PROGRAM TRANSCRIPT: Monday, 15 February , 2016

ADAM GILCHRIST, PRESENTER: Hi. I’m Adam Gilchrist and when I played for Australia, myself and my teammates had a secret weapon. His name is Barry ‘Nugget’ Rees and for nearly six decades he was always there, around the team, supporting players in their time of need. The legend of 'Nugget' was first revealed on Australian Story nine years ago but, as recent events have shown, his role within the team has never been more important. This is his story.

(Footage of Barry 'Nugget' Rees and Frank Dimasi at Adelaide Oval)

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: Look, Peter's got their names on the envelopes now. OK, let's go, 'Nug'. We'll get these tickets up to the south gate, straight away.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah, that's right.

(Two women approach Barry and Frank)

WOMAN 1: Hi, 'Nugget'! How are you?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah, good.

(Woman shakes Barry's hand, then kisses him)

WOMAN 1: Mwah. Can I get you to sign your autograph for me?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah. Yeah, certainly.

WOMAN 1: Can you sign for her too?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah, I certainly will.

WOMAN 2: Thank you.

TONY MCGUINNESS, FMR COACH PORT ADELAIDE AFL: I think the word 'legend' is probably the appropriate one. I think his legend grows bigger each year.

I often watch and think about his connection to people, having known him so long. He knows he's a personality. He knows he's got a profile. Yet he retains that innocence about the way he conducts his life.

(A succession of men walk up and shake Barry's hand)

MAN: 'Nugget', you're a legend, mate. Bloody legend.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Hi. Thanks, mate.

Hey, mate. How ya goin'? How ya goin'?

DIANE SMITH, BARRY'S SISTER: 'Nug', years ago, could just freely walk around Adelaide Oval and say "hello" to people. And, you know, they'd all stop and have a chat. But now, because he is so well known, he has someone that always goes with him as a security.

(Young man comes up to Barry, shakes his hand and pats his shoulder)

YOUNG MAN: Remember me, mate?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah.

YOUNG MAN: How ya goin'?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Ah, good. Off-spin bowler?

YOUNG MAN: That's right. How you goin', 'Nug'?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Good.

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: I've been security for, you know, the top-line players in the Australian team over many years, but Nugget's just as up there with the rest of them. He, he needs that security because he's so much loved and in demand.

(Woman approaches Barry and shakes his hand)

WOMAN 3: Hi, 'Nugget'.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: How ya goin'? How ya goin'?

WOMAN 3: How are you goin'?

DARREN LEHMANN, AUSTRALIAN CRICKET COACH: I’ve never seen anything like 'Nugget' in any other team around the world. He’s become (laughs) highly well known around the world about, you know, Adelaide Oval. And if you’re in Adelaide Oval, you’ll see Barry 'Nugget' Rees.

MARK TAYLOR, COMMENTATOR (archive): And there's that "sea of gold" that Ian Smith talked about. All the Australians rush onto the field. Crowd on their feet...

(Footage of Australian cricket team on Adelaide Oval for practice, January. Barry addresses the team)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Oh, well, good luck, everybody. Good, good - great to see all you boys here again. It’s fantastic - and a lot of the new lads, too. Welcome to all the new lads too. I think- yep.

(Barry and the team applaud)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Good luck to everybody.

STEVE SMITH, CAPTAIN: Usually on our first training day, we get a bit of a speaking from him. He usually gives us the pretty similar things. He always says, you know, "Keep your throws up to the keeper. Catches win matches. Make sure you’re watching the captain." All those things.

(Footage of Barry addressing the team)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: And I know nobody tries to drop catches, so everybody: hold your catches and also watch the skipper singles - signals - and also, like keep watching him. It’s not an easy job for a skipper...

STEVE SMITH, CAPTAIN: I think the first time I met him was a one-day game I played down here. It might have even been on Australia Day. And I was like, "Who's this guy that's in the rooms?" And everyone was like, "What do you mean? What are you talking about? This is Barry 'Nugget' Rees. He's a legend. He's been here for years.

