The Sydney Harbour Bridge has a blue flag flying high, the Storey Bridge in Brisbane has a maroon flag similarly.
Throughout Queensland maroon strips are in shops, displayed cars, posters, flags …. in New South Wales it is blue.
What is this?
It's not the Queen of Australia visiting us
It's not the Prince of Wales or his heirs or his gran children
It's not the President of the USA
It's not a pop band or the New Orleans Jazz Trio
It's not the Brazilian soccer team
It's a football match.
What, a football match
It's been happening for years, Queensland and New South Wales - Rugby League's best representatives - pit against each other in three fixtures.
In the early years New South Wales bought home the bacon (as it were) and in more recent fixtures Queensland has held the trophy high.
Many rural communities have functions. Churches have State of Origin outreach evenings - many for the fellows gather over a barbeque.
Even if you're a ballet dancer or a saxophonist in the orchestra, you'd have your eyes closed for two months without being aware of this fixture.
Tonight's the night
2019 tonight is the first of three fixtures …. enjoy!
Josh Hinds is a Qld school chaplain and an experienced international sport writers with Christian Today.
Josh Hinds is a school chaplain and an experienced international sport writer, now in his 9th year as a Christian Today sport writer.