70 Years of History

our history

In 2026, Wests Illawarra proudly celebrates 70 years at the heart of our community.

Since opening our doors in 1956, the club has grown alongside the people of the Illawarra – shaped by changing times, shared moments and generations of members who have made Wests Illawarra what it is today. This page takes you on a journey through the decades, highlighting key moments, memories and milestones that have defined our club over the past 70 years.

It’s a celebration of where we’ve come from, the people who’ve been part of the journey, and the strong community connections that continue to drive us forward.

1950's

a place to belong

Our story began in the 1950’s, when the club first opened in 1956. What started as a new local meeting place quickly grew into a central hub for sporting clubs and social groups, bringing people together and setting the tone for decades to come. Click through to explore some of the highlights from our early days.

Western Suburbs Leagues Club officially opened for business in its £50,000 premises on 28 January, 1956.

Local landowner Stanis Cook provided the first premises, situated fronting the Princes Highway at Unanderra.

The original application for a licensed football club was rejected, but the committee was told they could establish a Leagues Club involving other sports.

The 1957 Western Suburb Rugby League premiership team, who won 22-6 over Wollongong.

Recognising the decades-long contributions of Geoff Fulcher and Ron Howarth, true stalwarts of Wests Illawarra.

Another premiership win in 1959, for Western Suburb Rugby League club!

The Cardinal baseball team had many premiership wins in 1950, 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1959.

growing together

As the 1960’s unfolded, the club’s membership and community continued to grow, leading to the opening of a new, larger home. Despite this growth, the heart of the club remained unchanged – driven by local sporting groups and a strong sense of community. See some of the milestones that helped shape Wests Illawarra in the 1960’s below.

Wests Illawarra quickly outgrew its rented Princes Highway premises, so the club bought land on Maynes Parade in 1962. Construction began in 1963, and the new club was officially opened by Geoff Fulcher on 11 December 1965.

The new building brought new facilities.

Rugby league immortal, Bob Fulton, played for Wests Illawarra in 1965. Soon after, he was recruited for state and national representation, playing for Australia from 1968 to 1978 and later coaching the Australian team.

Here is Col McMormack from the Wests Snooker Club, being awarded "First Club Champion" in 1968.

One of the junior teams from the Unanderra Hearts Soccer club.

Entertainment at Wests Illawarra in the 1960's.

How did we ever cope before Air-conditioning?

Don Parish joined the Western Suburb Rugby League Football Club as captain-coach in 1968. The Red Devils then had success in the 1969 and 1970 premiership grand finals.

The Western Suburb Rugby League club had another premiership win in 1969.

cementing legacy

During the 1970’s, Wests Illawarra became a hub of sporting excellence and community spirit. The club’s golden era of rugby league was complemented by the formation of new sporting and social clubs, creating even more opportunities for connection. Take a look at some of our favourite 1970’s memories.

The first-floor additions opened in December 1970 including a large auditorium, dining room, poker machine room (i.e. where the administration offices are now located), kitchen, bar and offices.

The 1970's premiership winning team from the Western Suburb Rugby League Club.

Back to back wins for the Red Devils, in 1971!

And another immediate win in 1972 for the Western Suburb Rugby League Club.

More sporting options for the local community!

These rugby league greats played for the Western Suburbs Rugby League Club before representing Australia. (Top: David Waite, John Dorahy, Graeme Lye. Bottom: Royce Ayliffe, Steve Roach and Garry Jack).

And still going strong, over 50 years later.

John Dorahy played for the Western Suburb Rugby League club in the early 1970's before debuting at state and national grade. John also held a position on the Board of Directors at Wests Illawarra in later years.

Another social club for the Wests Illawarra community was born in the 1970's.

club pride

The 1980’s saw Wests Illawarra maintain its reputation for sporting excellence, with strong performances in rugby league, hockey and baseball. The club remained a vibrant hub for members, bringing locals together for sport and social connection. Check out the reel below to discover more memorable milestones from this period.

The front of Wests Illawarra in the 1980's.

The "Red Devils" from the 1981 premiership winning team.

The Wests Illawarra Hockey Club had much success in the 80's, scoring premiership wins in both the men's and women's first grade teams.

The 1984 premiership winning team from the Western Suburbs Rugby League Football Club.