(Footage of Barry addressing the team)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: The keeper's got a very hard job: not an easy job, I don't think. So...

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: If this story can't touch someone's heart, then I really don't know what's going to touch someone's heart, because it's an inspirational story.

(Footage of Barry addressing the team)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: All the best and good luck. Good luck.

(Team applauds)

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: It's something that's started from nothing and what we've done to one person's life, to have him part of the family, is a phenomenal thing. You know, he’s a cricket - for us he’s a cricket icon.

(Excerpt from Australian Story, Feb. 2007. Barry is in cricket whites. He dons leg pads and gloves)

ROD MARSH, FMR TEST CRICKETER: He’s probably the most important person in South Australian cricket. He’s Adelaide Oval. He’s... he's 'Nugget'! I think he’s probably been out for 99 a couple of times: some doubtful LBW decisions. But he always manages to get 100, where ever he plays. When Nugget gets 100 for South Australia, he gets them pretty quickly. He often gets them off about 20 balls. Because the boys - once he’s away with them, I mean, it’s just - it's been going on for so long that he has to have a hit. And he gets the gear on. He gets the helmet on and he gets the batting gloves and he goes out there and... and swats them.

JOHN INVERARITY, FMR TEST CRICKETER: It’s a really wonderful story: how cricket and cricketers - and footballers too - have taken to Barry and greatly enriched his life. But equally, 'Nugget' has enriched the lives of all of those first-class cricketers in Australia. He’s a great character: a wonderful personality. He’s a great facilitator of love - and love and affection and compassion flow to him and from him.

(Footage of Barry batting in practice match)

TEAM MEMBERS: Deck! Go hind! Go! Oh! Go!

Go back.

Four! That's four.

Well done, mate.

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: He’s crossed off every ground in the world, and you know, 'Nugget's average has got to be better than Bradman's now. You know, hell: what a player. And (laughs) you know, we just couldn’t get him out. I don’t know how many times I tried to get 'Nugget' out - and other bowlers like Glen McGrath and Warnie. And 'Nug' almost always got his century. And if not, you’d know he’d score a big one the next time. So, you know: bigger than Bradman!

(Barry comes off the ground after batting. Teammates applaud)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Was, ah - pressure was on and I thought it was very good. Ah, I had a good partner in Trent Kelly, 'Tiger'. He's pretty good between wickets.

TEAMMATE 1: Is that one of your best tons?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Ah, I think, pretty good - yeah, I think it's a pretty good hundred.

TEAMMATE 2: Well played, big fella.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Thanks very much.

TEAMMATE 3: Off you go, mate.

ADAM GILCHRIST, VICE CAPTAIN (2007): The international cricket scene can be a bit of a fantasy world. And 'Nugget' is allowed into that and he’s fulfilling his dreams and living in that fantasy world. And I think it’s amazing how everyone embraces that. It’s often referred to: the ‘Baggy Green Club’; that, you know, the unique few that have played for Australia. Well, Nugget’s... if he’s not one of those - I know technically he’s not, but he’s as close to being a part of that club as anyone who hasn’t actually stepped onto the field physically and played for Australia, as anyone that has ever been.

(Excerpt ends)

(Barry puts on Australian cricket team cap)

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: You wear that when you go away with the Australian team?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah. That’s an Australian cricket bag. They sent it over to me and it had Matthew Hayden’s name on it by mistake. So they took Matthew Hayden’s off and put mine on there.

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: So you’ve got your own bag.

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: He went to school but I guess his schooling: it was only going to ever get to a certain level. And I think it was a lot of perseverance that Dad had with him is how he is today. And anything to do with sport and anything whatsoever, he is much more knowledgeable than I ever will be. And that’s his love.

(Footage of Barry with work colleagues in office)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: I’m going down to get some... the mail and get some milk. Now, I’ve got money for milk: to get milk. Is that a letter to be posted?

DAVID ROWE, BARRY'S FIRST EMPLOYER: Barry and I had been going in business for about two years. And one day 'Nugget’s father, Ray, said, "By the way, I have a son who has a bit of trouble with his education and what have you. Do you think you and Barry could take him on in the shop: you know, just sweeping the floor or whatever?" And it all started from there. That’s back in '62.

BARRY JARMAN, BARRY'S FIRST EMPLOYER AND FMR TEST CRICKETER: And I said, "By the way, who’s your favourite sportsman?" He said, "Mr Miller." And I said, "Oh, 'Nugget' Miller?" And he just nodded his head. And I said, "That’s your name from now on." I hadn’t realised that Nugget’s father had told David that he’s not to go on any messages. Three weeks later his father came in and wanted to take him home. He came in early. And he was out on a message. He said, "Oh, is Barry here?" And I said, "No, he’s out on a message." And he said, "Oh no, no, he mustn’t go out on a message." I said, "Why?" "Oh, no. No, no. He doesn’t understand traffic lights and traffic and all that sort of stuff." And I said, "Well, he’s been doing it for three weeks." (Laughs)

(Footage of Barry in the office)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Excuse me. There’s your iced coffee.

CO-WORKER: How much?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: $3, thanks.

CO-WORKER: How much?!

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: $3.

CO-WORKER: Oh, goodness gracious me.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Oh, give me two. And I'll be happy.

CO-WORKER: No, no, no! It's got to be three.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Thanks very much.

CO-WORKER: I'll give you a tip, too.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Oh, thanks very much.

CO-WORKER: Thanks very much.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Nice tip.

BARRY JARMAN, BARRY’S FIRST EMPLOYER AND FMR TEST CRICKETER : And he turned out to be the best messenger boy in the business. And his father: honestly, today his father would be just so proud.

(Footage of test match: Australia vs. West Indies, 1968)

COMMENTATOR (1968): And a big hit by Jarman.

BARRY JARMAN, BARRY’S FIRST EMPLOYER AND FMR TEST CRICKETER : Well, he loved the cricket because his idol was Keith Miller. And I took him down to a game or two when I was playing for South Australia. And all the players took him on board. And then at one stage I said to 'Nugget's father, "Would he like to go on an interstate tour?" I said I’d look after him. I said, "He can share a room with me." So that’s how it started. He became one of the players. And it was terrific that, when I stopped playing, that a bloke like Ian Chappell took over. And from then on, all the captains, the Australian captains, have done the same thing - which has been marvellous.

(The Australia cricket team arrives at Adelaide Airport. Barry and Diane are there to greet them)

GEORGE BAILEY: We’re going to look after him, though, aren't we.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: No worries. I’m looking after you.

GEORGE BAILEY: Yeah, exactly right.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: I’m looking after you, too.

TEAM MEMBER: No worries.

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: You take care, you boys. And the best of luck to you all. Alright? OK, give us a hug. Bye bye. OK. Bye bye, darling.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: See you. Bye. Bye. Bye.

ROD MARSH, FMR TEST CRICKETER (Australian Story, 2007): Over the last 30 years that I can remember, he’s been away every year. And each and every team, no matter who’s been in it - and I mean, there must be hundreds of players over that time - would have all treated him exactly the same.

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER (Australian Story, 2007): He’d be around the rooms. You’d come off the field and you know, you’re bleeding from the toes and 'Nugget'd take your shoes off for you and have a cold drink ready. And you can have a great, you know, joke with him and you can have a joke against him and he’d have a go at you. It was the full package.

(Footage of Barry greeting Dennis. They shake hands)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: You champion. How are you going?

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: What's this? What's this?

(Dennis jokingly takes Barry's cap off and throws it away)

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: Get out of here. Go get your West Australian one.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Don't you start that.

(Dennis laughs)

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: Not too much luck in this game.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Excuse me?

