The proudest figure connected to the progressive Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) unveiled by the Wests Bulldogs club is Mark Moore because he’s lived it.
The RAP that existed when he was the only Indigenous player in Brisbane first grade in 1979 was the one no one got over the knuckles for the injudicious comments he copped.
There was no such thing as a RAP in 1977 when the trailblazer was the first Indigenous captain of the Gregory Terrace First XV.
Rugby offered a welcome to Moore, the drover’s son from Blackall who was the best Queensland schoolboys fullback of his day in 1977.
He was more than handy with his attacking speed and skill. He literally toppled “The King” when his Terrace First XV beat Wally Lewis and his favoured Brisbane State High side 14-7 for the GPS premiership that year.
Terrace’s first premiership in 21 years was earned with future Wallabies halfback Tony Parker, flyhalf Michael Maranta and try-scorer Moore in the backline.
Moore got into a few scuffles in his earliest school years at Terrace but “once it was realised I was a good footballer, I was sort of accepted.”
“I was the only Aboriginal person playing first grade in Brisbane too in 1979.
“There was no hierarchical thing at Wests. For me, it just felt normal because everyone was treated the same. That was a good feeling.
“My uncle tried to get me to play rugby league but rugby clubs are a community which is what I’ve always liked about Wests.”
Moore loved what the late Stan Pilecki stood for because the former Wallaby embodied that acceptance.
“Stan would treat a fifth grader the same as Roger Gould,” Moore said.
Moore was on the bench for Wests’ 1985 premiership triumph, having filled in when rugby great Gould was injured in the run to the decider.
The acceptance Moore found at Wests, a club he has remained close to for more than 40 years, is the essence of the RAP unveiled today.
Moore is now 66 and the proud Gubbi Gubbi man sat in the front row this morning when Wests President John Clifford unveiled the work done by the club to put together their Reflect RAP.
“We have had incredible contributions from Indigenous players to shape the history of Wests. This is about recognising and celebrating our history and a commitment to doing better,” Clifford said.
The message of any RAP is building relationships and a welcoming environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Queensland Rugby Union board member Selwyn Button is a proud Indigenous administrator with perspective.
“Credit to Wests. Building relationships is what a RAP is all about, first of all, so there is openly a welcoming environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,” Button told the audience.
“Rugby creates that family environment and that’s one of the game’s strengths.
“I’m proud to say the Reds will wear their Indigenous jersey on Saturday night against the Fijian Drua. It’s the 14th version.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland can see the Reds as their team and representing them.
“You can look through the many pathways from juniors to sevens to first grade to the Reds, men and women, and there is Indigenous player representation.”
At Wests, the late Peter Bartlett was club captain in 1992, as Moore had been before him (1986). While in the army, Jim Williams made his first impact at Wests as a centre before playing 14 Tests in the backrow for the Wallabies in 1999-2000. Backrower Mark Gabey, speedster Brett Leavy, Cairns product Jason Ramsamy and current halfback Moses Sorovi are others who have added to the club’s Indigenous roll call of players.
Former Wallaby Brendan Nasser will accompany Moore to the Reds vs Drua match.
Moore has another reason to smile with the First Nations & Pasifika Invitational XV created to face the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne on July 22.
“It’s brilliant. I hope the concept lives on so that a First Nations & Pasifika team faces every nation which makes a major tour of Australia,” Moore said.
