George Paget

An early southern import who played in the very first game of the 20

His relocation to Queensland was precipitated by his employment. He drove cattle from South Australia up the Birdsville track to places such as Thargomindah, Windorah, Bedourie and Victoria River Downs. When at home he played for various clubs, settled in Queensland and started farming on the Gold Coast. Was a huge success story pre-World War 1, playing a key role in code’s popularity revival and the escape from a slump which had followed an 1880s golden era.

He was part of the Wynnum Gordon’s 1909 premiership and also spent time at the Brisbane, Ipswich, Wests and City clubs. Captained Wynnum and Ipswich and was known to travel up to 40 miles by horse for a game. A member of Queensland’s first interstate team of the new era in 1904, he played for his state every year until 1912, except 1911 when were no interstate games. Was Queensland vice-captain from 1905-09 and captained his adopted State in 1910. In 1912 he was part of a Brisbane team that played matches against Central Queensland and Mt Morgan.

He received a gold medal as best player of this series and his stellar play had CQ rugby enthusiasts lamenting … “We regretted George was not a member of the rugby union – his pace, dash and judgment would earn him a place in any rugby team in Queensland.” Was also a committee member of the Mt Cotton Racing Club when he lived in the Redland District.

th century at the Botanical Gardens in 1904, he was a half back flanker cum rover renowned for pace, skill, elusiveness and work ethic. Born on the Port Louis Island of Mauritius in 1871 to an English father and a French Mauritian mother, he started his career in the lower grades at South Melbourne and played senior representative football in Adelaide and Broken Hill before moving north.