The Brisbane centre of the Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association, situated at Lang Park, was officially opened by the Honourable the Premier, Mr Edward Hanlon, MLA, on 11 February 1950. The enrolment of boys and girls from 12 to 17 years of age was commenced on 3 January 1950, and at 3 June the number on the roll was 790, comprising 202 girls and 588 boys.
The boys’ activities were conducted on three week-nights and Saturday morning, and those for the girls on the other two week-nights and Saturday afternoon. Amenities for the boys included boxing, wrestling, ball games, and gymnastics; while the girls participated in folk dancing, basketball, and other games.
On 5 July 1950, the Honourable Edward Hanlon, MLA, donated two Cups for competition. The boys and girls competed annually for the trophy. Points were awarded for conduct, ability, behaviour, and attendance. The winner of each section was awarded a replica of the Hanlon Cup, which subsequently remained in perpetuity as a Memorial to the late Honourable Edward Hanlon, founder and first patron of the Association. The names of winners were inscribed on the original trophies.
At the close of the 1951-52 year, total enrolments had risen to 1,443 members, comprising 372 girls, and 1,071 boys. In 1955, enrolments for boys and girls covered three definite age groups, namely 12 to 16 years, 17 to 20 years, and 21 to 25 years, for each of which a nominal subscription fee was charged. Arrangements were in hand to add a 10 to 11 year group. Boys could now participate in the additional activities of judo and woodwork, and the girls in millinery and needlework classes. Facilities were also provided for mixed badminton and tennis matches.
QPCYWA Judo class, probably at Lang Park, c1955.
Image No. PM3199 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
In May 1955, the proposal to establish a Junior Boys’ Band was discussed, and in June approval was given for the purchase at a total cost of £2,100 for the necessary musical instruments, the formation of the band, and the appointment of a bandmaster. The finance for the advancement of the activities of the Association was obtained mainly by the holding of functions, and entertainment organised by the Association.
In view of the large enrolments from the southern suburbs of Brisbane, the Association purchased from the Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland at a cost of £6,152 13 shillings and 6 pence, premises situated at the corner of Hawthorne Street and Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba. The three storey building was to be renovated and converted into a Youth Club, but it was subsequently decided that the old building should be demolished and a new building be erected on the site. The old building was sold for removal, and in May 1956, work commenced on the new building.
The new brick building cost £35,000, and its completion marked an important step in the Association’s programme of expansion. The centre was officially opened by the Premier of Queensland, the Honourable Vincent Gair, MLA, on 1 June 1957. At this time the Police Department supplied a staff of nine on a full-time basis, and a number of voluntary instructors were engaged to assist. The variety of activities offered also expanded.
Women’s wrestling team, police youth club, Lang Park, 1967.
Image No. PM1607 courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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This information has been supplied by the Queensland Police Museum from the best resources available at the time of writing. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.
Email: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM the VAULT- QPCYWA Part 2” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode