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PICKERING BROOK SPORTS CLUB HISTORY UPDATED The people of the Darling Range were scattered through
the hills on small land allotments struggling to create a living after
clearing, by hand, their land and planting fruit trees and vegetables. Socials
became an important part of their life style. Whether it be a gathering in a
secluded patch of bush for a picnic or an amateur match of cricket or tennis on
a cleared patch of bush near the house. Hector Price tells us that there were
not enough young people to make up full teams but cricket was “an obsession”.
It was frequently played with only two on each side. The batting side provided
the wicket keeper – or backstop – and the bowling team provided one fielder who
usually played at square leg, which argues for some fairly rustic batting. Early attempts at Australian Rules
Football also happened with a report of a junior match between Pickering Brook
and Canning Mills in June 1907. It resulted in a win for Pickering Brook
scoring 5 goals 3 behinds to Canning Mills 3 goals 7 behind. T. Humphrey of
Pickering Brook kicked 3 goals and P Began of Canning Mills kicked 2 goals. |
EARLY
PICKERING BROOK FOOTBALL CLUB |
These evolved as the years passed and meant that more
permanent areas were created on which these gatherings could be held, and
therefore they became more regular. Tennis courts were built by Fred Wallis at Lawnbrook
Road, Walliston, Harry Westons at Pickering Brook, the Shadforths (now Giglias
next to Vincis) on Pickering Brook Road and later, John Padgett on Patterson
Road at Pickering Brook. Small groups were created to play on a regular basis. One
such group became the South Kalamunda Sports Club in 1919, which met at Fred
Wallis’ at Walliston. Fred was very sporting minded and encouraged many sports
to be played. After returning from World War 1, he built tennis courts, cricket
pitches and grassed bowling areas on his property in Lawnbrook Road. |
SOUTH
KALAMUNDA CRICKET CLUB c1919 #2 Back Row: Fred Walls, unknown, unknown, Bob Logie, unknown, unknown, next row: Dick Griffiths, Bill Logie, Harry Weston, Jesse Moore, front row Jack Wallis, Harold Littley |
LAWN BOWLS AT WALLIS . Mr. PETTIT & Mr. WALLIS (Date Unknown) #3 |
Because cricket became very popular in the district, the
club grew and now needed a permanent area to call their own. In December 1919,
Harry Weston moved a motion at the Darling Range
Road Board Meeting that the Board apply to the Water Supply Department for an
area to be set apart as a recreation reserve at Pickering Brook. The Under
Secretary of Water Supply replied that it had no objections to the leasing of a
piece of land to the Board at Pickering Brook for recreation purposes, subject
to the conditions that as little clearing as possible be done; that the
Department’s sanitary conditions be strictly adhered to; and that any orders
for the enforcement of sanitation be at once complied with. This group became the Pioneer Sports Club in 1920 with
the cricket team containing a number of players from the Pickering
Brook/Carilla areas. These included Jesse Moore, Frank Weston and Harry Weston.
It played matches with the returned soldiers from
St. Andrews Convalescent Home, which is now Saint Brigid’s College, in
Lesmurdie. These Soldiers had been injured by gas and shrapnel in the 1914-1918
war. |
CRICKET CLUB BASED AT ST. ANDREWS CONVALESCENT HOME 1914 – 1921 #4 |
St. ANDREWS CONVALESCENT HOME
c1910 #5 Now St Brigid's College, Lesmurdie |
St. ANDREWS CONVALESCENT HOME
c1910 #6 Now St Brigid's College, Lesmurdie
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PIONEER CRICKET CLUB #7
'Pretoria' 98 Lawnbrook Road, Walliston, 1920 - 1936. |
The second annual general meeting of
the Pioneer Sports Club, was held on the night of September 28th
1920, at the residence of Harry Weston, Pickering Brook. There was a record
attendance of members, who listened attentively to the reading of the balance
sheet and the secretary’s report, which were accepted. Members expressed keen
satisfaction at the progress the club had made. During the last 12 months many
forms of sports had been inaugurated, in which young and old all participated.
