It is published here with the permission of Ruby Patterson whose late husband, Roy Patterson, compiled & researched the document.

It is not confined to information about Junior Badminton, it is about badminton in general in Werribee.

   In about March/April 1937, Mr Gordon Fitzjohn the owner of the Werribee Newsagency and Sports Store in Station Street (still the existing Newsagency) came into the Hairdressing Salon owned by my father, Harold Loats, where I worked as an apprentice. In his hands were two odd shaped racquets and what seemed to be a cork with feathers stuck in it. He explained that they were badminton racquets and that a shuttle was used instead of a ball. Not having seen this game played we requested a loan of the racquets and shuttles for the weekend.

   On the Sunday we played on the back lawn, over the clothesline, of my father's house at 4 Watton Street, now occupied by the offices of Purcell & Purcell Solicitors. Those playing were Harold Loats, Reg Loats and Bill Mawson, who worked for my father as a hairdresser.

   The following week we arranged for Mr Fitzjohn to get two more racquets, a net and a book of rules. We then marked out the area the correct size in Fitzjohn's paddock (at the rear of the Newsagency) and put up two garden stakes for the net. During the week we had contacted Alan Barnes of the Werribee Banner and he came along to make up a four. To my mind this was the birth of badminton in Werribee. The same four played on this court for several weeks.

   From this beginning Alan Barnes started looking for a hall to play in, as it was too windy to play outside. The only available hall was the Church of England, although it was 9 inches too short we marked the back lines 6 inches up the walls. We started to play there during the Winter of 1937.

   Alan Barnes then went about the formation of a Club and the Werribee Badminton Club came into being about August/September, 1937. The Club purchased the racquets, net and shuttlecocks from Mr Fitzjohn for the Club's use as members did not, at this stage, have their own. From the above I believe that 1938 would be the first year that Badminton was fully played in Werribee. Later teams were formed, using the Drill Hall situated in Beamish Street which had two courts, and the Presbyterian Hall.

   I cannot recall an Association being formed before the War. After the War I recall Linda Reynolds contacting me about handling the money left in the Club account over to the new Badminton Association and we agreed to do this.

Reg Loats

   Records compiled by Roy Patterson, from the very beginning 1937, and research of articles taken from the Werribee Banner, held at the State Museum.

   It was ascertained in the first place that it was necessary to gain an idea of Badminton in Werribee and to research the Werribee Banner, as there are no records held in respect of the Werribee Badminton Association prior to 1952.

   The Werribee Historical Society gave Roy Patterson a letter of introduction to the Librarian at the State Museum, which was refused. A letter from the publisher of the book Badminton in Werribee had to be forwarded before permission could be gained to research the "Werribee Banner". Subsequently, the Werribee Badminton Association is the publisher.

   In an endeavour to find the very beginnings of Badminton, photocopies have been taken of the first beginnings. A story written by Reg Loats has been included.

  To put this record into effect, not only the story of the Werribee Badminton Association, but also Roy and Ruby Patterson's involvement and the formation of the Centenary Youth and Sports Club and operation 1966 - 1977, the role of that Club that lead to the Werribee Recreation Centre, to benefit the Werribee Badminton Association and also to other sports organisations, community, youth and adults alike.

Roy Patterson.

   In approximately March 1937, Mr Gordon Fitzjohn of the "Newsagency Repute" came into Loat's Hairdressing Salon armed with two odd racquets and a shuttle, and referred to a game called Badminton.

   Subsequently, a game was arranged in a paddock, which lead to a court being marked out in the Church of England Hall.

   Following this beginning, representation was subsequently presented at the Church Vestry Meetings, 1st September, 1937; 3rd October, 1937 and 1st December, 1937 by Reverend Kessel Taylor and players Alan Barnes, Reg Loats, Sylvia Daniels and Linda Reynolds. Following this small beginning, Clubs were formed at the Church of England, Presbyterian and Drill Hall which continued until the outbreak of war.

   After the war, the Werribee Badminton Association was formed. Records were very much haphazard in those days, therefore, what records were made have been lost, but It has been ascertained from Miss Betty Barnes that her brother, Alan Barnes was the first President in 1945.

   Monies from the Werribee Badminton Club were donated to the Association. Research of the "Werribee Banner', held at the State Library revealed the earliest publication, 22nd June 1950, of six teams participating. They were the Church of England, Presbyterian, St Thomas', Werribee South (Duncans Road), Vacuum Oil, Diggers Road (R.S.L.).

