A Short History of PCYC

a short history

The first Police Boys Club opened at Woolloomooloo, Sydney in April 1937. Officially known as the Police-Rotary Boys Club, it was set up in a disused Police Station as an initiative of the Rotary Club of Sydney, and the Police Commissioner, William John Mackay. 

The purpose of the Club was to provide a venue where boys could engage in healthy sporting, cultural and recreational pursuits and mix in a safe, non-confrontational environment. 

By the time the Club officially opened on 1 April 1937, it had a membership of 400 boys and facilities including a library with 3000 books, areas for wrestling and physical culture classes, debating, and teams in the rugby league competition.

In July 1937 the founders of the Woolloomooloo Club began the process of bringing together the other clubs and placing them under a central authority. Clubs had been established at Bega, Cooma, Cootamundra, Goulburn, Tamworth, Yass and Young, and moves were afoot to set up Balmain, St George, and Wollongong.

changing times, changing identity

On 23 September 1938 the Federation of New South Wales Police Boys Clubs was incorporated with a Council of Management comprised of William Mackay and nine others, including Police Officers, public servants and businessmen.

Over time the organisation grew strongly with Clubs being established throughout Sydney and in most regional centres around NSW. The name of the organisation has changed over time to reflect the increasing importance of community involvement.

In 1945 it became known as the Federation of Police Citizens Boys Clubs. 

In 1985 the movement became known as the Federation of Police Citizens Youth Clubs to reflect the provision of services for both males and females, although female membership had commenced many years prior.

In 1995 the name changed to Police & Community Youth Clubs NSW Ltd, or PCYC, updating the logo while retaining the Federation Star, and preparing to move forward into the next century.

on film:

Australia Today - Men of Tomorrow

http://aso.gov.au/titles/newsreels/australia-today-men-tomorrow/clip1/ 

Courtesy: National Film & Sound Archive

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