‘THE Dirty Red Digger” was a particularly well researched and constructed concert which utilised varied musical styles, multimedia and history to draw parallels between rugby league players and the harsh realities of war.   

Michael Sollis, director of The Griffyn Ensemble, used his own football career and the 100th anniversary of the Anzac landings as a launching pad to examine the horrors of war, the young men who gave up their football to join that war and modern-day league players who face their own battles with depression and drug/alcohol dependence but who, like soldiers, find comfort and support in the family of “a team”.

While archival wartime footage, contrasted by interviews with modern Gungahlin Bulls players, formed the nucleus of the story telling, music was integral and Michael composed no less than 11 new works for the concert.

Styles varied from shimmeringly atmospheric and drivingly rhythmic to reflectively sad and included sing-a-long ditties, folk songs, laments, country music yarns, a Joplin-like rag and vaudeville comedic moments. As is expected of The Griffyn Ensemble, playing was of the highest standard with the challenge of all stylistic variations met with confidence and competence.

Susan Ellis, the crystal-clear soprano with beautiful tone and excellent diction, was outstanding as she led much of the story telling, but all members of the group contributed to the narrative as well as enhancing the show with their fine playing In addition to the new compositions, program content included songs written during the war years as well as clever arrangements of songs by Jimmy Barnes and Eric Bogle.

The stories of Ted Larkin, Tony Redmond and boxer Les Darcy, along with references to the working-class origins of rugby league in the north of England, then contrasted with the death of young Bulls player Chris (Robbo) Robinson, provided fascinating insight into aspects of Australian military and sporting history most likely not previously examined.

Well done to Michael Sollis and The Griffyn Ensemble; “The Dirty Red Digger” provided important social commentary and the significance of the stories told in song and tale deserve worthy recognition as important additions to our heritage and history.