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Thu Nov 19 2026 at 06:00 pm to 07:30 pm UTC+11:00

International Men's Day: Author Talk - Rugby League in the 1980s

  • Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre · Bankstown
  • From AUD 5.00
Canterbury Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centres Publisher / Host Canterbury Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centres
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International Men's Day: Author Talk -   Rugby League in the 1980s
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Celebrate International Men’s Day with an evening of footy, stories and nostalgia!
About this Event

Remember when rugby league was tough, colourful and full of larger-than-life characters?

Before the modern game, there was the 80s.


Join acclaimed rugby league authors Alan Whiticker and Ian Collis as they take you back to the unforgettable 80s, exploring the decade that changed the game forever.

Their book, Rugby League in the 1980s – The Power and the Passion, captures the players, personalities and moments that defined the era, from premiership glory and controversial moments to fierce rivalries and the birth of State of Origin.

Alan and Ian will also revisit the Bulldogs’ glory days of the 1980s, sharing stories of the players, rivalries and unforgettable moments that had Canterbury-Bankstown buzzing.


When: Thursday 19 November

Where: Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Rd, Bankstown

Time: 6 -7.30pm

Cost: $5.00


Please note: Refreshments will be served from 5.30pm


A bookseller will be on site with copies of the book for purchase and signing,

Our event venue is accessible with accessible bathrooms and parking available.


Accessibility Information:

Canterbury-Bankstown Library is committed to providing inclusive library services and programs. Please email [email protected].

Our venue is accessible with ramp, accessible bathrooms, and parking available.



About the book:

The power and the passion
The 1980s saw rugby league transform from brutal battlefield to entertainment spectacle. It changed almost beyond recognition.


Rugby League in the 1980s was a time of unforgettable moments, major controversies and big personalities. Major on-field rules changes clamped down on violence and unleashed the spectacle. Meantime, progressive officials, in tune with social changes, re-shaped the game off-field too creating a series of pop culture moments.


Rugby League in the 1980s: the Power and the Passion captures the characters that made the 1980s so great as well the great games, the premiership deciders and internationals.


About the Author:

Ian Collis was an accountant for 24 years specialising in taxation, Ian saw an opportunity in the field of sports statistics where he developed NRL statistics and Fox Sports statistics.

Over the last 25 years, Ian has written more than 30 books including 15 on rugby league. He also has written extensively on Sydney’s history, including the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, and several bestselling books on the history of cricket.


Alan Whiticker is an author, commissioning editor and international publisher and the author of more than 50 books, the most recent being The Blues: NSW's State of Origin. This is his 25th book on rugby league.

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Event venue & nearby stays

Bankstown Library and Knowledge Centre, 80 Rickard Rd, Bankstown, Australia

Tickets AUD 5.00
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