The History of the Development of Wakehurst Rugby Park

In 1966 a group of local citizens formed the Belrose Junior Rugby Football Club. According to the 1966 President's Report ¹ the Club had sufficient players for one and a half teams at the start of the season but, by the end of it, was fielding three teams. The following year the name of the Club was changed to Wakehurst Rugby Club and the 1967 President's Report ² confirms the name change was designed "to prevent localisation of our activities" and "Junior" was omitted "so that senior teams can be fielded in the future." The new club must have recruited extraordinarily well for on 17th February 1967 ³, in its second year, it sought permission to use the playing fields at Forest High School on Saturday mornings for its 130 boys, more than doubling its playing numbers from the foundation year. The cost for hiring that ground was $12 per month. On the 13th March, the Club made an application to join the Rugby Union Co-Op and purchased ten $1 shares. ⁴

A copy of the very first bulletin put out by the Club on 24th March 1966 ⁵ seeking new recruits for its first season of football is included in this manuscript and it is worth noting fees were $2.00 per season up front, or twenty cents per game. Times have changed!

From the time of its creation, the Club had the use of three local grounds for its home games and training. They were two at the eastern end of Lionel Watts Oval and Bambara Oval, off Forest Way. These grounds were shared with Belrose Rugby League.

No records have been unearthed that are relevant to the activities of the Club prior to 1973 and there is no record as to what capacity the Club existed prior to the incorporation of the new company. However, club records do indicate that Mr John Mackaness was President of the Club since its formation in 1966 until 1973 ⁵ (although the bulletin referred to above indicates that Mr Geoff Leonard was the Club's inaugural President).

Wakehurst Rugby Club Limited was incorporated as an unlisted public company, limited by guarantee, on 20th June 1975 and its first annual general meeting was held on 4th November 1976. The subscribers were:

• John M Reed (Publisher)
• William L Burgess (Insurance Broker)
• Harry G Brigden (Chartered Accountant)
• Roger B Clare-Nazer (Accountant)
• Maurice W Kermond (Sales Manager)

The Company was formed to take hold and develop assets, and in particular an oval complex, situated on six acres of land, being Public Reserve (Crown Land) vested in the Warringah Shire Council as Trustee under the Crown Lands Consolidation Act, on the corner of Waldon Road and Forest Way, Belrose.

The vacant land had been notified for public recreation on 26th May 1950 ¹⁵. The reserve lay on the side of a hill saturated by the run-off from two creeks and overgrown with noxious weeds. Properties on the east and west sides of the ground were market gardens, and land on the northern boundary was Crown Land where the Covenant Christian School now stands. At that time, the school was situated in St Paul's Anglican Church in Terrey Hills and the new school in Belrose, which was just a cottage, was opened in 1978 with one teacher and nineteen children from kindergarten to year five.

From the correspondence available it is evident that there were many obstacles the Club needed to overcome to achieve its objective of converting the waste land into a "a rugby playing fields complex." In this respect the club owes much to John Mackaness, the formative Club President, his successor Mr John Reed and successive Club Presidents and their committees for their perseverance in achieving that goal.

On 15th December 1970 Mr Mackaness wrote to the Warringah Shire Council ⁶ seeking an "approval in principle" to the Club making an application to lease the reserve for the purpose of developing and establishing rugby playing fields. He made a similar request to the NSW Lands Department. ⁷

The Lands Department responded to Mr Mackaness's letter on 18th December ⁸ advising the matter "was under consideration" and the Council wrote the same day ⁹ advising it had referred the matter to the Manly-Warringah Sporting Union for its consideration. On the 22nd December 1970 Council confirmed that the matter would be considered "during the early part of next year" ¹⁰.

The Council wrote to the Club on 13th January 1971 ¹¹ inviting representatives of the Club to attend the next Parks and Reserves Committee meeting to outline the Club's proposal to the committee.

Nothing ventured by the committee in attempting to achieve their goal was straightforward and on 20th January, The Lands Department confirmed that "applications of this nature should first be considered by the appointed Trustees of the reserve concerned as the care, control and management of the reserve devolves on Warringah Shire Council .... It has been considered necessary to request Council for its views on the proposal." The Minister for Lands also confirmed that "Departmental policy is against the erection of licensed premises on recreation reserves" ¹². Accordingly, they referred the matter to Warringah Shire Council for consideration.

On 28th January 1971 ¹³ Mr J B Suhan, Secretary of the Sydney Rugby Football Union responded to a letter from Mr Mackaness confirming that Union's "strong support" for the application.

The Council confirmed to the Club, on 23rd February ¹⁴ that it had adopted the Committee's recommendation "to support your club's application to the Department of Lands for a Special Lease to develop the area as shown in the plan presented by you." The Council included a copy of the letter ¹⁵ they had sent to the Department of Lands with their recommendation, adding that "The President of the club stated that they had no intention of erecting a licensed club on the premises." They concurred with the Club's request for a Special Lease from the Crown.

On 20th April, the Lands Department ¹⁶ confirmed that the Council would raise no objections to it granting a lease over the Reserve. However, at that stage it was learned that the Council was not the Trustee of the reserve but action to appoint it as the Trustee, and vest it with the power to lease, was proceeding. Confirmation of its appointment as Trustee was gazetted on 25th June 1971. ¹⁷

There appears to have been some issues with the granting of a Special Lease from the Crown as Mr Mackaness wrote to the Council, and individually to each Counsellor on 28th May ¹⁸ requesting Council reconsider their earlier decision that Council could not, or did not favour, "entering into a Special Lease". However, on 8th June 1971, ¹⁹ Council advised that "Your letter of 28th May requesting reconsideration of this matter, was considered by Council when it was decided that it was prepared to enter into a lease under the Public Trust Act, 1897 rather than enter into a special lease and had informed the Department of Lands to this effect".

It is worth remembering that in these early days of the project, organisations did not have the benefit of computers, emails, the internet and mobile phones. Even photocopiers were in their infancy. Copies of correspondence were made using carbon paper and delivery and receipt of mail relied on the Post Office. It is undeniable that the postal service at that time performed to a much higher standard than in later years.

Mr Mackaness wrote to the Council on 7th October 1971 ²⁰ setting out the Club's proposals for the lease together with plans for the development of the reserve, drainage plans and plans for the proposed clubhouse. The recommendations for the terms of the lease included:

• Rent:

• Annual rent years 1 -- 5 $25 per annum
• Annual rent years 6 -- 10 $50 per annum
• Annual rent years 11 -- 15 $100 per annum

The following fifteen years would use the 15th year base plus rise or fall in CPI

• Wakehurst Rugby Club to be responsible for the legal costs and stamp duty incurred in drawing up the lease.
• The Club agrees to the use of the Reserve one day per week for schoolboy rugby union and/or cricket at the discretion of the Club.

