL-PLAY FAIR’

Last but not least I now wish to pay tribute to Mr Kaa Strickland, a relation on the Niue and Mangai Side in the Cook Islands. Kaa a real stalwart of the club is one of the guys that kept the club going before it fell over. Besides Kaa there is Mary Malloy, Peter Best (deceased), John Fidow, Keith and Joan Bell, Dave and Bev Wong, Joe Purcell and his wife and sons, the (late) Bernie Turner and lot more that I cannot remember, please accept my apology for not mentioning.

To the present Committee 2008 and the Celebration Committee 2008 may I wish you all a successful celebration and an enjoyable year. I am very much looking forward to it with bells on.

1976-1979: Finally met my wife Diane. Young Bruce Manfred Kennedy Pamatatau was born. There is only the three of us.

In conclusion I was the first Rarotonga born Cook Islander that’s ever played for Ponsonby United Rugby League Club – 1947 to 1963.

Kia Orana Kotou Katoatoa

Greetings to you all.

Cheers

Bruce Palmer (Pamatatau)

In 1998 I managed the Cook Island Pacific Cup team in the tournament which was held at Carlaw Park. The coach was Nora Samuela – he did a very good job. John Hewitt the trainer done his work well. Andre Rickenbach (strapper) excellent at his toil. The team played to the best of their ability in which I admired them for their effort. To all the players that took part in their respective games I only hoped that they enjoyed themselves.
 

I and others wish them all the best for the future. Kia Orana Bruce.

Fitness:

During my Primary School days in form two at Curran Street, the best teacher I ever had in my schooldays was Mr Stanley Clifton Rosser; he was really good and hard. After school hours I would deliver the Auckland Star in the evening and the NZ Herald in the morning of course on foot all along for 12/6 for the Star and 15/- Shillings in dollars and cents 12/6 = $1.26. Also the grocery deliver as well for Mr Ray Stuart, his shop was at 298 Ponsonby Road, two doors from Bob Scott men’s clothing shop. (Bob Scott was a former All Black Fullback and also played for Ponsonby). Also during my last year at Ponsonby Primary my classmate Ron Smyth and I were selected for the Roller Mills Shield Rugby team Auckland North to travel to Taumarunui. The trip was cold as we were the only team that went in short pants. We did not do very well as far as the games were concerned. They were divided into two divisions – We were at Taumarunui and the winner of the tournament went to the King Country where the Meads twin brothers played – they played at Te Kuiti. We were billeted out to various private homes.

Running for Ponsonby Athletic Club in the 100 and 200 metre races at the Pottery.

Boxing at the Leys Institute with Little Jack Davey (was tutor).

Swimming for Ponsonby at Shelly Beach Baths, now Pt Erin.

Delivering Telegrams on push bike from Ponsonby Post Office.

A little Rugby for Ponsonby Rugby in Blake Street. I was 16 and 17 years. I played Rugby in the morning and League in the afternoon for both Ponsonby Clubs on the Saturdays. I enjoyed every moment of it as I was very fit indeed.

Drinking Habits and Smoking. I did not drink or smoke until I reached the age of 22 years.

Finally folks I tell you I enjoy life a lot of fun. I had some good times – some bad times, no regrets, no complaints – I love the world.

I had several times during my single days were I was invited to go to Aussie but I had no desire to see their bright lights because the electric light that is burning in front of me is bright enough for me HA-ha, Sayonara.

I had a lot of football photos at my Aunties place until the house was burnt to the ground at Albany road, Herne Bay in the late 1960’s.

Ray McKeown (Captain), Tom McKeown (cousins), wicketkeeper Gus Miller, Patrick Thurlow (Fish) Bill Harris, Barry James, Bruce Palmer (me), Doc Page (Glenis Page the former NZ Woman Cricket brother), Parry Payne, former Mt Albert Senior player as well as Ashley McEwan also a senior player for Mount. Graeme, Neil McLaughlin, Less-Tai Cross and other ring-ins. For the record we were champs – no kidding, them were the good old days. I wish we could have it over again, it was great fun. Hi Ho Silver.

First my apology to Don Croul I should have mentioned his Dad and Mum earlier in the script. They and Mrs Whitehouse looked after me when I was in the schoolboys section of the club.

To Ray McKeown and Bill Harris my best mates I do hope to see you two at the celebration. To all my former playing colleagues I hope to meet you all again before or during this celebration year it will be a pleasure for old times sake.

From 2003 to now at present I have part-time voluntary work at the Auckland City Hospital as what is known as Site Ambassador (Blue Coats) I enjoy meeting people and the environment that goes with it.

Finally to my wife Diane who is wonderful to me. To son Bruce Jnr- he is also doing very well at his occupation as a lawyer in which his mother and I are very proud of him in reaching such a status – well done Junior. God Bless to all.

Bruce