Gus Neilson: First Hand Recollections of Playing Rugby in the 1920s

Hawick's Rotarians met at Mansfield House Hotel to hear Gus Neilson give a presentation on 'First Hand Recollections of Playing for Hawick in the 1920s'. This confused some members who did not think Gus that old, but it turned out that he was referring to interviews recorded in 1990 with Cameron Keillor, born in 1908 and a member of the very successful Greens' side of the late 1920s. Gus played the recording and this was heard with much interest by Rotary members. Cameron spoke clearly and gave great detail of his rugby career beginning with lengthy games up on the Miller's Knowes after school, through visits to Murrayfield and to a 'quarterback' role with the Greens, alongside Willie Corbett. This interview was accompanied by some banter recorded by Robbie Knox, who had also been in this exceptional 1926 team.

Linden Warburton reported on the latest transactions in the Lend With Care scheme. Three new loans of £30 each were approved to farmers in Cambodia, Pakistan and Vietnam, and she noted a full repayment of a loan by the owner of an internet cafe in the Palestinian Territory.

Gus Neilson spoke also of a letter of appreciation he had received from Shelterbox International following the Club's donation of £500.