MarkInTheStands
Coach
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So the 50th Birthday of the Leagues club is August 22nd.
The Eels will be playing the Tigers the Friday Night before that, at the SFS.
To celebrate on the day the Continuous Call Team will broadcast from Sterlo's. One of the other things Mentioned is the "Footy Party" that will be happening after our game against the Panthers at Home regardless of when this game is held (I am still holding out for a Sunday personally, as I know we can get loads more people involved).
But I have also noticed on the Leagues Club website a Commemoration document available here.
http://www.parraleagues.com.au/ContentFiles/ParraLeagues/Documents/Final%20Version%20-%2050th%20Birthday%20Commemoration.pdf
Some great Stories in there, but the ones I like are.
The only problem I have with that article is that the Picture of Jack is a Painting not a Photo.
There is some other good reads in there as well, from Member Stories to the clubs commitment to the Eels. I look forward to getting a printed one from the club, that is a keep sake for the future.
The Eels will be playing the Tigers the Friday Night before that, at the SFS.
To celebrate on the day the Continuous Call Team will broadcast from Sterlo's. One of the other things Mentioned is the "Footy Party" that will be happening after our game against the Panthers at Home regardless of when this game is held (I am still holding out for a Sunday personally, as I know we can get loads more people involved).
But I have also noticed on the Leagues Club website a Commemoration document available here.
http://www.parraleagues.com.au/ContentFiles/ParraLeagues/Documents/Final%20Version%20-%2050th%20Birthday%20Commemoration.pdf
Some great Stories in there, but the ones I like are.
PLC-50th said:Parramatta Leagues Club
[FONT=Trajan Pro,Trajan Pro][FONT=Trajan Pro,Trajan Pro]The Early Years[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Trajan Pro,Trajan Pro][FONT=Trajan Pro,Trajan Pro]Parramatta Leagues Club as it stands today is a success story that was pioneered by the initial efforts of the two men responsible for locating, building and eventually expanding the Club from its humble beginnings, Jack Argent and Jack Boyle.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman][FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]In 1956, the middle of a lean period for the football club, it was decided to form a committee to investigate establishing a licensed premises. The committee began the search for a site, with Jack Argent identifying a house at 4-6 Ross St Parramatta on the way to training one night and immediately putting down a £10 deposit.[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]Parramatta Leagues Club would now be located on Ross St if it was not for the application of a liquor licence being rejected on a technicality. The licence required at least 200 members and the Club had 235 foundation members when the application was made. However the court ruled applications for membership could only be proposed and seconded by the provisional directors and some were approved by non-directors.[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]In the meantime, Jack Boyle saw the current site in O’Connell St up for sale. The site was the ideal location for a club because of its considerable space as well as its proximity to Cumberland Oval where the football team applied their trade. Boyle contacted Argent and a £25 deposit was lodged, however further drama was to unfold.[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]Shortly after negotiation commenced, the owner of the property passed away and the owners son-in-law wanted to stop the £6000 sale. Subsequently it was revealed the son-in-law had received an offer for twice as much from an oil company wanting to build a petrol station on the site. Fortunately, Argent had the original owner sign a contract of intentional sale, a watertight agreement that ensured the original agreement went ahead. [/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]Argent, a builder by trade, agreed to construct the initial design of the Club and work began in February 1959. The building itself was simple but effective in its design, a one storey complex made from brick that served as a venue where patrons could come and enjoy good food and beverages as well as participate in recreational activities at an affordable price. The Club officially opened on August 22 of the same year at a cost of just £34,000 to build. [/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]The Club became affectionately known as ‘the house that Jack built’. It was also the ‘house’ that Jack knew would develop and grow as the years unfolded. Such was his foresight, he constructed the building with double foundations, anticipating that further additions would be required. His forecast was immediately accurate and it was only two years later in 1961 that a second storey was added to the Club. [/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]The expansion of the Club continued. As membership tripled from its original figure of 1800, the Club extended to the south and a third floor auditorium was also added to the building in 1964. [/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]By 1966 the Club’s membership had grown to 6,000, testament to the proficiency and performance of all those who were involved at the Club in its formative years. In that era, a beer only cost 32c, the value for money that the Club provided played a big part in the satisfaction of members at the time and those virtues continued on as a feature of the Club as it evolved.