The tennis branch reported very favourable progress, three or four tournaments
having been played within the last few months, when the weather had permitted. Every
prospect is again held out for the cricket team, which last year won all
honours in the Darling Range Cricket Association, only being defeated in one
match. The Secretary of the Pioneer Sports
Club, Mr. H. C. Mason, wrote to the Darling Range Road Board requesting
permission to lease the reserve at Pickering Brook for the cricket season.
Permission was granted at a cost of 2/6 (25 Cents) per annum. A concrete cricket pitch was laid about 1922 on
which to play. Over the next few years, the popularity waned and even with
people from the Carmel and Roleystone areas joining in, there was barely enough
to make up two teams for social games. There were very few coming from Carilla,
then known as Number One Mill, an area which then was mainly in the development
stage.
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However other sports were
attracting new interest. There was some interest in Australian Rules Football
but lack of numbers precluded this sport developing to any extent. It was not
until 1923 that there appears to have been enough players to have formed a
soccer side – eleven was the most that could be mustered so Australian Rules
was out. Pickering Brook represented the Kalamunda district in a draw against
the reigning champions Victoria Park which ended in an honourable draw. A tennis court was erected on the
Pickering Sports Ground about 1922-24 and this was probably the nucleus of, or
the beginning of, the Pickering Brook Sports Club, although it was not
organized as such at that time. There were also a few private tennis courts
built in the mid 1920's. In 1924
many who had previously supported the Karragullen Sports Club, met regularly at
Pickering Brook, for Tennis on two courts situated on the property of Harry
Weston, situated below Mooney's Cool Store. Weston's shed cum hall, was used
for social gatherings prior to the construction of the Carilla Hall in 1925. |
TENNIS PLAYERS AT WALLIS' COURTS 1925 #8 |
A Progress Association Committee was formed in
January 1925 and after several interviews with the
Under Secretary for Lands, was successful in getting the land adjoining the
school ground granted for a hall site and recreation ground. The Minister for
Works had given favourable consideration to the application for a loan of 350
Pounds ($700), subject to the balance, 350 pounds ($700) being subscribed by
the residents. In connection to this Messrs Hayes, Shaw and Bevan were elected
trustees. Enthusiasm gathered momentum, and a month later a Pickering
Brook Sports Meeting was advertised in the “Sunday Times”, to be held on March
21st 1925 at No. 1 Siding – Pickering Brook. In promoted a programme of many and varied events plus good prize
money. A total of Fifty Pounds ($100) in prizes. Log Chop. Maiden Underhand,
Boys Chop, Sheffield Handicap, Sprint, Drag Saw, Ladies Race, Children’s Races,
Old Buffers Race, Three Legged Race, Obstacle Race, Sack Race, High Jump plus
numerous other events. Sports start 1.30. Nominations to be handed to R.
Thorley, Sports Secretary. Authorised by Mark Waters, Chairman and Bert Bevan,
Hon. Secretary. The members of the Progress Association have made considerable
progress in clearing the hall site and sports ground, during recent Sunday
afternoons, and have been ably assisted by the ladies committee attending to
refreshments. The committee hope to have the hall floor ready for open air
dancing in time for the Sports Meeting being held later in March. Following are the results of this
Sports Meeting held at No. 1 Siding, Pickering Brook on March 21st 1925. Drag Saw Contest: R. Thorley 1, G. Watson 2 Meanwhile, the push for a permanent
recreation reserve at the other end of the townsite had resulted in an area of
lands being surveyed as a Recreation Reserve for Pickering Brook. In 1925, the
Darling Range road Board granted the lease of the reserve at Pickering Brook to
the Pioneer Sports Club and the first building was erected. This was a shed
made of tin and hessian with a galvanised iron roof and a bush shelter under a
gum tree. It was inhabited by a tramp for a while who used to move out on
Sundays when sport was in progress and then move back in when play had
finished. The Board approved the leasing of the Recreation Reserve to the
Pioneer Sports Club for an annual fee of 2/6 (25 Cents). However, although very pleased with
this decision, Frank Weston raised his concern to the fact that a track used by
him passed through the middle of the area and that if the reserve was ever
fenced it would cause major problems. The Darling Range Road Board resolved to
explain that the survey would be inconvenient to the Board and a new survey
will be appreciated, the existing track to be the boundary. Two years later, in 1927, the Cricket
Team of the Pioneer Sports Club, now called the Pickering Brook Cricket Club,
was still very strong and competed in matches both at home and away. The
results of one match held at Sawyers Valley has been obtained and is listed
below. The Pickering Brook Cricket Club journeyed to Sawyer’s Valley
last Sunday to play the local team, and were defeated by 150 runs. Scores – Sawyer’s Valley, 214. In July 1927 a Soccer team was formed at Carilla, near Pickering Brook. They became affiliated
and expressed their intention to apply for entry into the metropolitan league
the following year with the idea of competing with metropolitan clubs at
Carilla. This club went through a number of name changes from the
Kalamunda-Carilla Soccer Club, to the Darling Range Soccer Club. Many of their
players came from the Pickering Brook and Carilla areas.