   To recall names of players of those days - Linda Owan, Alan Barnes, Jean Morrow, Ray Miller, Dorrie Brown, Melva Bailey (nee Kent), Grace Lancaster (nee Hegarty), Duncan Lees, Gwen Sweeting, Brian Nutter, Dorris Spark, Eddie Stowe,Ivan Knox, Neville Hudson and Betty Larkin to name a few of yesteryear.

  Clubs were accepted into the Association despite halls being, in many cases, not the correct measurements. As an example, courts were short that back lines were marked up the back wall nine to twelve inches, and where doorways were at the end of the hall the line was marked through the doorway. At the A.R.P. Hall the piano was in one corner, the Church of England old hall had roof beams through the ceiling and it was the aim in those days to hit the shuttle through the beams. At the Duncans Road Hall with the back line at one end of the hall and the switch box on the wall - many a racquet was broken on the switch box.

   The lines had to be marked out every 6 - 8 weeks, all halls accommodated one court. At Werribee South, to enable the number of players on practice nights an equal amount of practice time, a kitchen timer was used. Everyone had to attend practice night to be selected in a team.

   Match nights, the match was played and then supper was taken, enjoyed to such an extent to look forward to who could provide the best supper.

   Badminton in the period up until 1965 was only played during the Winter.

"One match night Roy Patterson was partnering Keith Edwards who had no backhand. Keith passing the racquet from right to left, missed, to result in smashing the racquet on the wall. Keith swore under his breath, picked up the racquet and slung it in the direction of the roof, it hit the back wall, and subsequently slid down the wall and caught on a nail, that racquet hung on that nail for quite a long time!"

   Roy Patterson, the writer, and his wife Ruby started in 1948 at the Werribee South Club. In 1960 they came to live in Werribee and transferred to the R.S.L. Club. From the first beginning they encouraged young boys and girls to play Badminton, they had built up a number of juniors that followed to the R.S.L. So began a continuing growth of young players and it was needed to fulfil the needs of the players to use the hall three to four times a week.

   In 1966 Centenary hall Supper Room was offered to the Association for Badminton, but after due consideration it was decided that this hall could be conducted far better by a Club, therefore the R.S.L. Club transferred to the hall. All other Clubs remained at their halls. R.S.L. became Centenary Badminton Club and then the Summer Competition was introduced to Werribee.

   Teams from Centenary and Werribee South entered in Western Suburbs Badminton

   Association Summer Season 1967. Summer season was introduced to Werribee Badminton Association besides Winter Competition. Hall rental was $8 a night, an unheard of court rental which meant that the sport had to adapt to playing the whole year and the number of players maintained throughout the year.

   In 1967 the Main Hall was offered at $20.00 a night rental besides having to meet the Supper Room rental of $8.00. This was an unheard of event, an answer to the ideals set in motion 2 years earlier to establish a Badminton Stadium. This was almost a dream come true, it was accepted on the proviso of having a residency of 5 years, the estimated time needed to establish the Club. Here a new concept, no knowledge, experience or assistance to conduct such an operation.

   Our relations and friends advised us not to have a bar of it, but the Committee decided to give it a go for twelve months, if it failed, pay up and get out. A decision had to be made whether to conduct an 'exclusive club" or to conduct a Club open to all who wished to join, at fees all could afford to pay, the latter was the decision.

   The Centenary Club started with 67 players in 1967, fielded 11 teams, 6 in a team, with one reserve, everyone was told no excuse for not playing. There was an explosion of players, which reached 196 in six weeks. This meant a new format had to be found, as more players joined, more teams were formed and more grades made to accommodate these new teams.

   Finance was needed to fully equip this venture. Finance was sought, but owing to being on private property it was refused. Through the Werribee Badminton Association affiliation with Werribee Associated Sporting Bodies a $300 loan was obtained, repayable at $60 a year for a period of five years. A loan was also obtained for better lighting to be installed. This was repayable by the Hall Committee at $1 per night of usage in the amount of $365. Balance of finance needed for equipment was gained through creditors, and players who charged no interest, to be repaid as finance was available.

"Of the times players took advantage of the hall conditions. At the old Church of Eng land Hall the aim was to hit the shuttle up amongst the rafters to offset the opposition. At Duncans Road you served the shuttle through the lights which were on the centre line of the court, players lost sight of the shuttle taking the serve. Also at Duncans Road, players aimed the shuttle deep to one end where the back line finished at the wall. Many a racquet was smashed on the switch box retrieving the shuttle."

   During these first years at Centenary Hall, the decision was made to look at ways of building a new Badminton Stadium. The first negotiations met with a snag when it was found that the Government gave out Grants only to Multi-Sports Stadiums. A proposal was lodged through Werribee Associated Sporting Bodies to the Werribee Shire Council for the Werribee Multi-Sports Stadium in September 1974.