[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]With the Eels performances on Cumberland Oval also improving and crowds almost tripling, a great percentage would flow into the adjacent Club after the games and bar trade thrived. The Football Club was becoming the pride of the city and the Leagues Club the hub of social activities.[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]The Club has grown to one of the most well established in Sydney. Membership now stands at over 40,000, which reflects the sustained growth and quality of service that has been a feature of Parramatta Leagues since its conception in 1959. [/FONT]
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PLC-50th said:[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman][FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]The House [/FONT][FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]that Jack Built[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman][FONT=Helvetica 45 Light,Helvetica 45 Light][FONT=Helvetica 45 Light,Helvetica 45 Light]When you mention the name Jack Argent around Parramatta Leagues Club, even to this day you will get a response. Staff and members, young, old, new or long serving all know the name. They know his legacy is special to Parramatta Leagues.[/FONT][/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica 55 Roman,Helvetica 55 Roman]
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Jack Argent OBE, OAM, ED was one of those responsible for the Club gaining a licence and purchasing the land where the Club now stands. His building company was also responsible for the original construction of the Parramatta Leagues Club, which opened on 22 August 1959. You will still find Foundation Members who remember it as though it was yesterday and fondly refer to the Club as "the house that Jack built".
Jack Argent held a position as Director of Parramatta Leagues Club from 1957-58, after it was decided the concept of a licensed premises needed to be investigated. At the opening, he was installed as the Club’s first Secretary-Manager, a position he maintained for ten years before stepping down to concentrate on his building company.
Jack Argent’s involvement with Parramatta stretches back further than the opening of the Club. At the tender age of 18, Jack was a flying winger playing with the Parramatta Endeavour team that played in the Western Sydney District Competition. In those days, Parramatta did not have a first grade team in the NSWRL. Argent thought that was unacceptable and as his playing days finished, he took it upon himself to rectify the situation. Along with a group of prominent Parramatta identities, Jack attempted to convince the NSWRL to accept a Parramatta based team in the 1936 competition. On this occasion the bid was rejected.
A man of persistence and dedication, Argent was not one to give in easily. After the end of World War II, having served as a commander of the anti-tank division of the 9th Battalion, he and his team put another entry bid in to the NSWRL and on 28 October 1946, were successful. Argent was elected the first President of the Parramatta District Football Club and was sitting in the W.P. Nollier Pavilion at Cumberland Oval as a crowd of 6,000 turned out on 12 April 1947 when Parramatta took the field to play Newtown in their first game.
Jack Argent was passionate about the football side and during their low periods he was as dedicated as ever to seeing the team’s fortunes turn around. His tireless efforts were finally rewarded in 1981 when Parramatta tasted their first Premiership success.
Jack had an illustrious career with the NSWRL. He was a long term member of the Executive Committee, responsible for control of rugby league throughout Australia. He was appointed Manager of the 1959-60 Kangaroos’ thirty-seven game, six month tour to Grant Britain, France, Italy, USA and Canada. The squad included some of the greats in the history of Rugby League, Keith Barnes, Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Eddie Lumsden, Noel Kelly, Ian Walsh, Ken Irvine, Brian Hambly, Rex Mossop and coached by the immortal, Clive Churchill.
His life and career extended well beyond the confines of the Parramatta district. Those who knew Jack personally can recount tales of his involvement as a Colonel in World War II. It was a part of his life that he was passionate about. He could retell stories about various battles and encounters and bring them to life with the ability to make the audience feel as though they were there on the battlefields at the time.
For a man who was involved in so many positions of prominence and formality within the Club, some of the fondest memories of Jack are simply as a mate. A friend you could chat with over a cold beer and a good meal. He was renowned for his welcoming disposition and was known as a man of the people. These endearing qualities, combined with his business sense and forward thinking, have made Jack Argent’s name live long in the memories of all those involved at Parramatta Leagues Club.
