Historical Photographs &
Resources
PCYC has a large number of historical
photographs now available. Most were taken through
the 1950's to the 1970's, a time when the PCYC
'movement' in NSW was at its peak.
* denotes 'work-in-progress', due
to publish March 2007
* PCYC
Hall of Fame
First
Opening - 1937
Early
Buildings
Celebrities
& Leaders
* Arts
& Craft Activities
Marches,
Bands, Choirs & Music
* Sports
- Gymnastics & Athletics
* Sports
- All Other
* Sports
- Boxing
Volunteers,
Staff & Committees
* Camp
Mackay
http://www.abc.net.au/gnt/history/Transcripts/s1076128.htm
Register your past involvement
here (for past members, staff & volunteers)
Sylvia
Chase Memorial League
Letters, Memories & Personalities
William
Grenfell
Ernie
Chambers
Levinia
Howey
Dora
Simm
Trevor
Rippingale
Our Famous Alumni
Throughout its history, PCYC has changed the live's of many young people. Among those who were active and went on to 'greater things':
Ken Rosewall (tennis)
Jimmy Carruthers (boxing)
Murray Rose (swimming)
Reg Gasnier (rugby league)
Gina Peluso (gymnast)
Town Hall Steps (band)
A Short History of PCYC
The first Police Boys Club
opened at Woolloomooloo, Sydney, in April 1937.
Officially known as the Police-Rotary
Boys Club, it was set up in a disused Police Station
as an initiative of the Rotary Club of Sydney,
and the Police Commissioner, William John Mackay.
The purpose of the Club was to
provide a venue where boys could engage in healthy
sporting, cultural and recreational pursuits and
mix in a safe, non-confrontational environment.
By the time the Club officially
opened on 1 April 1937, it had a membership of
400 boys and facilities including a library with
3000 books, areas for wrestling and physical culture
classes, debating, and teams in the rugby league
competition.
In July 1937 the founders of the
Woolloomooloo Club began the process of bringing
together the other clubs and placing them under
a central authority. Clubs had been established
at Bega, Cooma, Cootamundra, Goulburn, Tamworth,
Yass and Young, and moves were afoot to set up
Balmain, St George, and Wollongong.
Changing
Times, Changing Identity
On 23 September 1938 the Federation
of New South Wales Police Boys Clubs was incorporated
with a Council of Management comprised of William
Mackay and nine others, including Police Officers,
public servants and businessmen.
Over time the organisation grew
strongly with Clubs being established throughout
Sydney and in most regional centres around NSW.
The name of the organisation has changed over
time to reflect the increasing importance of community
involvement. In 1945 it became known as the Federation
of Police Citizens Boys Clubs.
In 1985 the movement became known
as the Federation of Police Citizens Youth Clubs
to reflect the provision of services for both
males and females, despite female membership commencing
many years prior to 1985. In
1995 the name changed to Police & Community
Youth Clubs NSW Ltd, or PCYC, updating the logo
while retaining the Federation Star, and preparing
to move forward into the next century.
In
1937 when the first Police Boys Club was established,
William Mackay asked Mrs Sylvia Chase to look
after its library. More information on Sylvia
Chase is available here.