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Convalescent cricket team and local players #9 |
Another tennis court was constructed in 1930 on the
reserve at Pickering Brook by the Pioneer Sports Club. |
Kalamunda Soccer Club Champions Division 2 1931. #10 |
Darling Range Soccer Team, c1932. #11 |
The Darling Range Soccer Club has
been disbanded in 1932, and a year later affiliation was granted to the new Pickering
Brook Soccer Club. The first buildings on the reserve
fell into disrepair during the Second World War but was repaired in 1946 when
it was possible to resume local sorts again. In 1947 the Sub-Branch of the
R.S.L. had reformed and quickly became very active in promoting local sports
and games meetings. A Boys Club was created within the R.S.L. group and they
performed gymnastics in the Carilla Hall and played cricket at a cricket pitch
that was built in a small reserve next to the hall, where the Pickering Brook
Heritage Park is situated today. A year later a sports meeting was
arranged to be held on November 10th. A list of requirements was
compiled as follows; 1. Return of Lavatories 2. Prepare Grounds, Race Track
& Log Chop area 3. Erection of stalls for
Refreshments, Bar, Committee Room, Sweat Wheel & other games 4. Canvas the district for
donations of fruit, Vegies, Tea, Sugar, Butter, Milk, etc. 5. Sports Programme, Prize Money. 6. Notices to be printed. 7. Refreshments – 100 gallon Beer
plus 2 Cases, Ginger Beer?, Ice Cream?, Hire Glasses? 8. Water tank & hose. 9. Savs & Rolls. Admission one shilling. Novelties – Pipe Band,
Sweat Wheel, Darts. |
Charlie Spriggs organised a cricket match in 1948 which was attended by 40 people. The meeting was so successful that it started what is now the Pickering Brook Sports Club. Ernie and George Holroyd, Jack Negroni and Alex Niven led the local settlers in clearing an area for the cricket pitch. This first cricket match was held under a large old gum tree on the edge of what is now, the No. 2 Fairway of the Pickering Brook Golf Club. The tree is still there today and is marked by a plaque paying tribute to those early players. It is also listed as a recognised Historical Site by the Heritage Council of Western Australia PLAQUE RECOGNISING THE EARLY CRICKET MATCH. |
HISTORIC SITE - OLD GUM TREE. PHOTO APRIL 2008 #13 |
EARLY SPORTS DAY MEETING UNDER THE OLD GUM TREE. GENTLEMAN WITH HAND ON HIP IS GEORGE WHITTLE. #14 |
THE OLD GUM TREE PHOTOGRAPHED FROM SIMILAR POSITION. COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE MOUNTED ON ROCK IN FRONT . PHOTO APRIL 2008 #15
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ERNIE HOLROYD AT SPORTS CLUB #16 |
In the late forties, Silio Di Marco and others
formed a Soccer Team at Karragullen. The Armadale-Kelmscott Road Board built a
very satisfactory playing ground for them in 1948. It was opposite where the
old Karragullen Hall used to be on O'Meagher's Road. The event became very popular
with the metropolitan soccer teams as they used to book ahead to come to play a
game with them on a Sunday and then afterwards combine it with a family picnic.