Stage 1

• First three years, the Club to survey, clear and prepare the site for draining, filling and levelling. Approximate cost $3000
• Drain reserve at $8000. Council to pay 50%.

Stage 2:

• Years 4 & 5, the Club to embank the lower level of the reserve. Approximate cost $4000
• Earthworks, cutting, filling levelling and construction of playing fields and car park area. Approximate cost $20,000

Stage 3:

• In the sixth year the Club to grass the reserve with rolled sods. Approximate cost $8000

Stage 4:

• In the seventh year erection of Amenities Block, catering for change rooms and toilet facilities. Approximate cost $10,000.
• The erection of the clubhouse and meeting room adjacent to the Amenities Block. Approximate cost $8000
• The Club to be permitted to enclose the reserve with a 6ft chain fence and to be allowed to charge an entrance fee to the ground.
• Wakehurst Rugby Club to re-beautify and re-vegetate the perimeter and nature strip. Approximate cost $2000.
• In the remaining years, the Club to:

• Erect open grandstands, and
• Floodlight the playing field

The Council to be responsible for diverting run-off of water to Waldon Road, west of Dell Street and also from Dell Street emptying into the reserve.

In any era, this would be considered a very bold project to undertake and with the absence of today's technology and speedy communication alternatives, the process must have been extremely frustrating and difficult to promote.

On 24th February 1972, the Club wrote to the Council ²¹ making a formal application for a lease of thirty years and containing the abovementioned recommendations.

The next communication from the Council is dated 15th May 1972 ²² confirming that a 100ft building line must be maintained from Forest Way for all structures and that angle parking on Waldon Road was "undesirable".

Confirmation of the Council's approval of the staged development was received on 27th November 1972 ²³ except for the clubhouse and meeting room which would be subject to a report from the Engineer and Town Planner. The lease was to be for twenty years only and upon termination of the lease "ownership of all improvements reverts to the Crown except where the Minister may direct that improvements be removed or that the leased be renewed." It also indicated that the number of car spaces had to increase progressively with staged development. The matter of car spaces continued to fester for many years and was subject of regular correspondence with Council.

It may be that Council was concerned that the Club intended to operate licensed premises on the ground for on 9th August 1973 ²⁴ it confirmed that "a small meeting room/storeroom be included at the end of the building in lieu of a clubroom and the Club to submit a development application".

After months of discussion a development application was submitted to Council on 15th August 1973 with an expected cost to the Club of $18,000 ^25,\ 26^. Following a committee meeting on 19th August the Club wrote to Council repeating the recommendations for inclusion in the lease it had proffered the previous October ²⁷.

On 19th December, a site plan was submitted for a smaller meeting room and storage area. ²⁸

It is presumed that Mr Reed, the new Club President, had been pre-warned that the development application would be declined on two grounds, and he wrote to Council on 18th January ²⁹ which, in part, states:

"I was very disappointed to learn that our development application for this site, will come before the next Council meeting on Monday 21 January 1974 with a recommendation from the Town Planning Department that it be declined.

I was informed that the application would be declined on two grounds. Firstly, that there was a five to six foot encroachment on the fifty foot front open space strip. Secondly, that we had provided only forty-eight car parking spaces when we should have provided ninety-six.

The encroachment problem can easily be overcome by reducing the size of the dead ball area, but provision of additional parking spaces seems to me insurmountable. The only way we can effectively double the space required is to reduce to a single playing field instead of two. If we do this however, we would expect to have trouble with the Lands Department who have made it clear that the ground has been provided for maximum use as playing fields.

I must admit that I am at a loss to understand the need for such a number of spaces. In my seven years association with the club, I cannot remember there ever being forty-eight cars at a two field ground let alone ninety-six. If four fifteen-man teams were playing and every single parent brought a car, that would still only be sixty cars in total, and we know that this has never happened. Two of the teams would be visiting ones and this invariably means fewer cars. As team ages get older it is our experience that car numbers reduce even further. And I am unable to think of an occasion when there would be forty-eight cars present." Mr Reed would have been delighted to witness the crowds that have descended on Wakehurst Rugby Park in subsequent years.

It is clear that at this time the committee, and John Reed in particular, were becoming impatient and frustrated with the fact that since the task of developing an oval complex was first discussed with Council in 1970 the reserve was still a piece of waste land, and the Club members had been unable to do anything physical to give the project any life.

It should not be forgotten that this junior rugby club was offering to turn an unwanted and ugly piece of overgrown land into playing fields at NO expense to Council. The playing fields would increase the number of grounds available for junior sport at the weekend and reduce the number of various sporting associations vying for time to train and play games on existing Council grounds. Furthermore, the Council would not be required to maintain the new ground as that would be the responsibility of Wakehurst Rugby Club. It is also worth repeating that the members of the Club committee were all volunteers, giving up their significant own time to move the project forward and quite likely none of them had had any experience in dealing with a Council in respect of a land development of this nature. It was obviously a very steep learning curve for Club members.

It is interesting to note the very quick turnaround in correspondence between Council and the Club, especially as it was all done by mail or the telephone. Responses from the Council were prompt and far quicker than are experienced at the time this essay was produced.

Club members may have attended a meeting of the Council on 21st January for the following day Council wrote to the Club ³⁰ advising that the matter was considered by Council when it was resolved "This matter be deferred for inspection by the Development Committee".

On 12th February ³¹ Council wrote to the Club advising that when certain documents had been prepared the application would be forwarded to the State Planning Authority with the following resolutions: In part it read:

"That the application be forwarded to the State Planning Authority under Clause 39(1) (b) and Department of Main Roads and Police Department under Clause 37 of Warringah Shire Planning Scheme Ordinance with the advice that Council does not favour it in its present form. However, favourable consideration would be given to an amended application, which complies with the following conditions" which it then listed.

When Council's written advice was received, Mr Reed responded on 19th February ³² expressing his extreme disappointment that Council did not favour the application as submitted, and asked the Club to be permitted to present its case at the next Development Application Committee meeting:

> "Dear Sir, > > Re: Playing Fields and Amenities Cnr Waldon Road and Forest Way, Belrose --- Reserve 73551

I wish to acknowledge your letter of 12 February, and to express disappointment at the decision reached by Council, particularly in view of the fact that the matter has now been under negotiation for four years, during which time a great deal of preparatory work could have been done to the point where it is possible we might have been able to start using at least one ground this year.

