The South Sydney First Grade Past Players web-site (ssralmanac) listed this player as Arthur McCallum. It indicated that he came across to South Sydney Rugby League Club in 1908 from the South Sydney Rugby Union Club.
A search of public records does not identify an Arthur McCallum in the South Sydney District. There is also no record of a McCallum playing for the South Sydney Rugby Union Club in 1907 or any time prior. So who was he?
The South Sydney Rugby League team had plenty of talent in 1908 and were the inaugural premiers. Arthur McCallum only played two First Grade games in 1908. He would nevertheless have had to have been a reasonable player to make the South Sydney First Grade squad. A search was undertaken for players with the surname McCallum who played elite level football and resided in or near the South Sydney District.
Brothers Alexander Henry McCallum and Donald James McCallum were identified. They were born in Port Chalmers, New Zealand. The brothers played for the Marcus Clark Rugby Union team in the Wednesday rugby union competition, circa 1903 to 1906. Alexander also played with the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Union Club.