Jack Argent passed away in August 2004 aged 99, but his influence on the Parramatta Leagues Club has not subsided and will continue on strongly into the future. As you enter the Club, take the time to look towards his photo in the foyer and remember Jack Argent as the man who made it all happen.
The only problem I have with that article is that the Picture of Jack is a Painting not a Photo.
PLC-50th said:A [FONT=Trajan Pro,Trajan Pro][FONT=Trajan Pro,Trajan Pro]Passion for [/FONT][/FONT]Parramatta
If Parramatta Leagues Club is "the house that Jack built", then it was Denis Fitzgerald and Alan Overton who were instrumental in keeping Jack’s house growing. For over two decades, together they have maintained constant involvement in the Club and have a combined 51 years of service to the Club.
Alan Overton sat on the Board of Directors from 1986 until this year, including the last 21 as President. Alan has an outstanding record of service to sport and the community, which also includes involvement with the Scout Association, Ronald McDonald House, The Millennium Foundation, Parramatta Stadium Trust, Parramatta Regional Park Trust and many more. This service has also seen Alan recognised with a number of awards, most notably Order of Australia honours with the Member of Australia Medal (AM) in 2004 and the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 1994.
Alan’s involvement with the Club started when James Hardie became major sponsor of the Parramatta Eels. Alan explains, "I was working at James Hardie at the time and was given the responsibility of looking after the sponsorship agreement with the Parramatta Eels. During this time I worked with the Leagues Club organising a number of fundraising events at the Club and it was suggested by some of the Members that I stand for the Board".
This dedication to supporting the community continued throughout Alan’s time at the Leagues Club. When asked what he enjoyed about his time at the Club, Alan responds "Being involved with all the charities the Club supports. I don’t think people fully appreciate how much money the Club puts back into the community, not only for sport but also local charities and community groups".
Another heavily involved with Parramatta Leagues Club is Denis Fitzgerald; it is unlikely the Club will see someone contribute to the Club in as many facets again. Denis’ first involvement with the Club was a successful Rugby League career in which he played 145 first grade matches for the Parramatta Eels between 1969 an 1977. This included the Eels first Grand Final appearances in 1976 & 1977 and representative selection for City, NSW and Australia.
Following his football career, Denis quickly became involved in administration, holding the position of Chief Executive of Parramatta District Rugby League Club since 1978 until this year. This was followed by election to the Board of Directors of Parramatta Leagues Club in 1979. In 1986, Denis was elected President of Parramatta Leagues Club and then became Chief Executive in 1988, a position he held for the next 22 years. Denis has held a range of other administrative roles in sport, including positions with the NSW Rugby League, Australian Rugby League, National Rugby League, Parramatta Power Soccer Club and Parramatta District Rugby Union Club. There has also been community involvement, notably a period as Alderman on Parramatta City Council and a Trustee of Parramatta Stadium Trust. This service to sport and community saw Denis awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in 2003.
Denis is very clear when asked about the greatest accomplishment during his time at the Club, "The Club was not in a strong financial position with the only asset basically being the site of the Club. I’m very proud that with some good decision making by the Board of Directors over this period that the Club now has almost $60 million in assets". Alan adds, "Some of our plans weren’t always popular with local residents and government agencies. I was pleased we were always able to work through these issues and reach agreements that benefitted the community as a whole".
Alan and Denis were united when asked what they enjoyed most about their involvement with Parramatta Leagues Club, which was meeting those associated with the Club. "As a Board Member I represented the Members and enjoyed this interaction, especially the regular discussions with them about my beloved Eels", stated Alan. Denis adds "As well as interacting with the Members, it was an honour to work with so many great staff, suppliers and industry representatives over the years. I have enjoyed seeing the growth and development of Club’s into a professional and progressive industry".
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of Alan Overton and Denis Fitzgerald for many years, the "house that Jack built" is in a strong position for the years ahead.
There is some other good reads in there as well, from Member Stories to the clubs commitment to the Eels. I look forward to getting a printed one from the club, that is a keep sake for the future.
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