In studying the correspondence over the years, I was interested to note that our application was rejected each time for apparently different reasons, and it occurs to me that perhaps a misunderstanding has arisen as to the club's intended use of the grounds in the future.

Under the circumstances I would respectfully request that the club be permitted to personally present its case. I understand that there is to be a development committee meeting on Monday 25 February and if it can be arranged, I can ensure that Mr. John Mackaness, our immediate past president who has been closely involved in discussions in the past, Mr Brian Krone, our architect, and myself will be present to answer relevant questions. Hopefully this could be scheduled a little later in the evening as I have to conduct a board meeting of the Rotary club to which I belong, possibly around 8.30 p.m. although of course I will certainly amend my own plans to suit the councillors. In the meantime I will have discussed some details with Mr Howlett of your Town Planning Department and will have gone at least some way in meeting Council's latest requirements."

Mr Reed wrote again to Council on 20th February ³³ confirming that, notwithstanding that Council "does not favour the application in its present form" the Club accepted all but one of Council's conditions but contested the number of car parking spaces. He pointed out that the recently completed Wyatt Avenue ground could only accommodate about fifteen cars in its off street parking area and it was shared with two tennis courts. A revised plan was attached increasing the number of car spaces in Waldon Road to "around 60." And the comment, any additional increase "would involve the loss of playing area. "

Finally, on 18th April 1974 ^34,\ 35^ Council advised the Club in writing, that it consented to the subject land being used for "playing fields and amenities." All eight of the conditions contained in their resolution of 12th February were included verbatim and it was apparent that the Club had lost its battle as far as car spaces were concerned. However, the Club now had official approval to proceed with their ambitious project. Mr Reed responded to Council the following day requesting Council expedite the lease. We can only guess at the elation felt by John Reed, his committee and past and present club members when this approval was finally granted.

Mr Reed wrote to Council on 19th April ³⁶ requesting that a lease be drawn up as quickly as possible as all conditions had been agreed between Council and the Club. He also requested Council give urgent consideration to approval of construction work as considerable fill would be needed to level the area. Additionally, the Club had been offered a small house which the Club would like to site on the ground to be used as a storage shed during construction and sought Council's permission.

Council confirmed approval for the deposit of fill, surveying and clearing and referred the matter of the small house to the Town Planner. ³⁷

On 6th June 1974 ³⁸ John Reed, wrote to Council contesting some of the inclusions relating to the proposed lease. One of the sticking points was the construction of roadways and intersections to be carried out at the Club's expense. At this point in time both Waldon Road and Dell Street were unpaved. Mr Reed pointed out that the rugby club was not a real estate developer, all office bearers were unpaid volunteers, and no-one held a paid position. He further correctly, pointed out that at some stage in the future the ground behind the proposed playing field, i.e the market garden on the other side of Dell Street, would probably be sold for residential use and the developer should be expected to meet those costs. This was obviously a sound argument and on 19th June 1974, ³⁹ Council agreed to waive those conditions. A minor victory to the Club!

On an historical note, Council advised, sometime in June 1974, ⁴⁰ that as from 1st July all plans, development applications and building applications must be submitted in metric dimensions. That must have been a challenging time for many people.

On 7th July 1974 Bill Moore, a registered surveyor and a Club member, submitted a survey of the reserve and his comments to the Club's committee. ^41,\ 42^

The Club President wrote to Council on 9th July ⁴³ enclosing the Surveyor's Certificate and confirming all conditions had been met or had been waived by Council. He sought the Council's assistance in providing the lease for execution by the Club's officers. Mr Reed also sought consent for the main drainage pipe to be laid from north to south across the middle of the block prior to fill being tipped as Council had already given its approval for the Club to accept any suitable fill that became available. Consent was given subject to "engineering and design plans and construction being to the satisfaction of the Shire Engineer." Council confirmed on 30 July ⁴⁴ that the construction of stormwater drainage had been approved.

On 15th July Council wrote to the Club requesting a DA be submitted for the installation of the small house. ⁴⁵

On 8th August 1974, ⁴⁶ Edgington Anderson and Clarke, who were to become the Club's appointed solicitors, wrote a precis of all activities associated with the ground since 1970. They made an interesting comment "The power of your Club to take a lease of the reserve is by virtue of your Constitution. Clause 3c establishes as one of the Club's objects the acquisition of property.....by lease.... for the purposes of the Club, and Clause 15 establishes that the property shall vest in the President, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer for the time being in trust for the Club".

They further advised "We confirm the writer's offer to your President to act as Solicitors for your Club. We are prepared to minimise expenses to the Club on the basis that all out-of-pocket fees plus some amount to cover actual overheads be paid."

On 9th August 1974 ⁴⁷ Bill Burgess, Hon Secretary, wrote to Mrs Patricia Anderson of Edgington Anderson and Clarke, appointing her as the Club's legal representative. Over a number of years, Mrs Anderson contributed a great deal to the efforts of the Club to secure the lease and it is evident that she was highly thought of by members of the Club, past and present. Mrs Anderson wrote to the Council's solicitors on 12th August ⁴⁸ requesting urgent preparation of the lease.

On 23rd September 1974 ⁴⁹ Mr Reed submitted a development application to the Council for the transfer of a small cottage, donated by Mr Bill Burgess, to the Reserve to be used as storage facilities during construction and provide shelter for the volunteer workers during inclement weather. He also wrote to the Metropolitan Waste Disposal Authority ⁵⁰ seeking assistance by way of a recommendation of a construction company who might be willing to provide the fill needed to level the ground. Council's consent for the transfer of the small cottage was given on 18th December 1974. ⁵¹

In mid-January 1975 ⁵² the Lands Department confirmed to the Council's solicitors that the draft agreement between the Council and Wakehurst Rugby Club had been approved subject to some minor amendments.

Mrs Anderson wrote to the Club on 4th June 1975 ⁵³ confirming the Lands Department had assumed the minor amendments were acceptable to the Club and that the lease would be issued in the name of Wakehurst Rugby Club Limited, which was in the course of incorporation.

During the next several months there was frequent correspondence between the Club's solicitors and the Council's solicitors as to several minor amendments to the lease, but the end of the beginning was in sight. A twenty year lease was finally entered into on 1st August 1975 with the conditions much as outlined above.

There would have been immense joy and satisfaction that the goal of obtaining a lease on the patch of dirt had finally come to fruition and the Club will always be indebted to those Club Presidents who presided over this challenge, John Mackaness and John Reed. There were, of course others who must have contributed significantly, especially Mrs Patricia Anderson, the Club's legal adviser and Bill Moore, a registered surveyor. It had taken almost five years to reach this outcome, and we wonder that if the Club's leaders had known the timeframe and effort required at the outset, would they have persevered. You bet they would!