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: Well, not too much.

(Barry pats Dennis' back)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Come on.

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: A little. A little. I'd hate to send you home without a win, but...

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: With two wins, mate.

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: I have to.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Would be nice.

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: Two?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah, would be nice. You've had your share.

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER (mock exasperation): Oh! Mate, this is what we're here for. We, you know, we've got to win these games, so, and you're saying we can't have any?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: You've had your share.

DENNIS LILLEE, FMR TEST CRICKETER: One win. Let’s shake on one win each.

(They shake hands and laugh)

TONY MCGUINNESS, COACH PORT ADELAIDE AFL (2007): 'Nugget's got three great loves: the Australian cricket team, the South Australian cricket team and the Port Adelaide football club. And the love for all of them is equal.

(Montage of Barry standing outside Port Adelaide football club headquarters, greeting and shaking hands of players as they enter.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: G'day. How ya goin', mate? Thanks, mate. How ya goin'? Happy new year. All the best. Wags, how you goin'?

PORT ADELAIDE PLAYER: Good to see you. Happy new year, mate.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Good, mate. Timesy. How ya goin'? Happy new year, mate. Happy new year.

TONY MCGUINNESS, COACH PORT ADELAIDE AFL (2007): Both cricket and football bring him in to the inner sanctum. And I’ve seen it first-hand with the Port Adelaide football club, having been associated there for the last two years. Last year, in the middle of the year we were struggling. So Mark Williams, the coach, said, "Look, you bring 'Nugget' to training a couple of times a week. The players really relate to him." He just wanted 'Nugget' a little bit more... get a circuit-breaker happening here. Just take the pressure off everybody.

(Footage of Barry addressing the Port Adelaide team in team room)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Five is: no free kicks. No free kicks, but if they tackle you or push you in the back - free kicks - we will take the free kicks. All right? OK?

(Team laughs)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Our way but not their way. Thank you. Number six is: D. Arnfield and Darryl Wakelin, behave.

(Team laughs)

(Barry shakes hands with a team member)

Daniel, congratulations, mate. I just heard something: an engagement. Nice girl? Much much?

(Team laughs)

That's great. Come on! Come on! Come on.

(Team applauds)

TONY MCGUINNESS, COACH PORT ADELAIDE AFL (2007): The circuit-breaker worked. We started winning. And I still think to this day that he made a contribution to the second half of the 2006 season for Port Adelaide.

ROD MARSH, FMR TEST CRICKETER (2007): When you think 'Nugget', you think Adelaide - until such time as the Australian team come to town and then 'Nugget’s the man. He is the man. He's more important than Warne. He’s more important than McGrath and Ponting. 'Nugget’s the man!

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: And the people that he knows: a child or any young cricketing fan would give their (laughs) you know, their eye teeth to be able to know the people that Barry knows. And be involved and do what Barry does with those special people: I don’t think he really does understand the magnitude of it at all, no.

(Footage of 'A Night with Nugget', 2003)

BRETT LEE, AUSTRALIA TEAM MEMBER 1999-2008: Please put your hands together and make him feel welcome at his own occasion: Barry ‘Nugget’ Rees!

(Applause. Footage ends)

TONY MCGUINNESS, FMR COACH PORT ADELAIDE AFL: Well, I first met Nugget in 1985 when I was employed by Rowe & Jarman sports stores. When he finished work at Rowe & Jarman, we just wanted to do something for him which would acknowledge or recognise his contribution to the community, so we had this: 'A Night with Nugget.’ So I was pulling this thing together and I said, "Well, who would you like to come across or speak on your night?" He said, "Oh Steve Waugh." I said, "Oh, 'Nug', that’s the captain of the Australian cricket side, mate. It’s too big. We can’t get him." So he pulls out this little black book, which is the ‘who’s who’ of sporting people from around the world (laughs). And there it is in the Ws: Steve Waugh. Mobile number, da-da-da. I said, "Well, look, mate, you’ve got his number but I can’t just ring him." He said, "That’s alright, Fred. I’ll ring him now." (Laughs) So I said, "So you can ring the captain of the Australian cricket side now?" He said, "Yep." I said, "Well, go on." Alright, so it was a dare.