   Badminton, at that time, was required to give estimates of cost of such a stadium, the income, running expenditure, approximate usage, number of organisations to use the Stadium and other various requirements had to be supplied to the Werribee Shire Council. There were many adversities involved in the endeavour to gain the Stadium.

   Red Herrings and brick walls, but ways were found to overcome these obstacles in order to attain the goal that had been set. It was later found out that all that was needed was to lodge a proposal for the Stadium with the Council.

   While the amount of information needed and the time involved, Badminton was still having to be conducted, after three and a half years at Centenary Hall and daylight was starting to emerge. Centenary Hall was sold, Werribee Shire Council had purchased it, subsequently sport was debarred, and Badminton lost to having such a large venue. Membership at this stage was 150 juniors and 180 adults. In vain we sought for another venue to accommodate the membership. It was either fold up or use every available hall in the district and hope the situation would improve. Owing to the high rentals of the small halls, the majority of the juniors were lost.

   In September 1973 the Palais Theatre was gained for rental by the Club, and subsequently changing its name to the Centenary Youth and Sports Club. Late 1973 Club membership reached five hundred members. Despite high expenditure, we were able to use the Theatre seven days/nights per week. There were two competition courts, one practice court, table tennis competitions held upstairs, senior competition badminton and table tennis, junior badminton and table tennis competitions, junior coaching, Ladies daytime badminton competitions, social activities and a creche. On Sundays, V.B.A. Pennant, Junior Friday night 'Pop-In", pool table and record player.

   It was found in November 1974 that the Multi-Sports Stadium had been pigeon holed. Once again action had to be undertaken to pressurise the proposal. Petitions were obtained and Councillor Neville Hudson and Athol Guy, MP were involved in the follow up towards the Stadium.

   In 1976 the Club again found themselves in difficulty as the Palais Theatre was sold to Treasurway. The Stadium by this time had started to be constructed. The Club either had to close up or obtain suitable accommodation, so again back to Centenary Hall, temporarily, until the Stadium was completed in 1977. Six courts and four table tennis tables were used three nights a week. Roy and Ruby Patterson and Werribee Shire Council were Trustees for the Club in respect of Centenary Hall.

"Little River had a floor like a glaciarium (dance floor), if one moved one way to take a shot, they could forget about moving back to retrieve it. To serve successfully at Little River was to serve over the fluorescent lights that hung on chains."

  Badminton had been played from 1937 - 1965, Winter only at first, then Summer competition came into being, with rentals being required throughout the year. The other aspect at that time, due to the large numbers of Junior and Senior players, was whether to play for fun or competitively. What was not generally seen was the large amount of work accomplished by a few for the benefit of many. At Centenary Hall the equipment was set up before play, and dismantled at the end of each night's play. At the Palais Theatre, the equipment remained in place. Chores that were continually undertaken were repair and maintenance, cleaning of floors, lights and toilets, windows and general jobs that needed to be done. Stock control was also undertaken and a regular working bee was held every Sunday morning.

   Spring Season started in 1978. From 1937 - 1970 there were three men and three ladies in a team, from 1970 - 1990 two men and two ladies in a team.

   In the early days of the Association, only the Executive was elected, two delegates per Club to conduct meetings of the Association, until 1973 when a Committee was elected as well as the Executive.

   Apparently, not much attention was paid to minutes and other various records, 1952 is the only evidence of any recordings and they were somewhat brief. Clubs and teams were confined to mainly one team per Club, some had two teams. The teams were Church of England, Werribee South (Duncans Road), Little River, Vacuum Oil, Diggers Road (R.S.L.), and Presbyterian. There was little change from the first beginnings to 1945. Such names as Duncan Lees, Aub Bailey, Harry James, Keith Edwards, Alan Barnes, Ray Miller, Brian Nutter, Bruce Goates, and Jack Devlin. The ladies included Melva Kent, Grace Hegarty, Val Hegarty, Linda Reynolds, Dorrie Brown, Jean Morrow were a few that contributed a great deal to the Association.

In 1954 the wood rule was abolished. Diggers Road and Vacuum Oil disappeared from the scene, Pt Cook and Laverton RAAF joined the Association in 1957. Feather shuttles had been in use since the beginning, in 1958 the Association changed to using Carlton Blue Band nylon shuttles.