On 24th October 1975, ⁵⁴ the Club's solicitors confirmed the lease had been executed by all parties and they were attending to its registration.

The lease came up for renewal in 1995 and there had been much speculation (which continues today) that other sporting organisations, and the adjacent school, were keen to obtain the lease of the ground themselves. President, Gareth Blades, led the negotiations and the lease was renewed, but only for a further ten years.

We must assume that the Club called for tenders or Expressions of Interest in late 1974 or early 1975 to transform the waste land into two football grounds. The land had a fall of about thirty feet from Waldon Road to the other side, was gullied and overgrown with light bush with a natural water course through the centre. N E Christie (Excavations) Pty Limited, a subsidiary of Mayne Nickless Limited, submitted a proposal on 7th February 1975 ⁵⁵ which offered to execute the work over a period of three years at zero cost to the Club. They estimated the cost savings to the Club to be $250,000 and they would clear, drain, fill, level and grass two playing fields. They estimated that 100,000 cubic yards of clean fill would be required, although this eventually rose to 140,000 cubic yards. Another expression of interest was received from McLeod Contracting Pty Limited ⁵⁶ who also indicated a three year period to complete the project, but they pointed out that the industry was severely depressed at that time, and it would be unfair of them to speculate on the time required to complete the task.

The Club's records are silent until a letter dated 17th September 1975 ⁵⁷ was received from Christie Excavations confirming a new offer to manage the project. This offer was inferior to the contents of their letter of 7th February which they said was due to "cost increases in the industry and a continued slump in excavation work." The period of development had increased to five years. Mrs Anderson, the Club's legal adviser, accepted Christie's offer on behalf of the Club on 2nd October 1975 ⁵⁸ and sought a guarantee of performance from Mayne Nickless, the parent company. Christies wrote to Mrs Anderson on 7th October ⁵⁹ confirming that upon receipt of the Form of Agreement it would be submitted to the Mayne Nickless Legal Department for scrutiny. They further added that they expected to commence work on 13th October. This was already more than twelve months after the signing of the lease, and the frustration felt by the Club committee and members must have been immense.

The Club wrote to Warringah Rugby Club on 6th November ⁶⁰ offering 250 cubic yards of topsoil, which was excess to requirements, at 80 cents per cubic yard with costs at the purchaser's expense. However, our solicitor advised on 11th November that the right to dispose of excess soil remained with Christie. ⁶¹

Mrs Anderson sought a security deposit from Christie Excavations on 27th November ⁶² for $10,000 until the end of stage 1 and $5,000 until the end of stage 2. She also sought agreement from the contractor to do additional work without cost to the Club in exchange for the Club passing control of the surplus soil to Christie Excavations. The contractor responded on 1st December ⁶³ by offering to do certain additional items of work at zero cost to the Club rather than put up a security deposit and those works to be carried out immediately. Christie Excavations also accepted the offer to take control of the soil and would pay Wakehurst Rugby Club fifty per cent of all sales, but limiting the additional work they would complete at their cost.

By mid-February 1976, the land had been cleared and a fence and gates erected. The Club requested Council ⁶⁴ to grade both Waldon Road and Dell Street because of the heavy traffic to be generated in filling the reserve and the recent installation of tennis courts in Dell Street. Council responded on 9th June advising that Council was precluded from expending Council funds on undedicated Crown Reserve roads and had referred the matter to the Lands Department. ⁶⁵ On 29th December 1977 ⁶⁶ Councillor Paul Couvret confirmed that an application had been made to the Department of Lands for the dedication of Waldon Road as a public road and as soon as the dedication was approved Council would upgrade it.

Notes from a meeting between officers of Wakehurst Rugby Club and a representative of Christie Excavations dated 24 Sep 1976 ⁶⁷ reveal that the contractor sought approval to close the site because of a recession in the building industry and the "small amount of fill available". They did, however, want to re-open the tip in the new year or sooner if a large amount of fill became available. There also appeared to be a conflict over the amount of grass Christie Excavations were to lay. They wanted to only grass the playing fields whist the contract called for the entire site to be grassed.

Mrs Anderson believed that the matter might become litigious as Christie's had re-drafted and re-submitted the agreement with some substantial differences. She suggested in her letter dated 4th November 1976 ⁶⁸ that "it might be to the Club's advantage if a member of the Bar, sympathetic to Rugby Union, and willing to assist us might be approached."

Mrs Anderson also wrote to Christie excavations the same day ⁶⁹ outlining the points of agreement reached at the 24th September meeting.

On 1st December ^70,\ 71^ Mrs Anderson confirmed that Mr Bruce James, a barrister, had offered his services to the Club and had been comprehensively briefed. Readers may find it worthwhile reading this inclusion as it encapsulates the project from day one.

Waldon Road, at this time was an unsealed Crown road and Council was not permitted to spend any money on its upkeep. On 29th December ⁷² Council confirmed that the road would be formally dedicated as a public road in view of the heavy traffic it would sustain once the construction of the football ovals was complete. Club Secretary, David Gulliford, wrote to Council on 13th March 1984 acknowledging the Council's work in sealing both Waldon Road and Dell Street. ⁷³

There is little correspondence available until a letter from Christie Civil Contracting dated 2nd March 1978 ⁷⁴ advised the Club "...due to the current circumstances of the Company we feel that we are unable to honour our agreement with your organisation. We therefore request your permission to terminate our agreement at your earliest convenience." They also provided the names of two businesses that would be prepared to take over the project on the same terms and conditions. A copy of the letter was forwarded to Mrs Anderson on 24th July.

On 24th August Mrs Anderson wrote to the Club enclosing a draft of a letter ⁷⁵ she recommended the Club send to Christie in respect of the letter received from Christie dated 2nd March.

The Club wrote to Christies Civil Contracting on 8th September ⁷⁶ expressing "surprise to receive a request to terminate the agreement without submitting, at the same time, any proposals whereby the uncompleted obligations on your company may be fulfilled." The letter also confirmed that the Club continued to regard Christies as bound by the terms of the Agreement between the parties.

On 27th March 1979 ⁷⁷ Christie Civil Contractors confirmed they were handing over the operation and responsibility of the tip in its entirety to Powershift Tractors Pty Limited subject to that company and the Club reaching a mutual agreement.