(Footage of 'A Night with Nugget', 2003)

STEVE WAUGH, AUSTRALIA CAPTAIN (2003): He'll do anything for you. He’s, he has tremendous manners and just a great demeanour about him. So I feel privileged to be a friend of 'Nugget Rees'.

(Applause)

BRETT LEE: Please thank Steve Waugh.

STEVE WAUGH: Thanks.

BRETT LEE: Who led you astray the most, 'Nug'?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Oh, yeah. Hm.

(Audience laughs)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: I know him. I know him. What goes on tour, stays on tour, but...

(Audience laughs and applauds)

IAN CHAPPELL: But.

(Footage ends)

TONY MCGUINNESS, FMR COACH PORT ADELAIDE AFL: He’s very quick-footed. He responds and reacts without hesitation, in a way which is that cross-over between humour and just being super-intelligent. I don’t know what it is. It’s something he’s got in him.

(Footage of 'A Night with Nugget', 2003)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Well, Tim used to tell me how to drink a glass of wine. Yeah. Hm. Straight down.

(Audience laughs)

IAN CHAPPELL: Did you get 100 the next day?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Thank you very much.

(Laughter and applause. Footage ends)

BARRY JARMAN, BARRY’S FIRST EMPLOYER AND FMR TEST CRICKETER : The night they put on for Nugget, the calibre of the people that were there was just fantastic. Ian Chappell said that night: he said, "Make you feel good?" I said, "Yep!" (Laughs)

(Footage of fireworks as crowd assembles at Adelaide Oval, 2007. Barry addresses Australian team in dressing room)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES (2007): OK, boys. Ah, this is an important game. Very important game this is. Knock off the Poms and keep that record going well. And aggressive: you have to be aggressive and bowl long on length and get wickets. And keep the returns up to the keeper and watch the skipper's signals. And make sure Ricky doesn't have to say, "Come over here" and put you in the right places all the time. Come on. The skipper's got that message. Come on. Come on. The three 'P's. Come on. Come on. Come on. Come on, now.

(Team applauds him)

ADAM GILCHRIST (2007): One day after a test match a few years ago, where we’d won a game, he said, "Thank you very much. Thank you." He says, "Much, much, much" a lot of times. But he just said "Thank you" and he looked around the room to a man. He said, "You’ve made me feel really, really good." And that- I’ll never forget that moment. That... I just wanted to grab him. I think everyone did grab him and hug him and just wanted to say to him, "No, mate. It’s the other way around. What you’ve done for us and what you bring to us and our life is just extraordinary. So, thank you, 'Nugget.'"

CAPTION: Nine years later...

(Barry and Frank stand on the ground, Adelaide Oval, January)

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: What’s the best ground you’ve been to, 'Nug'?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Ah...

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: Have you been to Lords?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yes. Yeah, and...

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: How’s that rate with the Adelaide Oval now?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: I still, I think the Adelaide Oval: number one.

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: Number one. Yeah.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: In Brisbane I made 119; and the second highest, 217, in Sydney. And a few other centuries, at all the other grounds. And the, er, Adelaide Oval would be 156, not out.

ADAM GILCHRIST, FMR TEST CRICKETER : Unfortunately time and age catches up with us all and 'Nugget’s: he's hung the bat up. He’s hung the batting gloves up. He’s retired.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: I'm still around with the lads and as a assistant coach at the Australian team, and also the Redbacks and the Strikers.

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: He’s just such an integral part to what we’re about. He gets into it because he has to do everything that the Australian team is doing on that day.

(Footage of Australia cricket team building exercise at Royal Society for Blind, Adelaide)

FACILITATOR: So I want you to blindfold: put yourself under blindfold. And we'll start off with you, Mr Warner. Away you go. Get that hand there. Good.