Accolades for the Western Suburb Rugby League Juniors club, spanning decades.

1989 was another good year for the Western Suburb Rugby League club!

Cardinals Baseball team continued to be a strong force.

members at the heart

In the 1990’s, Wests Illawarra continued to enjoy sporting success, but it was also a decade defined by its members. Through their voices and involvement, they helped shape the club and make it what it is today. Explore the standout moments from the 1990’s below.

Wests Illawarra Cricket Club, pictured 1994-1995.

An incredible run of first grade wins for Wests Illawarra Cricket Club!

Some members of the Wests Illawarra Snooker Club in 1997.

Changing times... members rose up to fight for what they wanted from their local club.

Wests Illawarra Fishing Club member, Gary Fensom showing off his catch at the weigh in.

More success for the Wests Illawarra Hockey Club in the 1990's.

Club members representing Figtree High took out the 1990 Australian All-Schools Championship in Victoria.

true spirit

The 2000’s showcased the true spirit of Wests Illawarra, marked by a symbolic name change that reflected a new era. The club also strengthened its support for the local community through initiatives such as the Youth Achievement Awards, the Bandage Bear Benefit Gala Night, and more. Click through to see some of our standout moments at the turn of the millennium.

Some of Wests Illawarra's life members, pictured in 2005.

The Wests Illawarra WAVE-fm Youth Achievement Awards ran for many years in the 2000's.

Chairperson, Trevor Castle, handing an award to a winner at the Youth Achievement Awards in 2004.

Tennis great Evonne Cawley was an inspiring guest speaker at the 2004 Youth Achievement Awards.

Five-times world surfing champion Layne Beachley pictured with some of the winners from the 2003 Youth Achievement Awards.

Do you remember the Bandage Bear Benefit Gala from the 2000's?

A performer from the Bandage Bear Benefit Gala.

In 2009, the event raised a whopping amount which was donated to cancer research.

Four small hockey enthusiasts supporting the men’s first grade team before the 2000 grand final.

Recognising their Wests Illawarra roots.

Wests Illawarra Social Golf Club, pictured in the early 2000's.

More ways to connect at Wests Illawarra!

The 2009 premiership winning rugby league team.

The Western Suburbs Rugby League Reserve Grade premiers in 2005.

Some Wests Illawarra team members in 2008.

a club for everyone

During the 2010’s, Wests Illawarra continued to celebrate sporting success while still branching out into charitable endeavours. The introduction of the Heritage Luncheon recognised long-standing members. Check out the reel below to see key events from the 2010’s.

Our team looks forward to this event every year.

The Westside Rockers pictured in 2012, supported by Wests Illawarra's Project Unite program.

A performances from The Disability Trust Gala Night in 2015.

Chairperson Trevor handing a cheque at The Disability Trust Gala in 2016.

Wests Illawarra CEO Daniel Munk with The Disability Trust in 2019.

Juniors from the Kembla Joggers Social Club from 2015.

Wests Illawarra Aquatic Swimming Club at the 2016 SESA comp.

A cause that Daniel Munk has contributed to for over a decade now!

Wests Illawarra CEO, Daniel Munk at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

An old snapshot from the Wests Netball Club.

Wests Illawarra has long supported The Flagstaff Group. Pictured here in 2016.

Swimmers Jarrod Poort, Wesley Roberts, David McKeon and Emma McKeon (formerly with Wests Illawarra Aquatic Swimming Club) went to the Olympics in 2016.

Serving up pizzas, club classics and straight from the grill!

The Unanderra Hearts Soccer Senior Women's team won the 2014 grand final!

One of the Unanderra Hearts Junior teams from 2019.

The Wests Illawarra Darts Club has competed in The Southern Illawarra Darting Association Competition over a few years. They had 2 teams promoted to the Premier League, and even scored a win in 2024 and 2025 (LDA A Grade).

The Western Suburbs Rugby League Club were victorious in 2018.

community first

The 2020’s began with unprecedented challenges as COVID‑19 reshaped the way we lived, but Wests Illawarra remained committed to putting the community first. With the launch of the Community Strong program and an ever-growing focus on charitable endeavours, Wests Illawarra continues to build on its legacy, cementing its place as the people’s club. Click through to explore some of our more recent highlights.