Hec Bristow has probably contributed more than any other individual in the history of the club. Hec started playing rugby for Highgate School in 1935 at the age of 16, but it wasn't until 1946, when Hec returned from service in World War II, that he began playing regularly for Perth Rugby Club, as it then was. Hec played halfback and flyhalf before embarking on a long career at fullback.
The club almost closed down in 1948 due to lack of numbers, when League started and many players left the club. Perth Club amalgamated with Northern Suburbs to become Perth-Suburbs. In 1952 Hec launched the beginning of a marathon career as Club President, a position he maintained for an astounding 25 years.
In 1956 Hec was awarded life membership of the club, and in 1958 Hec managed the State team to Victoria for the Southern States Carnival. In 1961 he was made a life member of the Western Australian Rugby union. In 1973 the club moved to Morley Reserve and became Perth-Bayswater RUFC. In Hec's last year as President in 1977, the new clubrooms at Morley Reserve opened.
Hec remained an active (and vocal) club supporter and a familiar sight at Morley Reserve until his death in 1995. Hec's memory will live on at Perth-Bayswater in recognition of the immense contribution he made in a lifetime of dedication to his club and his sport.
Warren Westaway is almost certainly the holder of the record for most first grade games played in the history of the club, playing an estimated 400 first grade games -- a massive contribution to the club on the field.
Warren started playing with the club as a 16 year old in 1957 and in the following five years played all grades in the club -- sometimes all on the same day! In 1958 Warren was selected for WA Colts. He graduated to the senior rep team in 1960 for the Southern States Carnival in Adelaide and in 1961 played for Western Australia against the Wallabies.
He spent three years in New Zealand and England before returning to Perth to play first grade from 1965 to 1984. He captained first grade from 1967 to 1971 and was captain/coach in 1972 and 1973. He continued to represent Western Australia from 1965 to 1972, playing against the British Lions in 1965, the All Blacks in 1967, the Springboks in 1971 and France in 1972.
From 1985 to 1994 Warren added his experience to the lower grades and continues to play for WA Old Golds, the Golden Oldies team for ex-state players.
Warren's contribution on the administrative side is equally valuable. He served on the Management Committee from 1966 to 1982, including four years as Secretary from 1967 to 1970, and culminating in a year as President in 1983. Highlights of Warren's committee service include involvement in building and installing electricity in the new clubrooms at Morley, and the erection of poles, wiring and floodlights at Morley Reserve.
Warren's service was recognised with a Life Membership in 1973.
Bob played for Perth-Bayswater from 1963 to 1983, from colts to first grade. He played for the state colts from 1962-66 and represented Western Australia seniors from 1966-68. During his national service, Bob played for the Queensland inter-service team, and while in New South Wales played for Randwick and the NSW inter-service team. Bob represented the WA inter-service team from 1971-74, and he coached the state colts team in 1973. Bob coached Perth-Bayswater junior colts in 1991 and 1992 and was second grade manager in 2000 and 2001. He served on the Management Committee for many years including recently in 1998 and 1999, was Treasurer in 1995.
Ray grew up in Onehunga, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. He played his rugby at the Te Papapa and Manukau clubs, represented Auckland throughout the junior grades and a Auckland 2nd XV representative in 1962. Warren Westaway joined Ray at Manukau RFC in 1962 and the two travelled to England to play with Pat Colgan in London. Ray spent two seasons in London with the Twickenham and Feltham RFC and London New Zealand, and one season with Westmount in Montreal before coming to Perth in 1966 with Leone to be married, joining Warren and Pat at Perth Suburbs RFC in WA in 1967. Ray and Pat were two of the first four Kiwis to play rugby in WA
Ray played first grade in 1967-68 then returned to New Zealand. He returned to Perth in 1971 and played first grade 1971-78. During this time he won several club trophies including best forward. Ray represented Western Australia against British Combined Services from Singapore in 1967, at the Southern States Carnival in Melbourne and against the Wallabies in WA in 1968, WA Combined Services in 1973, the All Blacks in 1974 and England in 1975. Ray played second grade 79-80 before retiring from competitive rugby.
During his time at Perth Ray assisted in coaching, joined the Management committee in 1972-78 and was elected Club President for 1978-79. Ray was involved in organiszing the club transfer from Wellington Square to Morley Reserve and the name change to Perth Bayswater RFC, then the clubrooms building committee assisting in construction and electrical services.