   In 1957 -1958 Inter Association competition between Werribee and Geelong commenced and continued to be played until 1963 when Colac joined. In 1964 the V.B.A. defined that Victoria have eight Regions, the Regions to play off to a Final and to finish with the Champion Region of the State. Werribee came into Region 5. At a meeting of Associations in Region 5 there came into being a yearly competition, known as the Regional and Albion Trophy Aggregate Competition. Ballarat and Maryborough joined the competition in 1972. The competition proceeded successfully and the players enjoyed both the matches and meeting players from other centres, until the V.B.A. altered the boundaries and the Inter-Association fell apart. The Albion Trophy Aggregate comprised of three teams of each Association competing over a day's play, the Association with the best aggregate score won the Trophy. This allowed lesser grade players competition on an Inter-Association basis, Regional standard players could not enter.

"If one had the pleasure to go to Gisborne and play the match, the supper comprised of soup, pies, dessert and cakes. It was nothing to leave Gisborne in the early hours in cold and frosty mornings or heavy fogs."

 The Association had the opportunity of entering teams in Country Week conducted by the V.B.A. Country Week was determined to be outside the twenty mile radius of Melbourne since the early fifties, then the V.B.A. moved to alter the boundaries. There was a continual battle by the Werribee Association to retain the right to play in Country Week and eventually the Association lost the battle in 1973 when the boundary was shifted to 35 miles from Melbourne.

   The Association played for a few short years in the V.B.A. Pennant, 1972 1977, Werribee was eventually graded out of the Pennant competition. Feather shuttles again were accepted back into the competition. Grades A, B, C were introduced in 1967, then later D and later still E Grade. Werribee had been an Association since the beginning to 1977 whereby Clubs had registered with the Association and teams from Clubs entered into the competition. The Association subsequently graded the teams.

   Clubs had a representation in the Association of two delegates per Club.This method of operation had been in vogue since the beginning. There arose an imbalance, with Centenary having forty-eight teams and having only two delegates, while five other Clubs had two delegates each. In 1977 Centenary and Werribee South put the proposal that there be teams and that clubs be abolished. All teams were to be registered with the Association. Clubs at that time had reached:- Centenary (48), Laverton Memorial, Werribee South, Bacchus Marsh, Deer Park, Trinity and Presbyterian.

Werribee Centenary 1863 - 1963

   On behalf of the Centenary Celebrations the Werribee Badminton Association put on a display of badminton which was in the form of an Exhibition Match at the Palais Theatre courtesy of the V.B.A. There were two teams which consisted of State players and three hundred and fifty people attended the match. It was the highest attendance at a match of this type at that time.

   Werribee Shire Council donated the Centenary Shield to the Premier Team, Presbyterian, at the end of the season. In 1973 the Werribee Badminton Association changed in operation of executive and delegates to having elections of executive and committee which remains to this day. With the registration of teams, spelt the end of Clubs.

Werribee Recreation Centre

   In 1977 Badminton moved to the Werribee Recreation Centre. The Centre opened in September 1977 and the remainder of the Spring Season was conducted at the Centre having been transferred from Centenary Hall. The Werribee Shire Council allocated us four courts, four nights a week, and table tennis one night. Laverton Memorial Hall still operated two courts. The Werribee Badminton Association had representation on the Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. The Werribee Ladies Badminton Association was formed in 1978.

"One night at Pt Cook 'Spud Nutter' moved back on Gordon Morrow who was setting up to smash, executed the shot, but in the follow through Spud's head got in the way to result in a lump the size of an egg!"

   Roy Patterson was named Citizen of the Year' in 1978, as the instigator of the Werribee Recreation Centre 1964 - 1977. Co-operation through Cr. Neville Hudson, Shire Engineer - John Nicol, Mr Athol Guy - MP, Department of Youth, Sport and Recreation (Grants) and the Werribee Shire Council.

   In 1979 Stage 2 was completed, a further eight courts were built to complete a total of twelve. As the Stadium was a Multi-Sports Complex, Badminton had to share with Basketball and Volleyball and Table Tennis had a separate section.

   In 1980 the Werribee Junior Badminton Association (W.J.B.A.) was formed and put into operation. From the beginning juniors had been part of the Werribee Badminton Association, from 1980 onwards the Junior Association conducted all affairs in relation to juniors. The W.J.B.A. did not register with the Association, but was affiliated with the W.B.A. The W.L.B.A. did not register with the Association, but a large number of ladies still remained registered players of W.B.A. The W.J.B.A. registered teams with the Association.

   The W.J.B.A. set up coaching clinics throughout the years, having six coaches at their disposal. The W.B.J.A. has been and still is, a vital adjunct to the W.B.A., and a continuing flow of juniors have contributed to the Association.