Christie Civil Contracting confirmed their agreement to assign their contract with the Club to Power Shift Tractors on 27th April 1979. ⁷⁸

Because of the lack of suitable fill, the timetable for completing the construction of the playing fields area fell behind although it was anticipated that the first playing field would be grassed by the end of the year, and in June 1980 an extension of time was sought from Council which met with their agreement in November.

At a site meeting in September 1980 attended by representatives of the Club, the Shire President, and senior members of the Shire staff, it was suggested that the Club apply to have Dell Street declared a private road. A resident in Dell Street had constructed two tennis courts and the school needed access to its grounds. There was also a suggestion that 33 ft, or half of the width of Dell Street be added to the land leased by the Club and in this way the Council's requirement for ninety-five car spaces could be achieved.

Progress continued to be slow and in October 1982 ⁷⁹ the Club confirmed to Council that the first ground had been seeded, and it was hoped it would be available for use in the 1983 season. Even as late as 16th July 1985 ⁸⁰ Powershift Tractors had not completed the earthworks and the Club wrote to Council advising the amenities building was within two weeks of being at lock up stage, the first ground had been grassed, and mini football was being played. The second field needed more topsoil and grassing and landscaping was not possible until the contractor had completed the earthworks. The Club also sought assistance from Council in the installation of lighting. The deadline for completion of the project was December 1985 and the directors were ever mindful that requirement citing poor weather and the lack of performance by the contractor as contributing factors.

An extension of time to complete the project was requested on 11th September 1985 ⁸¹ notwithstanding the planned opening of the new clubhouse was scheduled for the following month. An extension until November 1986 was approved.

The Belrose area experienced exceptional rain on 5th August 1986. Considerable topsoil was washed away and an embankment had to be restored. The Club wrote to the NSW Treasury on 2nd April 1987 ⁸² following advice from Council and the Department of Lands, requesting some financial assistance to remedy the problem and enclosed copies of the past two year's financial statements. Treasury responded on 17th June 1987 ⁸³ "An analysis of the financial statements submitted indicates that your Club should have no difficulty raising the funds necessary to meet the cost of the restoration work." The President replied to Treasury on 23rd August ⁸⁴ stating "our Club Committee was mildly amazed when we read your letter..." He restated the case and on 21st September, ⁸⁵ Treasury approved a grant of $1,160.

The land on the northern boundary was purchased by the Covenant Christian School mid-1979. Whilst the school and the Club have enjoyed a strong and mutually beneficial relationship over the years that relationship appears to have been strained in the early days.

Their concerns centred on the type of fill used in the embankments, the steep incline of the embankments, drainage and the drop between the level of the playing fields and the lowest level of the proposed school buildings which was some 11.50 metres. The development of the playing fields was proceeding by and large, in accordance with Council requirements, albeit at a slower pace than anticipated.

In April 1980 ⁸⁶, the school wrote to the Council expressing the above concerns and their solicitors continued to write to Council regularly. The school's solicitors wrote to the Council on 25th March 1983 ⁸⁷ detailing the school's discontent with the way the development was proceeding. The Club responded on 13th May ⁸⁸ refuting most of the points the school's solicitors had raised. However, Council directed the Club on 24th May ⁸⁹ to comply with the conditions of approval within twenty eight days. The relationship between the Club and the school appears to have been strained by this time and the Club wrote to Council on 7th July 1983 ⁹⁰ outlining the progress made to date and requesting the Council advise the school of the current situation.

In August 1983, ⁹¹Cr Paul Couvret, the shire President and a Belrose resident, wrote to the Club acknowledging "The Club has indeed done a tremendous amount of work and all members must be complimented on your efforts so far." He went on to say that he understood all the difficulties the Club had encountered in the past, "but your perseverance has overcome most of the difficulties." He confirmed that it was the Council's desire to seal Waldon Road but believed it should not be done until the construction of the playing fields was complete. Funding for same had been included in that year's budget. He also confirmed that Council would be prepared to germinate all the young trees and shrubs that the Club would like to plant and hand them over as seedlings. Cr Couvret was a great friend of the Club and was a councillor from 1978 until 1995 and Shire President from 1979 until 1983.

On 4th December 1984 ⁹² the school's solicitors wrote to Council's solicitor stating that the issues with the development were still unresolved but in the same letter acknowledged the school's appreciation "for the extensive use of the first playing field by the children and hoping usage would continue in the following year."

The school's solicitors wrote to the Council's Senior Planning Inspector on 18th December 1984 ⁹³ highlighting issues and seeking Council's response. A similar letter was sent to the Senior Planning Inspector on 8th February 1985 ⁹⁴. President David Gulliford wrote to Council on 14th February ⁹⁵ responding to the points raised by the school's solicitor and defending the Club's actions. He further stated that "This Club has tried to ensure good relations with our neighbours, but we are continually being told that work INSIDE our boundary may not be correct. We have allowed the children from the school to use the completed field for games." The Council replied on 1st March 1985, ⁹⁶ which was non-critical of the Club and expressing their hope that "mutual cooperation can be maintained." In a letter dated 27th March 1984 ⁹⁷ the Club Secretary wrote to Mr Ian Batchelor at the school advising "you may use the grassed playing field provided no games are played that will affect the playing surface". The school responded on 2nd April 1984 ⁹⁸ thanking the Club "for its kind offer".

The school's solicitors wrote to the Council's Reserves Engineer on 15th August 1986 ⁹⁹ complaining that following recent heavy rain there had been some slippage from the bank between the two properties. This had been one of the major points of concern the school had with the development since its inception but in the absence of any further correspondence being located it is assumed that hostilities ceased, peace was declared and the two enterprises have continued to live side by side in harmony since that time.

As with most sporting associations the income derived from membership fees was, and remains, insufficient to cover the costs associated with running a club and Wakehurst Rugby Club was no exception. In the early days when games were played at other sporting fields in the area, the Club had a modified caravan which operated as a canteen and it would be towed to whichever of the three home grounds was hosting the games. During the course of planning, lodging and construction the Club supplemented its income with annual dinners, father and son dinners and other social events. However, it was never going to be able to fund the ground and clubhouse development from its own resources.

In November 1977 ¹⁰⁰ Harry Brigden, the Club's auditor and previous Treasurer, wrote to the Club seeking "a guarantee of cash funds to meet the commitments entered into by the Company Directors." At that point it was estimated that about $50,000 was required for materials.

On 26th February 1980 ¹⁰¹ Hogg Cardiff McGrath, Quantity Surveyors, provided an estimate for the building cost of the proposed amenities building including associated drainage and parking. For whatever reason the proposed clubhouse was always referred to as the "Amenities Building". The estimate was $66,840 plus an additional $8,500 if the building were to be erected on filled ground.

