Richmond Football Club and Tasmania.
A chronology of the Richmond Football Club and the state of Tasmania.
(Edited and researched by Rhett Bartlett)
1907
Friday June 8
The Melbourne Football Club leave the mainland for their trip to Tasmania. Their secretary is George Beachcroft, who was previously Richmond's secretary from 1900-1905. Beachcroft would later say of this trip that he 'retained the happiest recollections' and that 'he did not know that he had enjoyed himself anywhere as much as he did in this city, and he felt sure that he could promise his club mates a good time too.' As a result, when he was re-elected as Richmond Secretary in 1912 under Jack Archer's Reform Group, he began to organise Richmond's first interstate state ever ... to Tasmania.
1912
Monday August 5
The Richmond players and officials depart, for their first ever Interstate trip, on the S.S. Loongana from the No. 4 Berth at Queens Wharf at 4pm to Tasmania. The party of approximately 35 includes 24 RFC players and two from the Beverley team. A yellow and black flag is flown from the mast.
Tuesday August 6
The S.S. Loongana arrives at Launceston at 8.30am and are met by C Aitkins, Secretary of the Northern Association.
At 9.30am the club visit Cataract Gorge and have their photo taken atop Eagle Craig hold a yellow and black flag.
At 1pm lunch at the Metropole Hotel, 2pm stroll around Launceston, 3pm depart on train to Hobart.
At 5.57pm dinner at Parattah Hotel, before reaching Hobart at 8.50pm where a reception is held by the Tasmanian Football League at the Carlton Club Hotel. J.W.Watts, President of the Tasmania League hosts and proposes a toast of the club.
Wednesday August 7
Breakfast at 7am, then catch the steamer Huon for Huonville where they are served lunch on board at midday.
At 1pm they arrived at Huonville for a reception from the Huonville Football Association.
At 3pm they play a match against Huonville, followed by dinner and a social. The club sleep at the Picnic Hotel.
Thursday August 8
Breakfast at 7am , then leave for Hobart at 8.30am via horse-drawn carriage (drags).
At midday they lunch at Fern Tree Bower, then visit the Cascade Brewery at 1pm.
They arrive at Hobart at 6.00pm and have dinner. Their evening is free, allowing players to write postcards if required.
Friday August 9th
Breakfast at 7am, then leave at 8.00am for Port Arthur by boat. They have midday lunch on board.
At 1pm they arrive at Taranna, and at 1.30pm visit Port Arthur and inspect relics of old convict days. They are photographed in front of the Powder Magazine, as well as the Old Convict Church.
At 4pm they leave for Hobart, arriving at 9pm and in the evening go to the theatre.
Saturday August 10th
Breakfast at 7am, then drag drive to Elwick Racecourse and drive around Hobart.
At 1pm they have lunch.
At 3pm Richmond 11.11.77 defeat Southern Tasmania 8.9.57 in front of 4,000 spectators at the Hobart Cricket Ground.
They have dinner at 6pm followed by Scollops supper at 8pm.
Sunday August 11
Breakfast at 7am, then catch the steamer Mongana at 8am to visit New Norfolk and Salmon Ponds. They are photographed in front of the steamer, as well as at an Al fresco dinner.
Arrive back at Hobart at 6pm and in the evening the club goes to church.
Monday August 12
Breakfast at 7am, then drag drive to Brown's River where they have a picnic, and inspect the Old Curiosity Shop and Shot Tower.
At 1pm they lunch at Fern Tree Bower and at 2pm they ascend Mount Wellington where the party is photographed at the top.
Dinner at 6pm is at the Carlton Club, then a smoke concert is held at 8pm.
Tuesday August 13
Breakfast at 7am, then at 8.10am the club leave for home. They lunch at Parattah Hotel at 11.49am and arrive back in Launceston at 2pm. At 2.30pm the board the S.S. Loongana to travel back to Melbourne.
Wednesday August 14
8.30am the club arrive back in Melbourne, the party singing 'Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot".
Saturday August 24
George Beachcroft is presented with a diamond ring as a reward for his management of the Tasmanian trip.
Barney Herbert was presented with a gift to console him for being unable to go to Tassie with the team.
1914
Thursday August 6
Victoria 28.20.188 defeat Tasmania 8.9.57. Hughie James becomes the first Richmond player to kick a goal for Victoria in an interstate match since Richmond joined the League in 1908.
Arrive back at Hobart at 6pm and in the evening the club goes to church.
1920
Monday June 14
Five Richmond footballers solicit the Richmond Cricket Club for a contribution to their end of season trip to Tasmania. They are rewarded with a 100 pound donation.
Wednesday October 6
Richmond departs for their end of season trip to Tasmania on the SS Loongana (the same steamer from their 1912 trip).
The players wear straw hats with yellow and black ribbons and are photographed with an early incarnation of the club mascot, a "weirdly-shaped figure which was made to resemble the head of a tiger draped in a 'skin' of yellow and black". A flag inscribed with the premiership victory was unfurled along with two black and yellow pennants with the words 'Defiant' and 'On Top'
A photo captions Barney Herbert as leading the eat em alive war cry of the time.
The entire team is also photographed on the wharf before leaving. The players and crowd exchange 'we eat em alive' cries, but includes 'feathers and all' at the end , to denote the defeat of Collingwood.
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