Otago rugby legend Charlie Saxton was one of ten inaugural inductees to the Otago Rugby Hall of Fame at the Legends of Carisbrook black tie dinner held at the Forsyth Barr Stadium this evening with grandson Hamish (left) and son Bill (centre), accepting a framed photograph of Saxton presented by Otago Rugby Football Union chairman, Wayne Graham (right).
Invited guests had the opportunity to inspect the new stadium ground and players changing rooms before enjoying a three course dinner with a silent auction for Legends of Carisbrook rugby jerseys and an auction for prizes including a pig hunting trip with Kees Meeuws held during the dinner. After the dinner guests moved through to the Scenic Circle Lounge where the induction presentations were made to conclude the evening.
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The Legends of Carisbrook jerseys (top left) that were up for grabs in the silent auction. The dinner was held in the Heartland Lounge on the fourth level of the new stadium where guests can enjoy spectacular views of the ground below. Entertainer Denis Henderson (right) sang a song especially written to commemorate the legend of Carisbrook.
Guests enjoy pre-dinner drinks and an opportunity to inspect the facilities at ground level of the brand new Forsyth Barr Stadium.
President of the Otago Rugby Football Union, Sir Eion Edgar (left) welcomes guests as the first formal part of the evening gets underway with MC Paul Allison (top right) talking with some of the legends of Otago Rugby from different eras and their memories of Carisbrook.
Guests at the tables during dinner.
The ten inductees to the Otago Rugby Hall of Fame included Jimmy Duncan with Cliff McCauley (bottom left) to accept the presentation on his behalf from Wayne Graham. Other inductees were Jack Hore, with son John (centre) accepting on his behalf, Vic Cavanagh with Ross Falconer (top right) accepting, and Ron Elvidge with John Leslie (bottom right) accepting on his behalf.
Next to be inducted to the Hall of Fame was Kevin Skinner, with brother Jack (top left) accepting on his behalf, Tuppy Diak (bottom left), Laurie Mains (top centre), Richard Knight (bottom centre), and Jeff Wilson with Des Smith (top right) accepting on his behalf. Wayne Graham (bottom right), chairman of the Otago Rugby Football Union, acknowledges sponsors and volunteers who helped make the evening a success and concludes the evenings celebrations.