Ray also represented the Club on the WARU Council for several years. Ray was elected a Perth-Bayswater Life member in 1980. Ray played Golden Oldies rugby with WA Old Golds 1984-2003, and with WA MUGS club 2004-5 including touring the UK, Ireland, Canada, the USA, NZ and Australia.
Barry confesses to a murky past as he began playing rugby with Nedlands colts in 1961 and continued with Neddies until 1966. After two years of frolicking in the jungles of Vietnam, Barry returned to Perth and saw the light by adding his many talents to Perth-Bayswater lower grades. From 1972-74 Barry travelled in the UK, and returned to Perth in 1975. Barry played first grade in 1978 and continued playing down the grades until the late 90s. Barry served 9 years on the Management Committee, including periods as vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Barry coached fifth grade to a grand final in 1992, and coached age grade teams until 1997, when he stepped up to colts. In 1998 Barry coached fourth grade and from 1999 to 2001 he coached third grade.
Graham started his rugby career in the club's colts from 1966 to '69, playing in the State Under 19s at the same time, and captaining the state team in 1968 and '69. Graham graduated to first grade as fullback in 1968 but switched to openside flanker for the premiership winning team of 1969. Graham played first grade until 1982, playing at number eight and lock. He coached first grade in 1982 and after a year off coached 2nd grade in 1984 and '85. Graham dusted off his boots to play lock for the 1990 premiership second grade team and again for the 1995 premiership third grade team. He continues to play with that select band of intrepid senior statesmen in the Wanderers Golden Oldies club. He managed the colts in 1993 and 1999 and second grade in 1996. On the committee front, Graham was club delegate to the WARU council from 1968 to 1975 and sat on the club's management committee from 1973 to 1978. In 1979 Graham took on the onerous role of club secretary and stepped up to the top rung as club president in 1980 and '81. Graham returned for a second stint on the committee from 1984 to 1990. Graham's dedication and immense contribution both on and off the field was recognised with a life membership in 1988.
Steve McCormick is probably the most familiar figure around Perth-Bayswater in the nineties, known and respected by players, supporters and officials in all facets of the club. He is certainly the hardest working member of the club and if there was an award for Clubman of the Decade, Stevie would win it hands down.
Steve started his rugby at Akaroa High School in Canterbury, New Zealand, but didn't continue his playing career after leaving school. He did pull on the boots for company team MacIntosh-Rowntrees in England, and on arriving in Perth in 1981 joined up with Perth-Bayswater. Steve played 4th, 3rd and 2nd grade for the club on the wing but by 1987 decided he had had enough of playing and joined the committee.
Steve coached Junior Colts to a premiership in 1988. Steve was registrar for two years and Club Captain in 1989 and 1990. Steve was Clubman of the Year in 1985 amd 1990 and received the President's Cup in 1995. In 1991 Steve was thrust into the limelight as President, a position he filled with distinction for three years. He was manager of first grade in 1994, 1995 and 1998, and Vice President in 1996. In 1997 Steve opted for a position on the committee in charge of merchandise and returned in 2001 to mastermind merchandise and the Building Committee.
Steve has won the Clubman of the Year twice (1985 and 1990), the President's Cup (1995) and in 1993 was awarded a Life Membership for his years of service to the club.
Bill began his rugby career with Sunderland in the north of England in 1959, playing all grades. Bill was captain of first grade when he left the UK in 1981 for a year in Saudi Arabia. He was a founder member of Riadh rugby club in the Gulf competition. In 1982 Bill and his wife Linda arrived in Western Australia where he joined Perth-Bayswater, initially in 3rd grade and subsequently in 1st grade. Bill played and captained first grade in the mid eighties before lapsing to the lower grades. Bill received the Captain's Cup in 1983. He played lower grades and golden oldies throughout the 90s. Bill served as club captain, committee member and social committee member in the 80s, turning to coaching in 1988 to take the Under 16s to a premiership. He coached under 18s in 1989, and 2nd grade in 1990 and 91, winning a premiership on each occasion. In 1990 Bill received Coach of the Year Award. In 1992 and 93 Bill took over first grade in difficult years for the club. In 1994 he stepped in to coach 2nd grade and assisted coaching first grade in 1995.