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: He’s just such an integral part to what we’re about. He gets into it because he has to do everything that the Australian team is doing on that day.

STEVE SMITH, CAPTAIN: Everyone loves taking care of 'Nugget' as much as possible. He’s getting on a bit now and, you know, the guys are always concerned about him and want to care for him.

(Footage of Barry, blindfolded, at team building exercise)

FACILITATOR: Nice and slow and steady. This man know how to go: slow and steady.

(Barry, hands out, slowly walks toward brick wall)

FACILITATOR: Nice one. Plenty of time, no damage. OK.

(Footage of Barry with blacked goggles and long cane. David Warner is with him)

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: Much much?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Much much.

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: Faster, 'Nug'. You can go a bit faster.

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: Like, he’s almost like a father figure to you when you're in another state. He really does look after you; makes you really, really feel welcomed. As soon as he comes up to you, you just know the first two words that are going to come out of his mouth are "much much" - just something he’s always said to us. But I love him to death.

(Footage of Barry with blacked goggles and long cane, slowly walking down staircase. David Warner guides him)

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: One foot, one foot. Yep. One foot down.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Hang on. Where's...

NATHAN LYON, TEST CRICKETER: It’s simply unbelievable, really: the way he carries himself around the team. And you can see guys, younger guys who are coming into the side now probably looked at 'Nug' and get a little bit of inspiration, really.

(Team building exercise ends. Barry takes his goggles off)

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: Much much?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES (laughs): Much much.

(They shake hands)

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: It was easy, wasn't it?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Oh, mate.

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: You weren't listening to me, 'Nug'.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah.

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: You never listen to me.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yes, I did.

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: Sometimes.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES (claps hand on David's shoulder): Oh, mate.

ADAM GILCHRIST, FMR TEST CRICKETER : And what’s most extraordinary is the way it’s been passed on from generation to generation.

(Barry and David shake hands again)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Thanks, player.

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: No problem at all, mate.

(Footage ends)

ADAM GILCHRIST, FMR TEST CRICKETER : I sit and wonder sometimes: is 'Nugget' even aware of that happening? And I suspect not. It’s just another day. It’s business as usual for 'Nugget'.

(Footage of Australia team training)

STEVE SMITH, CAPTAIN: Well, after you get out, he gives it a: "Wasn’t out, mate. Wasn’t out. You didn’t hit that." It’s like, "'Nugget', I reckon I hit it through to the keeper. Yeah, I did." And he goes, "Nuh. No ball. It was a no ball."

ADAM GILCHRIST, FMR TEST CRICKETER : Now, every player that comes into a South Australian team or an Australian team: you can almost see that they are desperate to be a part of the legend of 'Nugget' Rees. He’s just got that big a reach and that big a history in Australian and South Australian cricket that they can’t wait to be a part of it.

NATHAN LYON, TEST CRICKETER: My first test match here was probably my real big experience with 'Nugget': um, being, being around the likes of Michael Clarke, Ricky Ponting, Michael Hussey. And seeing those guys and the way they treated 'Nug' and had fun with him was probably a real eye-opener and really guided me into making sure that I had a good relationship with 'Nugget'.

(Footage of Barry in Adelaide Oval dressing room with team, 2007)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: If you don't know the rules by now, mate, whoa-ho.

(Players laugh)

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: He just changes the mood of a dressing room. It’s almost like he’s got a sixth sense of what’s going on behind the scenes, how you’re feeling. It’s hard to describe, but all I do know is: his feelings are way above ours. His intellect's way above ours: the way he knows you’re feeling, whether you’re hurting, you’re upset, you’re sad, you’re happy. And he changes the mood of a whole room or individually at the same time.

(Footage of Barry in Adelaide Oval dressing room with Glenn McGrath, 2007. Barry shakes Glenn's hand)

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Champion. I didn't know you were going to retire, but...