   The Werribee Badminton Association became incorporated on the 23 March, 1984.Werribee became involved with team representation in the V.B.A. Metropolitan Team Championships between 1985 - 88.

   In 1989 Werribee Badminton Association became part of the West Metropolitan Graded Competition in the overall Statewide Graded Competition. The Competition was conducted in the first year on an experimental basis. The first year Werribee entered eleven teams, won B Grade but was defeated in the Final at Kilsyth. The Statewide competition is now attracting a greater interest. In 1990 Werribee was more successful winning A, B and C Grades in the West Metropolitan Tournament but lost out in the Finals at Kilsyth. Western Suburbs won D and E Grades in West Metropolitan and went on to win in the Finals in both Grades at Kilsyth.

In 1989 three juniors, Michelle Bamford, Paul Staight and Matthew McCarthy were selected to play for Victoria in Brisbane at the Australian Junior Team Championships. Eight juniors from Werribee won the Under 12 Grade in West Metropolitan Teams Tournament and played in the Victorian Junior Teams Tournament. Eleven Werribee Juniors were selected to play in the Regional Tournament at Ballarat.

   In 1990 three juniors, Michelle Bamford, David Bamford and Paul Staight were selected to play for Victoria in New Zealand. In the West Metropolitan Tournament, Werribee won Under 16, 14 and 12 and at the Victorian Teams Tournament won Under 14 and Under 12 in B Grade. Sixteen juniors were selected to represent West Metropolitan at Ballarat in the Teams Tournament.

"Playing Ballarat one night at Lake Wendouree Boatshed, during the course of play smoke drifted through the floorboards from the BBQ downstairs. On another occasion at Ballarat, the Werribee players remarked on having to play the old bloke in Bombay Bloomers. They soon changed their opinion when they walked off the court dripping with sweat, beaten 21-0. The old bloke in Bombay Bloomers walked off the court cool as a cucumber!"

   Roy Patterson was a delegate for Werribee South (Duncans Road) Club from 1948 -1952.

   All records prior to 1952 have been lost.

   From the period 1952 - 1970 no Committee was elected, only delegates attended meetings, therefore the names of delegates are included in the records of executives to 1970, since that time to the present, executives and committees are shown in the records, meetings were limited in the early years.

"In the days when the younger players wore the stovepipe trousers, a player was getting ready to play his next match. He pulled down his trousers but had forgotten to button up his shorts, the end result to leave him standing in his jocks, much to the mirth of the ladies! "

1952.  Werribee Badminton Association affiliated with Victorian Badminton Association.

1953. Affiliated with Victorian Badminton Association. Werribee South (Duncans Road), Diggers Road,              Little River, Presbyterian, R.S.L.,Vacuum oil.
1954. Affiliated with Victorian Badminton Association. Werribee South (Duncans Road), Diggers Road, Little River, Stanvac (Vacuum Oil), R.S.L., Presbyterian, Church of England.
1955. Affiliated with Victorian Badminton Association. Affiliation fee 10 shillings. Werribee South (Duncans Road), Little River, Church of England, Presbyterian, Chirnside.

Balance Sheet showed a credit of £7.16. Team registration fee 10 shillings.
 

1956. Affiliated with Victorian Badminton Association. Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Church of England - 2 teams, Presbyterian - 2 teams, Little River - 1 team, Chirnside - 1 team. Team registration fee 10 shillings.
1957. Defer affiliation with Victorian Badminton Association. Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 3 teams, Pt Cook - 3 teams, Church of England - 2 teams, Presbyterian - 2 teams, Laverton - 2 teams, Little River - 1 team. Inter-Association competition commenced - Werribee V's Geelong. First Constitution and By-Laws drafted.
1958. Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Church of England - 2 teams, Pt Cook - 2 teams, Little River - 1 team. Team registration fee £1.00. Carlton Blue band nylon shuttle used. Amended Constitution and By-Laws. Inter-Association Werribee V's Geelong.

"When Werribee V's Geelong at Geelong one Saturday night, some Werribee players had a few too many sherbets to play the match and consequently played at the shuttle that wasn't there".

10.

