IT WAS A CLASSIC SATURDAY at the local pub in Port Hedland. The rugby boys had been approached by a couple of public spirited girls who suggested, for the love of the game, that the boys have a raffle – with one of the girls as first prize! Spencer Black, the assistant manager of the Walkabout Hotel apparently was not overly surprised and kept a dignified distance from the local version of the chook raffle. Chick raffle.
“The two girls spoke to me and in a subtle way put it to me that they were making a sacrifice in the interest of sport.” But, he told police, “There was also some pressure on me from the local rugby players to allow the raffle. I didn’t give approval for it but simply didn’t go near the public bar as I didn’t want a bar of it, but was in an awkward position. I was under pressure from the rugby players and was concerned that the girls were operating with police approval.” Police approval, indeed.
It must be stated that this happened many years ago, in the early 80’s, but nothing much has changed. If nothing else, it is illustrative of a happy-go-lucky modus operandii, to use the professional parlance.