FROM BUTCHERS TO BULLDOGS
A CLUB HISTORY.
WHEN SPEAKING OF THE CHAMPIONS
ONE STANDS ABOVE THE REST
OF FORTUNES TOLD AND GLORIES OLD
THAT NEVER HAVE BEEN BEST
A FINE TRADITION WITH IN OUR CLUB
WE’VE ALWAYS STOOD THE TEST
ONWARD TO “VIC-TOR-Y”
GLORY GLORY TO THE BULLDOGS
FOUNDATION
In 1948 The Central Districts Rugby League Club was founded as the Victoria
Park Rugby League Football Club.
1n 1949 The original team playing, competed out of Raphael Park within the City
of Perth.
It wasn't long before the "Butchers or the Big “V” as they were then known to
achieve success winning their first Premiership in 1956,followed by titles in
1959,1960,1962,1968 and as Canning Bulldogs in 1978,1990,1991,1994 and
1999.The Central Districts Rugby League Football Club Inc. has evolved to be
one of the most successful clubs in Western Australia.
In 1956 we win our first Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
In 1956 Bill Hillier wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Brice
Trophy fore runner to the Ken Allen Medal.
In 1959 win Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
In 1960 win Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
In 1961 Bill Hillier wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Brice
Trophy forerunner to the Ken Allen Medal.
In 1962 win Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
In 1968 win Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
Bob Granville wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Brice
Trophy fore runner to the Ken Allen Medal.
WILSON RESERVE As the sport of Rugby League began to thrive the primitive
facilities at Raphael Park were no longer adequate for first grade football. Bill
Cole foundation President had the foresight to place the sum of twenty Pounds
as a holding fee to the Canning Council and a move was made to Wilson
Reserve in 1977 a riverside reserve on the Canning River. This was to be home
until 1999.
In 1978 wins Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
Graham Lynch wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Brice
Trophy forerunner to the Ken Allen Medal.
In 1979 Ian Walls wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Brice
Trophy fore runner to the Ken Allen Medal.
In 1979 The word had got around; that a current Sydney First-Grade Rugby
League footballer was coming to our town because of a work related transfer.
Eight local club presidents desperately wanted Gary Wright playing in their team
and I was one of the contestants.
Gary, a talented centre, caught me by surprise, this South Sydney star was at the
height of his football career, but on meeting him he didn’t fit the expected mould.
Clean cut and genuine with a beautiful young blonde wife, there was not a sign,
nary a hint of a boofhead. Nor did his knuckles touch the ground.
Being an Australian Rules dominated state there was little money for League
stars but all the president’s men were grovelling around searching for
sponsorship shillings to some how sign this bloke on. Remarkably, somebody in
the club worked as a salesman for a record company and donated 100 long play
vinyl records to add to the temptation coffers. But I was to discover that Wright
wasn’t into the cargo-cult when I invited him and his bride to our home for dinner.
On a freezing winter’s evening, when the Wrights sat down at our dining table,
along with our two friends, Pat and Yvonne Stilling. Our guest from Sydney made
it very clear that he had promised to talk with other clubs and to prove his
integrity and independence he intended to live up to his word. My heart shrunk
but my admiration for Gary Wright grew at a rapid pace. One thing for sure was
we were running low on options to win this headstrong footballer over.
Although he had only been in our town for a day or two, Gary heard of my
involvement in wine and food (I was writing a column for a Sunday Newspaper)
so he called into a bottle shop and bought bitterly cold lager and a bottle of wine
to bring to dinner.
The pink labelled wine was a Porphyry Pearl by Lindeman’s, not a wine style that
would normally make my cellar. But as I was on my best behaviour I neglected to
explain that the bottle of bubbles wasn’t exactly my taste. So I stowed the popular
Pearl Wine in my cellar.
Meanwhile, our other guests offered to drive the Wright’s to their newly rented
flat. So after a delightful dinner, the Stilling’s loaded our guests into the car while
outside, a dark, chilly night confronted us all. On arrival at the new unit/flat there
was a problem, the Wright’s furniture had not been delivered that day as
promised.
