 Lifelong St George supporter FRANK BATES was instrumental in the monument honouring St George's most famous and hallowed names .
As Promotions and Fundraising Manager of the Jubilee Oval Community Appeal (JOCA), Mr Bates played a major role in the realisation of Legends Walk, the monument to St George greats at OKI Jubilee Stadium .
The tribute to the Club's 16 most distinguished sons, which the great Norm Provan labelled a "benchmark" in this publication, was unveiled early in 2004 following a lightning 10-day construction .
The swift completion and fine quality of the granite and glass columns owe much to Mr Bates, an accomplished event manager who has staged the Commonwealth Bank Cycle Classic, World Series Cycling and BMW Golf Tournaments over the past 20 years.
"Given the fact I was not well at the time, without Frank it would not have happened," St George District Rugby League Executive Officer Robert Stone said .
"When we first started we were not happy with the design and Frank took it on himself to design and research it .
The actual legends were beside themselves to have some information up there along with a photo." Mr Bates, a former Jersey Flegg trainer for the Dragons whose mother used to feed many of the Saints country players, said the Legends Walk was conceived both to honour past players and to raise funds for the development of future stars .
Saints supporters sponsored individual tiles covering the bases of the eight columns and had their names engraved on tiles supplied by United Stone Australia, while graphics of Rod Reddy, Norm Provan, Reg Gasnier, etc .
were printed onto toughened glass supplied by Penrose Glass of Kogarah .
"I was very happy with the initial response," Mr Bates said .
"But people did not realise the significance of it until they saw the finished product and we have had a lot of interest for the next column." The Oatley resident said he enjoyed researching the individual playing careers of many of his childhood heroes and compiling their statistics .
"I was born about two drivers and a five iron from OKI Jubilee Stadium," Mr Bates said .
"It was an absolute honour because I have been a Saints supporter from when I was in third class, when Bobby Bugden turned up at Peakhurst Primary and ran coaching clinics in 1957." Granite tiles can still be purchased .
Application forms are available at St George Leagues Club or email: fbates.inanyevent@bigpond.com
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St George Leagues Club
LEAGUES CLUB JOURNAL