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  BADMINTON IN WERRIBEE 1937-1990 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS  
1959. Two Grades A and B. Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Pt Cook- 2 teams, Church of England - 2 teams, Presbyterian - 2 teams, Little River - 1 team, R.S.L. - 1 team. Carlton Red Band nylon shuttles used. Inter-Association Werribee V's Geelong.
1960. Defer affiliation with Victorian Badminton Association. Inter Association Werribee V's Geelong. Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Pt Cook - 2 teams, Presbyterian - 2 teams, R.S.L. - 2 teams, Church of England -1 team, Little River - 1 team. President Keith Vaughan died on court, 4/5/1960.
1961. Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Little River - 1 team, Truganina 1 team. Inter-Association Werribee V's Geelong. Secretary John Heward resigned, Roy Patterson became Secretary.
1962. Defer affiliation with Victorian Badminton Association. Teams to play in Country Week. Inter-Association Werribee V's Geelong. Carlton Blue Band nylon shuttles used. Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Church of England - 2 teams, Presbyterian - 2 teams, Laverton R.A.A.F - 2 teams, R.S.L. - 1 team, Truganina - 1 team. Registration fee £1.10. Constitution and By-Laws amended.
1963. Werribee Shire Centenary 1863 - 1963. Exhibition match, Victorian Badminton Association. Two State Squad Teams played at the Palais Theatre, 350 people in attendance. Affiliated with the Victorian Badminton Association. Inter-Association Werribee V's Geelong. Carlton Blue band nylon shuttles used. Six Clubs, 13 teams in A and B Grades. Presbyterian - 2 teams, Church of England 3 teams, Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, R.S.L. - 3 teams, Laverton RAAF - 2 teams, Little River - 1 team. Team Registration Fee £1.10. Player Registration Fees 2 shillings.
1964. Affiliated with the Victorian Badminton Association. Victorian Badminton Association introduces Regional Competition to the State. Victoria is divided into eight Regions. Werribee is Region 5. The Albion Quarrying Company donated the Albion Aggregate Shield. Competing Associations in Region 5 were Werribee, Geelong and Colac. Region standard players were not eligible for Albion Trophy Competition to be conducted each year. Werribee entered teams in Country Week. Plans set in motion towards a Sports Centre (Badminton Stadium) in the future. Team Registration Fee £2.00. Player Registration Fees 2 shillings and sixpence. Delegate's non-attendance at Annual Meeting were fined 10 shillings. Victorian Badminton Association player registration fee 4 shillings. Five Clubs, 13 teams, A and B Grades, Werribee South (Duncans Road - 3 teams, Presbyterian - 3 teams, R.S.L. - 4 teams, Laverton RAAF - 2 teams, Church of England - 1 team.
1965. Affiliated with the Victorian Badminton Association. Entered teams in Country Week. Regional and Albion Trophy Competition, Werribee, Geelong, Colac. Carlton Blue Band nylon shuttles were used. Five Clubs, 14 teams, A and B Grades, Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 3 teams, R.S.L. - 4 teams, Church of England - 3 teams, Presbyterian 3 teams, Little River - 1 team.
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BADMINTON IN WERRIBEE 1937 - 1990 CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS

 

1966. Registered with the Victorian Badminton Association. Entered teams in Country Week. Regional and Albion Trophy Competition, Werribee, Geelong, Colac and Ballarat. Affiliated with the Werribee Associated Sporting Bodies. Centenary Hall becomes available for Badminton, Supper Room and 2 courts. Werribee Badminton Association rejects proposal as Association venue. R.S.L. accepts proposal and changes name to Centenary Badminton Club. Centenary and Werribee South register with Western Suburbs Badminton Association Summer Competition. Constitution and By-Laws amended. Player Registration Fee 40 cents, Protest Fee $2.00. Five Clubs₇ 12 teams, 2 Grades A and B. Centenary - 4 teams, Presbyterian 3 teams, Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Church of England - 2 teams, Little River - 1 team.
1967. Registered with the Victorian Badminton Association. Summer Competition commenced. Regional and Albion Trophy competition -Werribee, Geelong, Colac and Ballarat. Centenary Main Hall which contained 6 courts became available for Badminton, in all 8 courts, 3 nights a week. Affiliated with Werribee Associated Sporting Bodies. A loan of $300 from Werribee Associated Sporting Bodies to Centenary for a period of 5 years, repayable at $60.00 a year.

Victorian Badminton Association Service Award for 10 years service was presented to Roy Patterson. Feather shuttles were used in A and B Grade and nylon shuttles in C Grade. Five Clubs, 3 Grades - A, B and C. Centenary - 11 teams, Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Presbyterian - 3 teams, Little River - 1 team. Player Registration Fee $1.00, Team Registration Fee $6.00, Junior Registration Fee 20 cents, forfeit fine $2.00.