Later Charlie Spriggs convinced this team to amalgamate with Pickering Brook to
play at their sports ground which had better facilities. The recently formed Pickering Brook Sports
Committee held their first Soccer match in May 1949. The game was marked by the
energy and enthusiasm of the players that gave encouragement to this section of
the sports committee.
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GEORGE "POM" HOLROYD IN
SOCCER UNIFORM #17 |
SILIO DI MARCO
KARRAGULLEN SOCCER CLUB #18 |
CARILLA (PICKERING BROOK) SOCCER TEAM
Date unknown #19 |
As sporting activities were on the
move again after a few quite years, in December 1949 at the Pickering Brook
Sports Club a group of local enthusiasts, led by Charlie
Spriggs, built the first weather-board and asbestos club house on the Pickering Brook Reserve, having received some
funding from the Darling Range Road Board. The completed cost was 50 dollars
($100). By the end of December they were underway building a bowling alley. So
Tennis, Cricket, Soccer and Bowls were now being played regularly. |
RARE VIEW OF THE OLD CLUB CANTEEN #20 |
CHARLIE SPRIGGS, MYTLE McCORKILL, MRS SPRIGGS & MAVIS GODBOLD |
Over the next few years things really gathered momentum.
A permanent BBQ was built at the Sports Ground, the Pickering Brook Tennis Club
held a number of fund raising dances at the Carilla Hall and many competition
matches were held with neighbouring cricket and soccer clubs. |
DART THROWING STALL FOR PICKERING BROOK R.S.L.
#22 |
ERNIE
HOLROYD AT THE R.S.L. STAND #23 |
Pickering Brook had now assumed the
mantle of the sporting centre of Kalamunda area. From small beginnings in 1920,
the original sporting area grew under the Whitlam Labor Government to one of
the biggest single sporting complexes in the whole of Australia. In the early
1950’s about 30 local people each put in 20 pounds ($40) to build a golf course
and a club house which was granted a liquor licence. It was a self-help job by
the local people. In December 1950 at the Darling Range
Road Board Meeting, discussion centred around what the main requirements for
this fast growing sporting complex. They were a shelter shed, change rooms and the
clearing of timber and rocks to provide an area for cricket and football. The
Board stated that a compressor could be made available to assist with
blasting rocks, etc. Also Mr. Godbold asked about the
possibility to extend the existing reserve northward to include railway land. The Pickering Brook P. & C.
Association and the Pickering Brook Sports Club applied for improvements to the
Pickering Brook Reserve. The Board decided that consideration of any
development work be deferred until next financial year and that the Sports
Committee be informed that only one amount of 15 pounds ($30) (as already
promised) is available at the present time for extensions to existing
lavatories. Finally in August 1952 the new Club
Rooms on the Recreation Ground were completed and to celebrate the opening, the
Pickering Brook Sports Club held a huge Sports Day and Gymkhana. Three busloads
of visitors from Perth joined the locals and all had a lovely day. In the
evening, a dance was held at Carilla Hall, as there was too large a crowd for
the small club room. |
OLD CLUBHOUSE WITH MYRTLE McCORKILL STANDING IN FRONT 1960's #24 |
Raymond Cecil Owen, on behalf of The
Pickering Brook Sports Club, applied for the Club to be Incorporated, on June
14th 1953. Later that same year, on Saturday,
November 7th, the Pickering Brook Sports Club held a monster
carnival and fair on the Pickering Brook Sports Ground. Mr. Ray Owen officially
opened the fair with some well-chosen remarks and much credit is due to the
President, Mr. George Spriggs, Secretary, Mr. Harry Godbold, and their
Committee for the well organised sports and events which kept going from 11
a.m. until 5.30 p.m. All ages and classes were catered for, children’s races,
decorated bicycles, cycle races, motor cycle races, tractor events, horse
events, married ladies’ races and old buffers’ race, musical chairs in motor
vehicles and the most hilarious, the draught horse derby and many other events
which were all well contested. The horse events were well worth watching and
the young riders were a credit to their teachers, the boys tractor race showed
how well these boys worth at home helping father, they handled the tractors
with confidence and efficiency. In the evening, a dance and barbecue
was held at Carilla Hall which was packed with happy folk who enjoyed dancing
for which Mrs. Taylor’s orchestra played and Mr. Spinney gave several items on
his piano-accordion, which were very popular. There had not been such a night
at Carilla for several years. Those who were hungry grilled their chops over
the fires and really enjoyed them and the ladies served cups of tea. A fitting
end to a very successful day.