ADAM GILCHRIST, FMR TEST CRICKETER : And then amazingly, in a very natural transformation, in extraordinary testing times of adversity, both on and off the field, 'Nugget' has become the supporter, not the supportee.

JUANITA PHILLIPS, PRESENTER (ABC TV News, 27 Nov. 2014): Tonight, Australia loses a star cricketer. Phillip Hughes dies from head injuries in hospital.

JAMES SUTHERLAND, CEO, CRICKET AUSTRALIA (ABC TV News, 27 Nov. 2014): The word 'tragedy' gets used too often in sport, but this freak accident is now a real-life tragedy.

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: One of the biggest times we’ve used 'Nugget' is when Phillip Hughes died. We came to Adelaide for the first Test match. And, look, to be perfectly honest, as coach I didn’t know how we would go in that Test match. I didn’t even know whether those 12 players we picked would actually make the game on day one against India. And 'Nug' was fantastic at that time. We brought him in and he gave the first speech. And it was quite an emotional speech that actually put us into - you know, got some tears out.

SPORTS REPORTER (ABC TV News, 9 Dec. 2014): Opener David Warner was intent on honouring his teammate and didn’t hide his emotions as he reached 63, a score that will be forever linked to Hughes.

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: When you just saw 'Nug's face, you automatically had a... it was more like a sense of relief, in a way: that if 'Nugget' was happy, everything was going to be OK and we know we could heal together in that process.

SPORTS REPORTER (ABC TV News, 9 Dec. 2014): Hughes remained at the forefront of the Australians’ thoughts, though, as Steve Smith became the second batsman to reach 63.

SPORTS COMMENTATOR (Ch. 9): Acknowledges a mate and makes the moment ever more poignant.

NATHAN LYON, TEST CRICKETER: When you look back and you always want to try and remember the good things of a good mate who left us too soon. But 'Nug' always pointed out those funny little things and got the mood lightened a little bit to try and help and get over that thing.

ADAM GILCHRIST, FMR TEST CRICKETER : When it’s as difficult as losing one of your best mates, under tragic circumstances, I think it was a masterstroke that Darren got him around the players and the South Australian players as quickly as possible. They would have felt great comfort.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: I don't think any of the players have got over it as, still, they still remember what happened. And I feel sorry for the fast bowler who did it because he never... I don't think he ever tried to hurt somebody, but accidents do happen.

(Footage of Barry and Darren Lehmann in Adelaide Oval changing rooms. Darren points to Phil Hughes' locker)

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: What about that? He sat here, didn't he? He used to? Little champ?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah, our mate, our great brother, Phil Hughes. Yep. Oh, great man.

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: He was a great man, wasn’t he.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yep. And we will never, ever forget him.

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: No, we won't, champion, we won't. Righto, let's move along.

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: And he was so good in that eight days of the Adelaide Test match. It worked so well and the boys had worked so hard to get up and play that game. Our sports psych said we should take 'Nug' with us for that second week, the Brisbane Test match.

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: Realising of course that he was not able to travel by himself, they said, "Look, we’re willing for you to go with him." (Footage of Australia vs. India Test match, Brisbane, Dec. 2014. Barry stands with the coach and team as the national anthem is sung)

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: One of the very special moments was seeing 'Nugget', my brother, walk out there. I just looked at it. I thought: I cannot believe it. That is my brother out there. It's wonderful to think that the boys that were there are a whole new, different era - and yet they still accept 'Nug' and enjoy having him there.

DAVID WARNER, VICE CAPTAIN: I love just, you know, just hanging with him. And he's so level headed, keeps you going as well. And always have a great conversation about batting, 'cause he gives me the added confidence to go out there and believe in myself.

STEVE SMITH, CAPTAIN: He just, he just loves Australia. He loves us to win.

(Footage of World Cup, Melbourne, Mar. 2015)

SPORTS COMMENTATOR (Ch. 9): Smith heaves it away. That'll do it! Steve Smith fittingly hits the winning runs and Australia are champions of the world.