1968. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Affiliated Werribee Associated Sporting Bodies. Summer Competition. Feather Shuttles used in A and B Grades, Nylon shuttles used in C Grade. Junior team registration 50 cents, junior player fee 10 cents. Four Clubs, 19 teams, A, B and C Grade. Centenary - 11 teams, Church of England - 3 teams, Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 3 teams, Presbyterian - 2 teams. C Grade was played on Friday nights, Centenary - 12 junior teams.
1969. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Affiliated Werribee Associated Sporting Bodies. Four Clubs, 32 teams, 3 Grades. Centenary - 24 teams, Church of England - 3 teams, Werribee South(Duncans Road) - 3 teams, Presbyterian - 2 teams.
1970. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Affiliated Werribee. Associated Sporting Bodies. Roy Patterson proposed a new type of competition to the Association. Proposal was 4 players to a team, 2 men and 2 ladies. The proposal was accepted for the new competition.

1971. Records missing. Roy Patterson was elected President.
1972. Registered Victorian Badminton Association Affiliated with Werribee Sporting Bodies. Summer Competition. Regional and Albion Trophy, 9 Werribee, Geelong, Colac, Ballarat and Maryborough. Werribee entered a team in Victorian Badminton Association Pennant Competition. Victorian Badminton Association Service Award for 10 years service was presented to Henry Smith and Murray Goates. Centenary Badminton Club changes name to Centenary Youth and Sports Club. Five Clubs, 44 teams, 5 Grades, C.Y.S.C. - 36 teams, Church of England - 2 teams, Werribee South (Duncans Road) - 2 teams, Presbyterian - 2 teams, Bacchus March - 2 teams.
1973. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Affiliated with Werribee Sporting Bodies. Werribee Shire Council purchased Centenary Hall from Mechanics Institute Trust, sport was debarred from using the Hall, and as a result Centenary Club lost its venue and the use of the courts was lost to Badminton. Centenary Youth and Sports Club had to hire as many single court halls as possible to accommodate the members, eventually the Club gained the use of the Palais Theatre which became it's base.

Petitioned Werribee Shire Council regarding the Sports Complex. V.B.A. Pennant. Summer Competition. Regional and Albion Trophy Werribee, Geelong Colac, Ballarat and Maryborough. Entered teams in V.B.A. Country Week.

Ruby Patterson organises and commences ladies daytime Badminton during the week and establishes a creche for the children. Five Clubs, Centenary, Deer Park, Werribee South (Duncans Road), Bacchus Marsh.

Constitution and By-Laws amended. First Annual General Meeting in November.

1974. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Werribee Associated Sporting Bodies terminated. Next proposal regarding Sports Complex forwarded to Werribee Shire Council on 22 July 1974. Regional and Albion Trophy. V.B.A. extended the boundary to a 35 mile radius from Melbourne which meant that Werribee was excluded from Country Week. V.B.A. changed Regional boundaries and Region 5 was terminated. V.B.A. Service Award 10 years awarded to Ruby Patterson. Seven Clubs Centenary, Laverton, Werribee South, (Duncans Road), Bacchus Marsh, Deer Park, Trinity, Presbyterian. Centenary reached 48 teams.
1975. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. V.B.A. Pennant Summer Competition. Feather shuttles A and A Reserve. W.B.A. Men's Pennant competition commenced. Six Clubs, Centenary, Trinity, Laverton RAAF, Deer Park, Laverton Memorial, Werribee South (Duncans Road).

1971. Records Missing. Roy Patterson elected President.
1972. Registered Victorian Badminton Association V.B.A. Pennant. Werribee Ladies Badminton Association affiliated with W.B.A. Werribee Recreation Centre opened (4 courts). Badminton has use of Recreation Centre - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and Saturday morning. Representative on the Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. Feather shuttles A and A Reserve, nylon shuttles all other grades. Six clubs Centenary, Trinity, Laverton RAAF, Deer Park, Laverton Memorial, Werribee South (Duncans Road).
1973. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Centenary and Werribee South place a proposal before Werribee Badminton Association to discontinue Registered Clubs to become an Association of Registered Teams, all Clubs in favour of the proposal. Roy Patterson named "Werribee Citizen of the Year", instigator of Werribee Recreation Centre 1964 - 1977. Spring Season introduced to the competition. Each year Summer, Winter, Spring. A and A Reserve feather shuttles, all other grades nylon shuttles. Reason for Registered Teams instead of Clubs. Centenary 2 delegates, 48 teams, all other Clubs 2 delegates each Club, 1 or 2 teams each. Also Clubs would have better representation. V.B.A. player registration fee $3.00, W.B.A. player registration fee $2.00, overall player fee $5.00, forfeit fee $6.00.
1974. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Summer, Winter, Spring Competition. Summer 62, Winter 63, Spring 64 teams. Roy Patterson Life Member of the Werribee Badminton Association1979.Werribee Recreation Centre Stage 2 completed (12 courts).Werribee Ladies Badminton Association disaffiliated from W.B.A. Ruby Patterson Life Member W.L.B.A.
1975. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. Formation of the Werribee Junior Badminton Association. Summer, Winter, Spring Competition. Summer 32, Winter 32, Spring 30 teams. Constitution and By-Laws amended. Junior Registration Fee $5.00.
1976. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. Summer, Winter, Spring Competition. Coaching clinics conducted by Werribee Junior Badminton Association. Coaches Roy Patterson, Robert Trewern, Norma Trewern, Ron Richardson. Winter 36, Spring 36 teams. Constitution and By-Laws amended.

