We've had some wondrous people
In the history of our sport,
While some have played at football,
Some have run or swum or fought.

And some have played at cricket
And have driven racing cars,
While some were lofting sand irons
Others lifted weights on bars.

They've come from every walk of life
From every port of call,
The one who stands before us
Is quite different to them all.

He played top level rugby
And the Green and Gold he wore,
The back up half to Catchpole
On the tour of sixty four.

And when he'd done with rugby
He'd not lie still for quids,
He turned his hand to swimming
And to coaching Aussie kids.
 

The stories of his coaching
We each may well recall,
And those he's helped to stardom
Have thrilled us one and all

We cheered for Duncan Armstrong
And we cheered for Sieben too,
And wondered if our Laurie
Risked a heart attack or two.

His heart is with his protégés
The pain shows on his face,
He's straining every sinew
As his charges swim their race.

And when the race is over
He'll jump and lunge about,
Some staid and bored officials
Just can't work out Laurie out.

If you should stop to wonder
What drives him on, well then
God gave him all the energy
He'd really meant for ten.

They measured him at five foot eight
They used a tape and all,
No matter how they measured him
The man is ten feet tall.

You just can't think of Laurie
Ever growing slightly old,
Lift a glass to Laurie Lawrence
Who is from a different mould.