(Footage ends)

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: We took him also that summer to the World Cup final, which was again an emotional time for us.

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: Winning the World Cup: well, it was just sensational. And 'Nug' went out and celebrated with the boys 'til very early hours in the morning.

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: It was an amazing summer, full stop. And 'Nug' was a big part of that success that summer. Without him, you know, I don’t know how we would’ve gone. Under ICC regulations, basically, you’ve got to be a player or a coach to get an ICC medal. And we were lucky enough to present him - and I was very emotional presenting him - with that World Cup medal as a "thank you" on behalf of the players and support staff for everything he did during that summer.

STEVE SMITH, CAPTAIN: You know, just the joy on his face when we handed it over to him: it was absolutely amazing and he absolutely loved it.

DARREN LEHMANN, COACH: And we’re all both teary and everyone’s teary in the room and we're trying to... Then he comes out with some wisecrack and everyone’s laughing again. He just picks up a room. So it was a really emotional moment for myself and the team.

(Footage of Australia team gathering in hotel lobby)

AUSTRALIA TEAM MEMBER: Just got the old...

(He looks behind Barry. Barry wears team shirt with 'NUGGET' on the back)

AUSTRALIA TEAM MEMBER: There you go. Hey?

DIANE SMITH, BARRY’S SISTER: That's new.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah, that's new.

AUSTRALIA TEAM MEMBER: How good's that?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: I got that yesterday.

TONY MCGUINNESS, FMR COACH PORT ADELAIDE AFL: Clearly he does something for those guys - and it’s the same with football - that nobody else can provide.

(Footage of Australia team gathering in hotel lobby)

NATHAN LYON, TEST CRICKETER: Ready to go?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yes, mate. How'd you get on last night? Good sleep?

NATHAN LYON, TEST CRICKETER: Yeah, good sleep.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Good.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Catches win matches.

NATHAN LYON, TEST CRICKETER: Yeah, they do, don't they.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Much much.

NATHAN LYON, TEST CRICKETER: Yeah.

TONY MCGUINNESS, FMR COACH PORT ADELAIDE AFL: I’m really proud for Nugget that that continues. And there’s no reason for it not to continue because of who he is. I see Darren Lehmann talking about an honouring of naming rights to a grandstand at Adelaide Oval. And you look at other people who have been honoured in such a way: you'd nearly argue he should be before anybody else.

ADAM GILCHRIST, FMR TEST CRICKETER : I cannot support enough Darren Lehmann’s push for 'Nugget' to have a stand named after him at the Adelaide Oval. Six generations, six decades he's been around that team and around the various teams of South Australia and Australia. And I see no evidence of that diminishing: his role within that team and those teams - and the importance of that role. Nugget’s legacy is embedded in me and in all my team-mates that shared in that experience with Nugget. And I hope it continues on forever.

(Barry and Frank stand on the ground at Adelaide Oval. Frank gestures off-screen)

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: It'll be the Barry 'Nugget' Rees stand: that's you. That's where you belong, mate.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yeah, I hope so. If it's not, the South Australian dressing room.

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: No, well, you've got all the football side of the stadium there, the cricket side here. And you're in between. You bring both football and the cricket together, don't you, mate?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Yep.

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: Catches win?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Catches win matches and keep the returns up to the keeper. And hold your catches and, ah, make sure you watch the skipper's signals.

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: And the most important thing?

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: Move in.

FRANK DIMASI, HEAD TEAM SECURITY: Have fun.

BARRY 'NUGGET' REES: And also have fun. Mm.



UPDATE:

In November 2016 Barry "Nugget" Rees was recognised after it was announced the players' viewing room at the Adelaide Oval would be named in his honour.

The South Australian Cricket Association said the room would be named the "Barry 'Nugget' Rees Viewing Room". The association also awarded Barry with a life membership for his services to the game.