1971. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. Summer, Winter, Spring Competition. Summer 31, Winter 32, Spring 30. V.B.A. Distinguished Service Award (25 years) to Roy Patterson. W.L.B.A. Life Membership to Frances Smith. Coaching Clinics conducted by W.J.B.A. Werribee Junior Badminton reaches a membership of 240.
1972. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. Summer 5 grades 31 teams, Winter 5 grades 36 teams, Spring 5 grades 38 teams. Coaching clinics conducted by W.J.B.A. coaches Roy Patterson, Robert Trewern, Ron Richardson, Graeme Mancer, and David Matthews. Werribee Badminton Life Membership, William Ashford. Constitution and By-Laws amended.
1973. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. Werribee Badminton Association Incorporated 23/3/1984. V.B.A. Distinguished Service Award (25 years) Ruby Patterson. V.B.A. Service Award (10 years) Michael Pywell. W.L.B.A. Incorporated 28/6/1984. Coaching clinics conducted by W.J.B.A. Roy Patterson, Ron Richardson, Graeme Mancer, and David Matthews as coaches.
1974. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. V.B.A. Metropolitan Team Championships 7 teams. Summer 5 Grades 34 teams, Winter 5 grades 36 teams, Spring 5 grades 32 teams. Constitution and By-Laws amended. W.J.B.A. incorporated. West Metropolitan Region of V.J.B.A. established, W.J.B.A. is a member association of W.M.R. Coaching clinics conducted by W.J.B.A. coaches Roy Patterson, Ron Richardson, Graeme Mancer, and David Matthews.
1975. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. V.B.A. Metropolitan Team Championships. W.B.A. to pay all team entry fees for Werribee Juniors participating in Victorian Junior Team Championships and Regional Championships representing West Metropolitan Region. Summer 5 Grades 34 teams, Winter 5 Grades 33 teams, Spring 5 Grades 35 teams. Coaching clinics conducted by W.J.B.A. coaches Roy Patterson, Ron Richardson, Graeme Mancer, and David Matthews.
1976. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. V.B.A. Metropolitan Team Championships. Summer 5 Grades 38 teams, Winter 5 Grades 39 teams, Spring S Grades 38 teams. Coaching clinics conducted by W.J.B.A coaches Roy Patterson, Ron Richardson, Graeme Mancer, and David Matthews.
1977. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. V.B.A. Metropolitan Team Championships 4 teams entered. Metropolitan Teams Championships to be phased out. Summer 6 Grades 37 teams, Winter 6 Grades 38 teams, Spring 6 Grades 42 teams. Coaching clinics conducted by W.J.B.A. coaches Roy Patterson, Ron Richardson, Graeme Mancer, and David Matthews.

1971. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. W.B.A. member association of West Metropolitan Region. 11 teams from Werribee A, B, C, D and E Grade, West Metropolitan Region Tournament. Werribee won B Grade and played in Statewide Graded Teams Final at Kilsyth. Summer 6 Grades 41 teams, Winter 6 Grades 39 teams, Spring 6 Grades 44 teams.8 Juniors from Werribee played in Victorian Junior Teams Championships. 11 Juniors from Werribee represented Werribee for West Metropolitan Region at the Regional Teams Championships. Paul Staight, Matthew McCarthy, Michelle Bamford were selected to represent Victoria at the Australian Junior Teams Championships in Brisbane.
1972. Registered Victorian Badminton Association. Representative Recreation Centre Advisory Committee. West Metropolitan Region Teams Tournament.11 Teams from Werribee, 24 teams took part in tournament, Werribee11, Western Suburbs 10, Macedon Ranges 3. A, B, C, D, El, E2. Werribee won A, B, C but were defeated in the finals at Kilsyth of the Statewide Graded Teams Tournament. Western Suburbs won D and E at the West Metropolitan Tournament and went on to win the finals. West Metropolitan Teams Tournament (Juniors), Werribee won Under 16, Under 14, Under 12.

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