THE STATE OF ORIGIN FOOTBALL

 The State of Origin is an annual rugby league series played between teams representing the Australian states of Queensland  (the Maroons) and New South Wales (the Blues). It is called "State of Origin" because players represent the state where they first played senior rugby league rather than who they play for now. The series consists of three matches each year in June, July and August. The team that wins two of the matches is declared the winner. Last Wednesday was the second match in this year's competition and it was our Resident's Dinner Night. We were asked to wear the colour of the team we supported. Bill and I don't bother watching Rugby League because we prefer to watch Football (Soccer). However, being Queenslanders we did wear Maroon although Bill had on a red coat with a maroon checked shirt. I wore Maroon cords and a maroon jumper. The dinner finished at 8:00pm so everyone could go home and watch the match. They could have watched on the big screen in the community centre but a vote was taken and everyone wanted to watch at home. New South Wales had won the first match so every Queenslander was hoping Queensland would win the second.

When we arrive at the centre we pick a number out of a container to tell us which table to sit at. There are two containers, one for couples and one for single people. There are mostly two couples and two singles at each table. Each time we usually sit with different people so we can get to know everyone in the village.

L to R: Mandy and Andrew, Ian and Clover, Joan and Faith.  (Faith is one of our oldest residents in her nineties and still alert but has sciatica)

This was my table. Bill is in the red jacket listening to Noela, her husband, Robin is talking to Rhonda and Anne (hiding behind Rhonda.) 

Our usual chef was away. He is a chef on a yacht as well and sometimes dinners clash. So we had a catering company cooking a roast dinner for us but the Rochdale High School catering students still helped decorate the tables, serve the meals, clean up and wash the dishes. They are great kids doing a good job.Thanking the students.

The Maroons won. Hooray! Now they are one each. The decider will be played next month. (Photo from the web). P.S. It is the shortest day of the year today. Yay! heading towards spring and summer.