Charity was the winner

June 16, 2004

Charity was the winner

Rugby fans in Auckland last night bid more than $33,000 for 25 renowned All Blacks pictures by photographer Peter Bush.

The auction in aid of the Cancer Society was the first of three timed to coincide with tests against England, Australia and South Africa in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The pictures feature celebrated clashes between the old rugby rivals and are part of the 'Memories from the Sideline' exhibition. The exhibition takes place at Working Style stores in the cities prior to the auctions.

Highest bid of the night at $4,100 went to lot 25, a celebrated picture taken in November 1972 of expelled All Black Keith Murdoch striding through morning travellers at London's Euston Station.

Murdoch had been dismissed from the New Zealand team after striking a security guard at a function in Ireland.

Working Style director Chris Dobbs is delighted with the result of last night's event.

"Peter's work is obviously well respected and combined with a good cause it made for a great night.

"Pinetree was in top form relating some of the great stories behind the games featured in the pictures. Peter also provided interesting insights into the life and times of a rugby photographer," Mr Dobbs says.

"We're indebted to Peter, Pinetree and everyone who attended."

Mr Dobbs conceived the idea for the charity auction when he realised the England, Australia and South Africa rugby teams would all be in the country within a few weeks of each other.

"I've always admired Peter's work and I simply thought it would be a great opportunity to celebrate his talents and at the same time raise funds to help fight the menacing and deadly disease that is cancer.

"With Verna being a survivor and Colin such an icon of rugby in this country the fit just seemed natural."

The Wellington exhibition opens at the Working Style store on June 28 and the cocktail function and auction are on July 13. The All Blacks play the Wallabies in a Bledisloe Cup match at the Cake Tin on Saturday July 17.

In Christchurch the All Blacks take on the Springboks at Jade Stadium on Saturday July 24. The auction and cocktail function take place the previous Wednesday (July 21) and the exhibition opens the Friday before that on July 16 and closes on August 2 at Working Style.

" Tickets to the cocktail function and auction cost $75 and include refreshments provided by Heineken and Matariki Wines, finger food, addresses by Peter Bush and Colin Meads and the auction. Tickets are available from Chris Dobbs on 0-9-302 0532 or cdobbs@workingstyle.co.nz.

About Peter Bush

Peter Bush has been pointing his lens at rugby players since 1939 and has chronicled some of the game's most celebrated moments. His complete understanding of rugby provides his with the ability anticipate what's going to happen in a game and be on the right spot to capture that event.

Peter Bush was born in Auckland in 1931 and played senior rugby for the Marist and College Rifles clubs in the city as well as for Marist in Wellington.

Peter worked for the New Zealand Herald and New Zealand Truth during the '40s and '50s and has worked as a wildlife and agricultural photographer. He was Public Relations Officer for the 1st Battalion New Zealand Regiment in the late 1950s.

He has published two books, Lions '83 and The Game for All New Zealand. Peter lives in Wellington.

Unrivalled rivals

Australia, England and South Africa are the three big All Blacks rivals. Perhaps only the British Isles matches them in terms of being the ones we love to beat. Here's a quick look at the results of games to date.

All games 1900 to 2004 , All Blacks versus:

Australia, won 73, lost 31, drawn 4

England, won 17, lost 4, drawn 1

South Africa, won 34, lost 26, drawn 3.

ENDS

© Scoop Media