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PICKERING
BROOK GARAGE #25 |
The Francias Brothers, who had
recently opened the Pickering Brook Garage and were Agents for Winterbottom
Motors displayed a wide range of Austin and Dodge vehicles on the Pickering
Brook Sports Ground for the day. These Sports Club Carnivals and Fair
proved so popular that they quickly became an annual event over the following
years.
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GROUP AT SPORTS GYMKHANA IN FRONT OF ORIGINAL
SPORTS CLUB BUILDING #26 |
HAZEL GILLESPIE AT SPORTS GYMKHANA 1952 #27 |
PICKERING BROOK GYMKHANA IN THE 1950'S. |
LOG CHOP AT PICKERING BROOK GYMKHANA IN THE
1950'S. #29 |
PICKERING BROOK GYMKHANA IN THE 1950'S. |
LADIES LOG CHOP, PICKERING BROOK GYMKHANA, IN THE 1950'S #31 |
LINING UP FOR THE GREASY PIG EVENT. |
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CHARLIE SPRIGGS AND ALICE BEARD OUTSIDE THE OLD CLUBHOUSE |
PIPE BAND AT PICKERING BROOK ANNUAL CARNIVAL
1958 IN FRONT OF BEARD'S PICKERING BROOK STORE #34 |
SPORTS CLUB MERRY-GO-ROUND #35 |
The first composite Bowling “Green” in this State was opened on
19th March 1961, at the Pickering Brook Sports Club and was laid
down under the direction of the Shell Company’s bitumen engineer, using Terolas
bitumen emulsion and rubber buffings supplied by Dunlop Rubber Company. Pat and Frank Granger joined the Pickering Brook
Sports Club in 1962 because of the family atmosphere.
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OPENING OF
NEW BOWLING “GREEN” AT PICKERING BROOK SPORTS CLUB #36 |
RON GILCRIST, BOB LA BIANCA, PETER HITCHINS,
ERNIE MASON, |
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THE OLD CLUBHOUSE BEFORE REBUILDING 1963 #38 |
REMOVING THE OLD CLUBHOUSE ROOF #39 The first step was to remove the old roof from the existing clubhouse. All the timber was recycled. |
THE OLD ROOF DISMANTLED #40 |
THE STEEL ROOF FRAMES TAKE SHAPE #41 Next step in the process was to erect a steel frame over the top of the existing clubhouse. This enabled members to still have use of the facilities. |
STEEL ROOF FRAMES UP AND THE BRICKIES START #42 |
THE NEW ROOF IS ON AND THE OLD BUILDING IS BEING DISMANTLED #43 |
KIDS ON THE BUILDING SITE #44 |
THE BACK VIEW OF THE CLUB #45 |
PICKERING BROOK SPORTS CLUB REBUILDING 6th JUNE PHOTO COURTESY; "THE WEST AUSTRALIAN" #46 |
THE PROCESS CONTINUES #47 |
THE NEW CLUB TAKES SHAPE #48 |
LAST DRINKS AT THE OLD BAR #49 |
THE OLD BAR COMES APART #50 |
INSIDE THE CLUB WAS USED DURING THE BUILDING PROCESS #51 |
NEARING COMPLETION #52 |
ALMOST COMPLETE WITH WINDOWS IN #53 |
THE NEW CLUBHOUSE WAS COMPLETED IN MAY 1964 #54 |
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PUTTYING THE JARRAH FLOORBOARDS #56 |
PUTTYING THE NAILHOLES WAS DONE BY MAN, WOMAN AND
CHILD #57 |
FILLING IN THE HOLES WAS A TEAM EFFORT #58 |
REFRESHMENTS
AFTER A HARD DAY’S WORK %9 |
REFRESHMENTS
AFTER A HARD DAY’S WORK #60 |
TRYING
OUT THE NEW UNFINISHED BAR #61 |
Once the new clubhouse was completed, a big
opening night was planned. VIP's from other clubs were invited to attend. The
social committee called on the members to provide the entertainment. Kaye
Wescott choreographed "We are Football Heroes" with the women dressed
up in WAFL footy team jumpers and the men wearing dresses as the
"WAGS". Another act was a take-off of the "Mavis Bramston
Show".
