It was the year of Chernobyl, Halley’s Comet and Top Gun.
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But, for Junee, these events of 1986 paled in comparison to the Diesels’ triple premiership win.
Now, 30 years on, players from Junee’s winning under 18s, reserve grade and first grade sides will come together again for a reunion weekend this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Reunion organiser Donna Willis said many faces from those original teams will be back in town to re-live their glory days.
“All of the first graders are coming back,” Mrs Willis said.
“There’s a few missing out of the reggies and maybe four or five out of the 18s but most of them will be here.”
Arguably the best known player from the first grade side and the man who kicked two field goals on that historic day back in 1986, Laurie Daley will also be in attendance, just days after this year’s final State of Original game.
The reunion will kick-off at the Red Cow Hotel at 6pm on Friday where “the boys will probably put on the first grade grand final on the TV”.
On Saturday, the former players have been invited to the Old Boys’ tent to watch the current Junee Diesels take on South City, before retiring back to Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club for dinner.
On Sunday morning, the reunion will move to the Commercial Hotel for a recovery breakfast.
While tickets are no longer available to Saturday night’s dinner, the community is welcome to join the party after the official program finishes, at a cost of $10 at the door.
Saturday night will also include an auction, which includes Sydney Roosters memorabilia, donated by ‘86 coach Brian Gray.
While some proceeds from the reunion will go back into the rugby league club, most of the profits will go to Cooinda Court for their sprinkler system retrofit fund.
The weekend promises to be a boon not just for the Diesels, but also the Junee community as a whole.
”We will have an influx of visitors,” Mrs Willis said.
“I think most motels and pubs are booked out. It’s pretty good for the town and we’re spreading the money around – we’re at the club, the footy, the Red Cow and the breakfast is at the Commercial Hotel.”