On 3rd March 1980 ¹⁰² the Club made application to the Department of Sport and Recreation for financial assistance for "the development of sporting and recreational facilities." The application noted the estimated cost for the entire development at $194,158 which included the earthworks of $104,000 which was absorbed by the contractors. The grant was specifically required to assist with the cost of the amenities block ($66,050), fencing ($7,210.00) and car parking spaces ($9,290), a total of $82,550.

On 28th October ¹⁰³ the Department of Sport and Recreation wrote to the Club advising "the project was carefully considered for assistance, I regret to advise that it has not been possible to provide a grant to assist with the development of the project." The letter added that another funding programme would be available the following year.

The Club looked to reduce the cost of the amenities block for on 11th February 1981 ¹⁰⁴ and Hogg Cardiff McGrath quoted an estimate of $41,800 for the construction of the ground floor only with provision for future construction of the first floor. The committee circularised all members advising the second application for funding was about to be lodged and called for "suitable guarantors" for this project.

In March 1981 ¹⁰⁵ the Commercial Bank of Australia, later Westpac Banking Corporation, approved an overdraft facility of $15,000 subject to the Club lodging suitable security. At this time the Club was banking with ANZ, had one IBD of $8,705.49, another of $1,177.23 and a balance of $4,584.83 in its trading account.

On 3rd March 1981 ¹⁰⁶ the Club lodged its second application for funding to the Department of Sport and Recreation which was supported by Council. The total cost of the works was stated at $52,000 for which the Club sought assistance of $24,000. The financial statements for the Club for the period ended 30th September 1980 showed $3,941 in the bank and $8,335 in an IBD.

On 19th October 1981 ¹⁰⁷ the Department of Sport and Recreation wrote advising "the project was carefully considered for assistance, I regret to advise that it has not been possible to provide a grant to assist with the development of the project." The letter added that an other funding programme would be available the following year. It could have been the same letter sent the previous year but with a different date!

On 28th October 1981 ¹⁰⁸ President, David Gulliford wrote to Councillor Julie Sutton, who was one of the three local elected councillors, seeking assistance in advancing the project. He said, "it is indeed gratifying to the Directors to have a public personality such as yourself take an interest in our efforts which commenced over 8 years ago and have been subject to a series of set-backs and frustrations due to many reasons." Mr Gulliford noted that no credit was given for the work in progress and already completed and "cash in the bank" appeared to be the only asset recognised by the Department. This was an astute move, and Mrs Sutton has been a great supporter of the Club since that time and has been personally responsible for the Club receiving subsequent, substantial financial assistance.

Mrs Sutton's responded on 11th November praising the work the Club had done to date in respect of this project. She had discussed the matter with the Department of Sport and Recreation and believed a favourable decision would be made. Mrs Sutton confirmed that she would give the Club "all the support she can at both State and State Government levels." ¹⁰⁹

It would be remiss not to highlight the many achievements of Mrs Sutton and at her final Council meeting on 24th August 2012 Mayor Regan said "Councillor Sutton has only ever missed one council meeting since she joined Council in 1980 -- this is quite a remarkable testament to her work ethic and commitment to her role as a Councillor. Councillor Sutton will of course be fondly remembered for her epic contribution to this community by our local MPs, former Councillors, staff and the residents -- she has worked incredibly hard and achieved a great many things. Councillor Sutton has had an impact on us all. She has entertained us with her wit and reminded us of what really matters within this community. I know that while she will no longer be sitting here at this table, she will continue to work tirelessly as she always has to help so many and the community she loves."

Mrs Sutton became Mayor of Warringah in September 1995 (Council had replaced the position of Shire President with Mayor the previous year) serving one term.

On 13th November 1981 the Club lodged a preliminary Development Application with the Council for the erection of the amenities building and on 10th February 1982 Council advised its preliminary requirments in order that a new submission could be considered.

The ANZ bank advised approval of a loan of $15,000 over seven years at 13.50% subject to satisfactory security being offered on 24th February 1982. The following day, Hogg Cardiff and McGrath ¹¹⁰ confirmed their revised estimate for the construction of the ground floor portion of the amenities block to now be $46,270.

The Club resubmitted its application for funding assistance to the Department of Sport and Recreation on 1st March 1982 ¹¹¹. This time asking for a grant of $24,000 against expenditure of $53,000 which required the Club to find $14,000 over and above the proposed ANZ loan.

Mr Gulliford wrote to all Warringah Councillors in March 1982 ¹¹² outlining the Club's ambitions in creating new playing fields stating that work had commenced eight years previous, in 1975, and sought their support.

One Councillor replied confirming his support, but second to his support for the Manly-Warringah Netball Association submission. Another Councillor confirmed that Council staff had ranked the Club's request fourth on the list of submissions it had received from various sporting bodies but he confirmed that Councillors had voted it number two. The local State member, Dr Terry Wetherill wrote to The Hon Mike Cleary, State Minister for Sport and Recreation, on 14th April strongly supporting the Club's request. In a note to the Club, Dr Wetherill suggested that "the Department and Minister would find it difficult to reject this request as it had made a grant of $15,000 to Belrose Rugby League the previous year" ¹¹³. The good doctor was wrong as the submission was again overlooked.

In October 1982 ¹¹⁴ The Department of Leisure, Sport and Tourism wrote to the Club advising the State Government had set aside ten million dollars in the 1982/83 budget for employment generating projects of which two million dollars would be made available for sporting and recreation projects which could be carried out in accordance with the guidelines of the scheme. Director K.M Brown thought that the Wakehurst project might be eligible and recommended a further application for funding be lodged. There is no evidence available as to whether or not an application was lodged.

By this time the Club had become experts at submitting requests for funding assistance and on 13th October 1983 ¹¹⁵ resubmitted its application to the Department of Sport and Recreation. Black and McGrath, confirmed the revised cost for the construction of the ground floor only of the amenities block was now $50,900 ¹¹⁶ plus $6,730 ancillary expenses. The Club asked for a grant of $27,630 and it would fund the balance of $30,000 with half of that being provided by a bank overdraft and the balance from its cash reserves.

On 21st March 1984 ¹¹⁷, the eagle landed. Michael Cleary, the Minister for Sport and Recreation wrote to the club confirming the approval. Dr Metherill ¹¹⁸ wrote on 29th March stating "I have great pleasure in advising you of the State Government's approval of a grant of $27,630 towards the cost of construction of Stage 1 of an amenities building at Wakehurst Rugby Club." No doubt there was a collective sigh of relief from past and present members.