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THE WOMEN DRESSED AS "FOOTY HEROS"
NANCY WARE IN THE GREY TOP #62 |
THE MEN PREPARING FOR THE BIG NIGHT AS
"WAGS" #63 |
THE "WAGS" READY TO PUT ON AN OPENING
NIGHT SHOW |
THE BIG NIGHT WITH CROWD PARTICIPATION #65 |
OPENING
NIGHT CELEBRATIONS - “THE MAVIS BRAMSTON
SHOW” #66 |
OPENING
NIGHT CELEBRATIONS - “THE MAVIS BRAMSTON
SHOW” #67 |
OPENING
NIGHT CELEBRATIONS - “THE MAVIS BRAMSTON
SHOW” #68 |
THE GYMKHANA DAY 1964 #69 |
THE BAND ON GYMKHANA DAY 1964 #70 |
THE CROWD ON GYMKHANA DAY 1964 #71 |
LOG CHOPPING AT GYMKHANA DAY 1964 #72 |
WOMEN'S SHOTPUT ON GYMKHANA DAY 1964 #73
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MEN'S RUNNING RACE ON GYMKHANA DAY 1964 #74
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KIDS RUNNING RACE ON GYMKHANA DAY 1964 #75 |
Christmas was always a time for the Pickering Brook families to get together.
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FATHER CHRISTMAS ARRIVING ON THE TRAILER BEHIND GEORGE SPRIGG'S HOLDEN #76 |
CHRISTMAS EVE BONFIRE 1964 #77 |
CHRISTMAS EVE 1964 #78 |
DARTS NIGHTS CONTINUED DURING THE BUILDING PROCESS #79
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PICKERING BROOK DARTS CLUB The darts enthusiasts continues
playing even whilst the renovations were happening. |
DARTS NIGHTS CONTINUED DURING THE BUILDING PROCESS #80 |
DARTS IN THE NEW CLUB 1964 #81 |
THE
DART CHAMPIONS #82 |
THE
DART CHAMPIONS #83 |
PICKERING BROOK GOLF CLUB With the new club room completed the members continued to work on the grounds. A lot of work needed to be done on the Gold Course. Busy Bee days were organised and as usual everyone pitched in.
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1963 GOLF CLUB "B" GRADE CHAMPIONSHIP |
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BUSY BEE DAY 1964 #85 |
WOMEN MOWING THE FAIRWAYS. BUSY BEE DAY 1964 #86 |
WOMEN MOWING THE FAIRWAYS. BUSY BEE DAY 1964 #87 |
WOMEN MOWING THE FAIRWAYS. BUSY BEE DAY 1964 #88 |
BUSY BEE DAY 1964 #89 |
BUSY BEE DAY 1964 #90 |
FRANK GRANGER AT A BUSY BEE DAY 1964 #91 |
GOLF LADIES “WIND-UP DAYS” The lady members were avid golfers. They played and practiced regularly at Pickering Brook as well as travelling to other clubs for competition. Pat granger won many trophies in her time playing golf. A big day for the ladies was their annual wind up. They would set a theme and play golf in costume. Pat was an amateur photographer and documented those days. "LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1964 #92 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1964. PAT GRANGER ON RIGHT #93 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1964 #94 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1964 #95 |
NANCY WARE "LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1964 #97 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1965 #96
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"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1966 #98
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"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1966 #99 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1968. Second from left BERNIE FERNIE #100 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1968 #101 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1968 #102 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1968 #103 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1969. PAT GRANGER in the middle as "Saddie" #104 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1969 #105 |
"LADIES WIND-UP DAY" 1969 #106
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GALA
NIGHT AT PICKERING BROOK From
an article published in 'The Kalamunda News' 15th June 1974 On
Saturday, 8th June 1974, over 750 people attended the most spectacular social
event to be held in the Kalamunda Shire for many years - the Official opening
of the new club premises at the Pickering Brook Sports Club by His Excellency
the Governor, Air Commodore H. I. Edwards. After an
inspection of sporting facilities still under construction, the guests returned
to the club house where Vise President, Mr. D. Taylor introduced the President,
Mr. George Spriggs.
