Thank You, Sir Jim
Article from: The Australian
THE only man knighted for services to rugby league, James Jacobi, has died in Brisbane aged 83.
The convivial Sir James -- known ubiquitously as "Jabber" Jim -- worked in Papua New Guinea as a general practitioner for about 40 years, during which time he became the first president of the PNG Rugby League, a position he held for more than 25 years.
He oversaw PNG becoming a member of the International Rugby League Federation, where he represented the country. Consequently, PNG began playing regularly against the Australian, New Zealand, English and French teams.
Sir James's strong personal links with leading Australian administrators helped secure regular tours by the Kangaroos, who enjoy god-like status in PNG.
His surgery developed into the largest practice in Port Moresby, which treated rugby league players for free, together with missionaries and many others who would have struggled to pay the fees.
Sir James grew up in Maryborough, graduated from the University of Queensland, and served in the Royal Australian Air Force in PNG in the final stages of World War II.
Jeff Wall, a Brisbane-based consultant recently awarded a CBE by PNG for services to the country's relationship with Australia, said: "Jim's enormous range of business, political and community contacts were regularly tapped to help develop the greatest game of all in the only country where its place as the national code is unchallenged.
"He was a person of unbounded generosity, and his passion for rugby league -- and the time he put into it despite seeing up to 60 patients a day in his medical practice -- was inspirational." For more than two decades, Sir James led "pilgrimages" of league fans from PNG to grand finals in Sydney.
About 14 years ago, he shifted to Brisbane, where he continued to practise, at a clinic in Chermside, as well as returning frequently to act as a medical locum in PNG.
Among a plethora of colourful anecdotes often circulated about Sir James in Port Moresby, is the occasion when Lionel Murphy, then an opposition Senator, visited the country, with staffer George Negus, to assess progress towards independence.
They were convinced that they were being followed by ASIO operatives, and expressed their consequent annoyance to a group of Rotarians at the bar in the Gateway Hotel.
The locals informed the visitors that it was widely known that Sir James,, also a Rotarian, was the local ASIO "station chief". Eventually, pumped up, the two headed round to his house in the middle of the night to accuse him.
This proved a classic exercise in non-communication, since Sir James had not even heard of the organisation -- though this appeared in the circumstances to reinforce the brilliance of his cover.
He was only, in truth, an agent of rugby league -- for which he received his knighthood in 1991.