An agreement had been reached with an organisation known as The Building Apprentices Training Limited, which provided a safety net for out-of-trade building apprentices, to construct the amenities block with the Club supplying most of the material as and when required. They provided a written estimate on 4th May 1984 ¹¹⁹ of $80,000 for the construction of a two storey building. Clause 19 indicates that most of the labour cost would be at the expense of the company. On 18th June 1984 ¹²⁰David Gulliford wrote to Building Apprentices Training Limited formally requesting them to commence construction.

Westpac confirmed on 11th September 1984 ¹²¹ that security documentation had been completed with the guarantees of David Gulliford, Stuart Sercombe, Ralph Schubert, Michael Hartley and Bill Burgess, each to the extent of $4000.

The official laying of the foundation stone for the new clubhouse was made by Cr Paul Couvret on Sunday 16th September 1984.

It would be remiss not to mention the contribution and expertise Mr Mike Harley gave to the Club. He project managed the construction of the Clubhouse and in his honour the bar was named the "Mike Harley Room."

The opening of the new clubhouse was set for Sunday 13rd October 1985 and the Hon Michael Cleary and Sir Nicholas Shehadie OBE, President of the Australian Rugby Union were invited to attend. A game between the President's XV and the Chairman's XV took place before the official opening and details of the teams, coaches and officials follows. It is pertinent to note that two Wallabies filled the coaching roles:

• > WAKEHURST RUGBY CLUB > > OPENING DAY
• CHAIRMANS XV
• 13 OCTOBER 1985
• PRESIDENTS XV
• : GAME COORDINATOR G Cawood

The first "proper" game to be played on the new field was Wakehurst Under 9's v Newport and the "sky blues" won.

After a decade in the making and a very considerable amount of challenging work by a very dedicated group of unpaid volunteers, a dream was realised. A reading of the large amount of correspondence which survives is testament to the effort which had gone into this project. It is doubtful if any amateur, sporting club in Sydney has managed to bring to fruition a project such as this one by Wakehurst Rugby Club.

Whilst the Club is most grateful to the Council for its support during the development of Wakehurst Rugby Park the community has derived a first class sporting field complete with an amenities block at no cost to the ratepayers. One can only hazard a guess at what the complex is worth today. Furthermore, the Council bears no ongoing expense in maintaining the ground as this also is the responsibility of the Club.

A continuing side benefit for the Council has been that since the completion of our playing fields the Club has no longer needed to train and play games on other local sporting fields which has then freed them up for the use of other sporting clubs. The Wakehurst ground is also made available to other users wherever possible.

The resilience of the Club was again tested in 1985. As recorded here, the Club fought for five years to get a lease over the reserve it wanted to convert into playing fields. It eventually received some funding assistance, had survived the liquidation of the company contracted to complete the earthworks and had to cope with regular flooding from a blocked drain on Forest Way. It also had to deal with a barrage of correspondence from the school's solicitors and had to raise the balance of the funding required to complete the project. Five Club members gave their personal guarantees to secure an overdraft. But then the directors had to deal with an Administrator because in December 1985 the Wran Government dismissed Warringah Council amid allegations of bribery and dissatisfaction with the handling of some development applications (nothing to do with the Wakehurst project). It was "subsequently found that there had been no evidence of corruption to support the dismissal, and that the elected councillors were denied natural justice and were both unfairly and unlawfully dismissed".

Although by 1985 the playing fields had been developed, including one full sized ground and two mini fields, and the clubhouse opened, the Club was still required to provide ninety-five paved car spaces, fencing and landscape the ground, including the planting of 800 trees. All this should have been completed by the end of 1985. President Ralph Schubert wrote to the Administrator, Richard Connolly, on 29th June 1986 outlining what the Club had achieved to date and explaining that lack of funds had precluded the project being completed within the approved time and requested an extension of time. He also wrote to the Council advising that the proposed fencing was to be replaced with a 450mm high timber rail and post fence. Council confirmed an extension until 31st December 1988.

In November 1990 ¹²²Council advised that it had been provided with the base date 1983 valuation of Wakehurst Rugby Park by the Valuer General which was the first time it had been valued. It issued a Supplementary Rate Notice of $3,377.25 covering the years 1989 and 1990. The land value was established at $120,000 and the rates included a "garbage and cleaning' charge.

It is likely that Council at this stage had assessed many local sporting associations occupying Council owned land, including many bowling clubs, and had received much criticism for this action. From reading the files it appears Council established a Special Committee to Consider Donations in Lieu of Rates.

On 7th February 1991 ¹²³President Michael Matchett wrote to that committee expressing the members "great alarm" at receiving the assessment. He put the case that the Club had converted a piece of waste ground into a playing arena, erected a brick clubhouse and vacated other local grounds previously used for training and games. All costs had been borne, one way or another, by the Club save for a grant from the Department of Sport and Recreation of $27,630. He further pointed out that other sporting clubs within the Shire used fields and associated facilities, maintained, improved and cleaned by the Shire at no cost to them but Wakehurst Rugby Club received no such benefits. He went on stating that the Club had never been assessed for years prior to 1989 and the Council had never provided it with garbage removal or cleaning services. Mr Matchett asked Council to consider the Council provide a donation to the Club equal to the assessed rates for past and future years.

It did not take Council long to consider this request for on 12th February ¹²⁴ the Administrative Manager wrote advising "Council has specifically resolved not to grant donations to offset rates to sporting and community organisations."

On 22nd March Cr Couvret ¹²⁵ issued a Notice of Motion to the General Manaager/Shire Clerk instructing that the matter of Wakehurst Rugby Club requesting a donation to offset outstanding and future rates be dicussed at the next ordinary meeting and that a Club representative be permitted to address the meeting.

Council continued to write to the Club demanding payment of outstanding rates and on 20th May ¹²⁶ advised that a Statement of Liquidated Claim was being prepared to serve on the Club.

John Childs, the Club secretary, met a Council representative on 26th July 1991¹²⁷ and presented him with a formal application for the abovementioned donation. Mr Childs queried why the Club was assessed on the entire ground when golf clubs were only assessed on the footprint of their clubhouse. The Council employee volunteered that in his opinion the Club had been rated incorrectly.

A report from the next Ordinary Meeting of Council on 30th July ¹²⁸ that:

• Bowling Clubs on property under care and management by Council be advised that Council rates must be paid in full.
• On an annual basis clubs could apply to Council for a rebate of up to 90% of the assessment.
• Consideration will not be given to Bowling Clubs unless they had a lease with Council.
• A statement outlining Council's policy with respect to annual donation offsets up to a maximum of 90% be included in the lease.