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HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR, AIR COMMODORE H. I. EDWARDS, |
EARTHWORKS IN PROGRESS FOR THE NEW SPORTS CLUB #120 |
EARTHWORKS IN PROGRESS FOR THE NEW SPORTS CLUB #121 |
EARTHWORKS IN PROGRESS FOR THE NEW SPORTS CLUB #122 |
Mr.
Spriggs gave an outline of the events leading up to the construction of the new
club house. He made mention of the honour board, on
this board people could see the names of some who had worked so hard for the
Club over many years. Charlie Spriggs had put in many years and long hours with
little renumeration. His efforts had helped to achieve the present facilities.
The first 9 hole golf course had to be mattocked out of the earth. Mr.
Spriggs reflected that when negotiations were taking place with the Water Board
that although he and Mr. Samuells had never agreed on the amount of
compensation finally paid for the old site, he had come to the conclusion that
Public Servants were human after all. Paying
tribute to all those who had given so generously of their time and efforts in
supporting the Club, Mr. Spriggs said of Mr. A. Fernie, Treasurer for the past
17 years, "like all good Treasurers, getting money out of him was like
drawing a nail out of Wandoo!" He then
introduced His Excellency the Governor, who, in unveiling a plaque to open the
Club House, commented on the great achievement by such a small population, he
said he was sure that the Club would become a mecca for members both day and
night. Sir
Charles Court congratulated the Club Members on behalf of the people of W. A.
for a wonderful community effort. "Our
forefathers", said Sir Charles, "worked hard to give us better
conditions and more leisure time. One of life's greatest challenges is learning
how to make use of your leisure time, and people here have accepted that
challenge." In concluding The Premier assured those present that scheme
water would soon be a reality in the Pickering Brook, Carilla area, it is not
possible to give a definite date, but it was on the 'top of the list'. Mr. Ian
Thompson has never been off my back about it. The matter once held up Parliment
for two and a half hours." |
"It
has been a privilege to work with you". he said, "I thank all of you
who have helped me and I thank you for the honour of allowing me to
assist". Thanks
was also extended to Mr. Neil Gaunt, the builder, and his partner Mr. Bert
McAllister, Mr. Percy Webb, Mr. Greg Lewkowski, and Mr. Neil Weston. Mr. Neil
Guant praised the ladies of the Club for their untiring efforts in cleaning up
after the builders and for putting together the bead screens. The Vice
President Mr. Taylor spoke of the tremendous contribution made to the club by
the lady members over the years, and this was evident in that three of the six
Life Members were ladies. |
MR. G. SPRIGGS MAKING PRESENTATION TO MR. PHIL PRITCHARD.08 |
Mr. G.
Samuells, Chairman of the Water Board also spoke of the achievements of the
Club and said a vote of thanks should go to the Country Water Supply Board for
allowing the Club to use the new site. The Shire
Clerk, Mr. L. O'Meara, on behalf of the Shire said that the Council had been
very worried about George Spriggs, as the Club House neared completion his grin
had been getting so wide they were afraid the bottom of his face might fall
off! He went on to say that George Spriggs had a habit of making things work,
he had managed to get both the Governor and the Premier of the State to attend
the opening (which was not a bad score) and even the weather had obliged. |
THE NEW SPORTS CLUB #123 |
The
opening was followed by a buffet tea and then the celebrations got into full
swing. It was not an affair for the feeble or faint of heart. Dancing continued
through the night with a change of bands at 1.00a.m. and gradually, as the less
hardy retreated to home and bed, the crowd was whittled down to about 300, who
stayed on for the champagne breakfast between 5.00a.m. and 8.00a.m.. This does
not mean that only youth survived, one couple, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Whittaker of
Carmel were among the stayers. Mr. Whittaker being only one week short of his
eightieth birthday. Mrs. L. Spriggs, Life Member put up a very good showing
too. As
morning dawned some seemed to have more energy than others, a challenge was
issued and taken up for a race around the oval - the contestants - A member of
the executive staff of Council (recently returned from Canberra) and a well
known local M.L.A. - Result - dead heat?? The morning concluded with a Pennant
Golf Match won by Jeff Downing, a barman who had been on duty throughout the
whole of the festivities.