Maurie Day started his rugby career playing rugby league in primary school in Sydney but graduated to rugby union at Sydney Boys High School. He lapsed back into rugby league in Sydney in the late '40s, but saw the light and joined Western Suburbs Rugby Union Club NSW in the early 50s. After a break from the game he returned as a referee in 1967. He was a member of the second panel in Sydney from 1973-76, and coached Western Suburbs third grade in 1977.
He moved to Perth and recommenced refereeing in 1978, refereeing grand finals in 1979-83 (including first grade in 1982), and 1986-87. He has participated in referee coaching and allocations since 1989.
Maurie coached Perth-Bayswater U20s in 1984-85, the team making the grand finals both years and winning the flag in 1984. He was one of the club's foremost and most valuable sponsors over a long period, and was recognised with a life membership in 1993. Maurie also received Coach of the Year and the President's Cup in 1984.
Maurie was treasurer for the W.A. Referees Association in 1979, and vice-president of W.A.R.U. in 1986-87. He managed the state U21s team in 1986-87, and the state senior team in 1989-90.
Maurie also contributed to district clubs and was awarded life membership of Murdoch University Rugby Union Club in 1994. Maurie's contribution to refereeing was recognised in 1996 with life membership of the Referees' Association. His contribution to rugby in this state was recognised with life membership of WARU (now RugbyWA) in 1998. In 2000 he was honoured with an Australian Sports Award.
Mike Jones arrival in Perth in 1974 was something of an accident. He and three fellow countrymen were on their way from Wales to New Zealand to play rugby when they met former Perth stalwart Ron Pestana in Malaysia. They came to Perth at his sugggestion and never quite managed to leave.
Mike immediately plunged into Perth-Bayswater First Grade, won the Best and Fairest Award in 1974, and captained the First Grade side in 1975 when the club played its first game at Morley Reserve. During 1975 Mike also coached First Grade for half the season following the unfortunate death of coach Hugh Pestana. Mike continued to play First Grade until 1980 but also played other grades, such as Second Grade in the 1977 grand final. Mike has continued playing and coaching, and has the distinction of captaining and coaching every grade in the club at some time. Mike coached third grade to a Premiership in 1995, and coached fifth grade in 2000 and 2001.
Mike was on the management committee from 1975 to 1985, including a stint as Vice President, and again in 1995. Mike was Vice President in 2001. He has also been active in the Junior Club, coaching Under 12s, and he spent 3 years as Vice President of the Juniors and was Junior rep to WAJRU for 2 years.
Peter Westaway comes from a clan that needs no introduction to Perth-Bayswater supporters. Peter joined Perth-Bayswater at age 18 in 1964, but moved to Sydney in 1968. After two years in Sydney, Peter visited South Africa and stayed for five years.
Returning to Perth in 1976, Peter played throughout the grades, including several years in third grade, and first grade in 1984 and 1985. Peter continued playing and coaching, including coaching third grade in 1992, and fifth grade in 1993 and 1994. In 1992 Peter was named Coach of the Year.
Peter ran the Social Committee for a year in the 1980s, and was on the management committee in 1994 as Vice President, graduating to President of the club in 1996 for the Club's first Premiership in 27 years.
Rick Boyd enjoyed a dedicated but significantly undistinguished rugby career as a player, beginnng with the lower grades of Waimea Old Boys rugby club in Nelson, New Zealand. He also served on the management committee of that club from 1978 to 1981. Travelling to Sydney Australia late in 1981 he helped start the Sydney-New Zealand rugby club in 1982 and rose to second grade (briefly) and first grade (even more briefly), and more importantly served as publicity officer, secretary and chairman from 1982 to 1985.
He came to Perth in 1986 to work for Robert Holmes A'Court and joined Perth-Bayswater in 1987, when he started covering the club as sports reporter for the local newspaper. Playing fourth grade and later fifth grade, he served as publicity officer in 1988, and Secretary/Manager in 1989-90. He edited the club newsletter from 1988 to 2003, with a break in 1996. In 1991 he was manager of second grade and in 1992 manager of first grade, and Vice-President both years. In 1988 and 1992 Rick received the President's Cup. He was Secretary in 1993, publicity officer and assistant first grade manager in 1994, and President in 1995. After a short break he returned to the committee in 1997 and launched the club web site. In 1998 and 99 Rick was again on the committee and in 2000 and 2001 was Secretary. He was awarded life membership in 2001 and continues as club webmaster, while writing rugby coverage as a lucrative sideline for the Western Force and the RugbyWA club competition for a number of print and online outlets.
