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A Country Copper

One Friday night in 1966, Kim and Bill hitch-hiked to the Bogong Hotel at Tawonga, that was about 4 miles out of Mt Beauty. We were under-age at 17 and were having a few beers out on the front saloon verandah.

Suddenly, constable Clyde Smith walked into the pub, saw us and said, "You two, out!” We promptly obeyed. When out in the car park, he demanded to know who brought us to the pub. Of course we would not tell him. He appeared annoyed and said, “In the bloody car, I’m taking you two home!”  Of course we thought Karl, the pub owner, would be fined and we would be charged with under-age drinking. We were petrified.

When we got in the car, Clive retorted, “ You know the bloody rules, no drinking the night before a footy match. If I told the coach, you would be out.”  He later said, “ If this effects your play tomorrow, I'll kick your arse.”

You see, it had nothing to do with the under-age drinking. It was all about the footy and we did get our arses kicked by coach Billy Moorman after the thrashing on that day. We never knew if it was for drinking at the pub or for not playing well enough. We just sort of accepted it.

The joys of country life and having a great policeman in town, whom we played football and cricket with and we totally respected.
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Footnote: Kim called in to see Clyde at his home in Wodonga in early January, 2014. He and Marge were so happy to chat. They are doing well and Clyde is hitting 87. In conversation, I was amazed that he remembered my young playing days as he said, "Kimmy, did you ever get to play cricket for Australia?" Clyde was one of the most successful and admired cricket captains at Mt Beauty.
Left: Mt Beauty policeman, Clyde Smith gestures to "run-in" Mr Renshaw on his way to the first church service held in the new Uniting Church. The church was built by the community and the stonework supervised by Snowy Miller. (Photo supplied courtesy of Liz Black)
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  • Home
  • Mt Beauty Stories
    • Lower Bogong History
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    • Rabbiting Times
    • Bogong Hotel Gone
    • Mt Bogong Photos
    • Keebles Hut At Geehi
    • A Country Copper
    • Amnesty Failure
    • Dangerous Activities
    • Green Ginger White
    • Murder At The Gorge
    • Sam The Barber
    • The Marbuck Dive
    • Radio Call VH06
  • Schooling
    • Where Do We Come From - Mt Beauty
    • Reunion 2014 Videos
  • Murray Stories
    • Family Stories >
      • Sam Sherring Family Photos
      • Jack Dean Family Photos
      • Frank Dean Family Photos >
        • Found Old Photos
      • Reg Dean Family Photos
      • Doris Dean Family Photos
      • Bill Dean Family Photos
      • Hazel Dean Family >
        • Hazel Dean Family Photos
    • Family Greats >
      • Errol White Featured
      • Reg Dean Featured
      • Alf Dean Featured
      • Jack Dean Featured
      • Sam Sherring Featured
      • William Bateman Featured
      • John Batman Featured
    • Regs Boundary Bend
    • Murray River Video Clips
    • Murray River Audio Clips
    • Billy Blowfly
    • Frank Makes A Mark
    • Whirlpool Terror
    • Whip Handle Hazel
    • Who Was Joe
    • Wild Duck Egg Story
    • All Family's Photos
  • Family
    • Family Tree
    • Just A Kiewa Kid
    • One Last Flutter
    • Errol White Featured
    • Errol's Bogong High Plains Huts
    • Roberts
  • About