The report suggested that Council may wish to apply the same procedure to the two Clubs under review." The other club was Forestville Junior Rugby League Club.

In the early 2000's the Council reduced the rates accepting there was no garbage collection service provided and further reduced the rates to an amount based on the footprint of the clubhouse rather than the entire block of land. An appeal to Council in about 2019 resulted in Council refunding a portion of the rates paid by the Club in recent years.

1999 saw another remarkable advancement in the facilities provided at Wakehurst Rugby Park. The then drainage left much to be desired, and the ground was frequently waterlogged in adverse weather. Nevertheless, as the Club had control of the ground, it always played its home games and made the ground available to other clubs where practical. Wakehurst Rugby Park continues to be in great demand when other Council grounds must close due to inclement weather.

Training was conducted in the evenings with the only lighting being three small floodlights on the clubhouse roof which only projected satisfactory lighting immediately in front of the clubhouse. Being a small club, it was difficult to raise sufficient funds to overcome either the drainage or the lighting issues.

In 1998 President Rick Sleeman opened negotiations with Cody Outdoor Advertising to consider an arrangement that would provide an ongoing income stream to the Club that would enable it to carry out some capital projects.

Cody's would erect a two sided, illuminated, angle sign on the ground facing Forest Way which, at that time was declared to have 75,000 vehicle movements each day. Each face of the sign was to be nine metres in length. Cody's proposed to submit the plans, finance the erection of the signs and pay the Club $50,000 in the first year which would be indexed to CPI for a total of ten years with an option to extend. They even offered the Council the right to have the final say on any advertisement Cody's proposed. There were several meetings at the ground with Cody's and the Councils representatives present.

The DA was submitted to Council and on the night of the meeting, when the matter was to be discussed, Wakehurst Rugby Club fronted Council Chambers with more than twenty mini and junior players in their Wakehurst jumpers and a similar number of adults. Council immediately amended its timetable and put the Wakehurst matter on first. Mr Sleeman and the Cody representative spoke passionately about the project but when the vote was held the proposal was defeated by one vote. Some Councillors thought that such a sign on Forest Way would detract from its rural feel but the quality of home painted signage that existed along Forest Way could hardly have been described as aesthetic. Club members were crestfallen but our dear friend, Julie Sutton, came to our rescue again. She spoke highly of the Club and what it had achieved in its short life and proposed that Council should make an ex-gratia payment to the Club. A vote was taken, and Council immediately confirmed a grant of $20,000. Mrs Sutton was not finished and asked Councillors to consider a further grant to be discussed at their next meeting. The result was another grant, this time $50,000 to be made available immediately.

Whilst missing year on year income from the proposed sign the Club suddenly had a windfall of $70,000 to assist with ground improvements.

The committee assessed that the most pressing demands on the Club were the installation of drainage and the illumination of the ground. It called for quotations to instal drainage from three companies and their quotes were far greater than the Club could afford and Mr Maurice Robinson, an active, and now life-member who was a plumber by trade, inspected the diagrams one of the tenderers had provided, and declared that he could do the job himself.

Lateral trenches one and a half metres apart and 500mm deep were dug the length of the playing field at no cost to the Club as the task was undertaken by a volunteer father. Five kilometres of four inch ag pipe was laid in the trenches which were refilled with soil. An eight inch pipe runs the length of the playing area on the clubhouse side of the ground into which the water drains and thence into the stormwater drain. The pump at the rear of the clubhouse, which was installed when the clubhouse was built, was also connected to the water supply. The cost to the Club was about $30,000.

Mr Don Miller, a father of one of the players and a director of a major electrical engineering company which had installed lights at many of Australia's major sporting arenas offered to assist the Club with its lighting project. He designed and supervised the installation of Wakehurst's new lights and was able to secure a substantial discount on the cables and light fittings. In short, light poles were installed at each corner of the ground each carrying four incandescent lamps with the wiring traced back to the pole nearest the clubhouse. The end cost was about $40,000.

By completing these two projects in-house it is estimated the Club saved more than $40,000.

These two initiatives were carried out at the end of the 1999 season and transformed the Club into one of the best sporting facilities in the area. At that time Wakehurst arguably had the best lighted ground on the north shore, enabling it to host Friday night football when three games were played most weeks. This was welcomed by the local rugby community and greatly assisted the Club's income, and because the ground drained so quickly, it was frequently in demand from other clubs when not being used by Wakehurst.

In recent times the old globes, which were expensive to replace as they were both costly and involved hiring a cherry picker, have been replaced with LED lights.

The original playing fields had been located north to south across the ground. That is, from Waldon Road to the boundary with the school. At this point there was a full size ground and a smaller one suitable for minis football with a gully between them. It soon became apparent that it would be necessary to relocate the playing area due to so many footballs being lost in the overgrown lantana bush between the ground and the school.

During the off season between 1986 and 1987 the playing area was relocated so it ran east to west. That is from Forest Way to Dell Road. The minis field was dispensed with, and the Club then had only one formal ground but plenty of available space for the minis to play their games.

In 1987 Aussat Pty Limited, a government owned company which operated Australia's national satellite system, was located in Belrose behind the ground on the site now occupied by Optus. Aussat generously donated $2,000 to the Club to enable the purchase of our new goal posts.

It became evident that the newly sited ground was still too close to the northern boundary and balls were still being lost in the undergrowth. Accordingly, the ground was moved a few metres closer to the clubhouse where it has remained.

In 1997, Peter Loftus, a father of one of the juniors arrived at the ground with several oak tree saplings which he had grown from acorns, and none was bigger than about twenty centimetres. He planted them on the Waldon Road side of the ground, they flourished, and not one has been lost.

The grassed area in front of the clubhouse was often a quagmire when it rained and in 1999 a working bee paved the area with tiles provided by one of the fathers. This was further improved when Council approved a development application in 2009 to concrete the apron and the driveway and a grant was secured from the Department of Sport and Recreation to complete the project.

The upkeep of the ground is a massive task and successive committees have taken the responsibility to maintain and improve our ground. The Club has invested in machinery to aid with this task but over the years, and particularly in recent times, a small body of members have spent countless hours mowing, scoring, top dressing and keeping the ground in good condition.

At the time of writing this essay a sponsor has come forward to fund the installation of an electronic scoreboard on the far side of the ground and more applications for funding specific projects are made from time to time.

The establishment of Wakehurst Rugby Park has been a labour of love for nearly sixty years and is the result of the dedication of many, many people during that time. The ground represents a testament to the thousands of children who have represented the Club and their parents, grandparents and friends who have stood on the side line shouting "he's offside", "forward pass", "head high" in all weather and in good spirit.