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ALAN FERNIE PAVILION & SWIMMING
POOL However the
Club has not lost sight of its more humble origins. The old Club house was
dismantled and re-erected on the new site as part of the Alan Fernie Pavilion,
that was named in honour of the Club’s long serving treasurer. This complex included a magnificent swimming pool which amid many objections and doubtful reasons, was eventually filled in.
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ALAN FERNIE PAVILION WITH SWIMMING POOL BEHIND #109 |
ALAN FERNIE PAVILION WITH SWIMMING POOL #110 |
ALAN FERNIE PAVILION WITH SWIMMING POOL #111 |
BOCCE PITCH The original Bocce Pitch, was built in 1939 by Dom Marchetti, near what is now McCorkill Road. It has also been listed by the Heritage Council of Western Australia as of historical interest because of the social and civic activities it served. This game is extremely popular amongst the large Italian Community in Pickering Brook. |
SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE BOCCE GAME. 1987 #112 |
SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE BOCCE GAME. 1987 #113 |
SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT THE BOCCE GAME. 1987 #114 |
BOCCE PITCH. PHOTO 2008. #115 |
BOCCE PITCH . PHOTO 2008. #116 |
MODERN HISTORY In modern times, Pickering Brook has assumed the mantle of the sporting centre of the Kalamunda area.. From small beginnings in 1920, the original sporting area grew under the Whitlam Labor Government to one of the biggest single sporting complexes in the whole of Australia. In the early 1950's about 30 local people each put in 20 pounds ($40) to build a golf course and a club house which was granted a liquor licence. It was a self-help job by the local people. Then in the 1970's work started on a tremendous new building programme on the north side of Pickering Brook Road on an A class reserve. Work was started when the Pickering Brook Sports Club Inc obtained a loan from the Kalamunda Shire Council. The Commonwealth Government's RED Scheme (for Regional Employment and Development) then started in an effort to allay Australia's growing unemployment, and a grant of $100.000 was made, all of which was spent on building the huge stone retaining wall around the oval in 1974. This was part of the $900,000 which was obtained by the Kalamunda Shire from the RED Scheme. |
SPORTS CLUB BOWLING GREENS #118 |
WESTON ROAD ENTRANCE TO PICKERING BROOK SPORTS CLUB. PHOTO 2008 #117 |
Shire Engineer Geoff Dutton was handing out Red Scheme money, and was kept informed of the sort of things the money was being spent on in other parts of Australia. The shire loan is being repaid from membership fees and bar proceeds, both of which are surprisingly large for such a small place. The membership in 1978 was 1,200, plus between 200 and 300 non-paying children. The population in Pickering Brook in that year was about 1,300. The annual subscription was $20. The sporting facilities included: six tennis courts under lights, of which two are marked for basketball and netball; a full sized oval for football and cricket; two bowling greens, one under lights; an 18-hole golf course; two squash courts; one hall in which badminton is played; one clubhouse with bar and one half-sized olympic pool which was partly finished in August 1978. George Spriggs was president of the club for 22 years, and Alan Fernie treasurer for the same period. According to Spriggs, it was the Whitlam Government's intention, had it remained in power, to make a movie film of the various sporting areas and use it as a model for other sporting complexes around Australia to follow. |
THE CLUB'S ENTRANCE #119
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References: Article: Cala Munnda - A Home in the Forest Images: 1 Roads Family
Copyright : Gordon Freegard. 2008 - 2020
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