So this left a unit that was cold and bare as an Artic Penguin’s shivering bum.
Worst of all there wasn’t even a warm pillow or blanket in sight. Of course my
friends offered accommodation but Gary Wright refused, not wanting to be under
any obligation and sticking to his admirable, but glacial independence.
The Stilling’s being delightful, caring people, simply drove home many suburbs
distant. Loaded their car with bedding, pots, pans and hot water jug, drove back
and promptly dumped it at the door of the freezing flat, gave a warning knock and
drove off.
So here lies the moral of this tale. Sometimes human kindness is rewarded over
cargo-cult treasures (even including long play records). The delightful, stubborn
and honourable Gary Wright signed with our club and became a firm friend.
But like all good yarns there is a twist.
Gary Wright now a highly successful businessman in Sydney came to visit after
27 years. So I went to the cellar and there on the top shelf was the very bottle of
bubbles he had kindly and with a touch of naivety brought to dinner all those
years before…I happily presented it back to him unopened!
AS IN IMAGE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 06
Sir lunch-a-lot ( Stewart van Raalte)
In 1983 John Zahra wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Brice
Trophy fore runner to the Ken Allen Medal.
In 1984 Belmont merged with the Perth Kiwi's later to become the "Belmont
Steelers” of which Charlie Burkhart (a former State and Canning Bulldog player)
had a huge influence (later to become the first to privately own a club in the
Western Australian rugby league in 1986).
In 1990 was the start of the golden era for the Canning Bulldogs achieving six
Grand final appearances in the decade 1990, 1991,1994,1996,1998 and 1999.
In 1991 win Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
In 1992 Carl Grigg wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Ken Allen
Medal.
In 1994 win Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
Fred Sapatu wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Ken
Allen Medal.
In 1996 Grand Finalists
In 1997 saw the demise of Foundation Club Belmont, like a few Perth Clubs the
Super League War had a significant effect over the League competition and the
stresses of a financial nature and a rebuff in local interest was to see Applecross
and Mosman-Cottesloe also fall by the wayside.
CENTENARY PARK in Belmont was first occupied by the Belmont and Districts
Rugby League Football Club Inc. The "Rabbitoh's" as they were then known,
moved from Lee Reserve in Lathlain not far from Raphael Park to Centenary
Park in 1983.
In 1998 the Western Australia Rugby League "WARL"was to occupy this now
historic ground and was to be the hosting of the Bulldogs and North Beach in the
grounds first Grand Final.
Peter Trevitt wins the Western Australian Best Player award (along with
Jarred Miller of North Beach) the Ken Allen Medal.
In 1999 this venue hosted another Grand Final with the Bulldogs winning
Western Australian First Grade Premiership over arch rivals North Beach and
thus securing all three trophies the Pre-Season, Minor and Major Premierships
possibly the Club’s finest year.
In 2000 the WARL introduced the District concept with Canning Rugby League
Club given the opportunity to foster the game in the Eastern Suburbs of Perth.
Club President Stephen Mills and Club Secretary Gordon Allen met with the
Armadale and Midland Rugby League Club's and in a historic moment after many
negotiations with Jack Fry (Midland RLFC) and Bill Cody (Armadale RLFC) the
East Districts Rugby League and the" Eastern Bulldogs" were conceived.
As the" Bulldogs' home of Wilson Park was inadequate to host all grades from
juniors to seniors as was required by the League a new venue was sought.
Centenary Park was offered as a temporary arrangement. Discussions were held
with numerous venues and Cannington Raceway and Kenwick Sports Club the
front runners.
In 2001 the "Dogs" played out of the Kenwick Sports Club's Mills Park Complex
(which was the over all choice of the District) and was to see a resurgence in
spectators and player numbers, however the Kenwick Sorts Club couldn't honour
their full commitment because of financial constraints. The WARL offered an
invitation to Stephen Mills and Craig Puddy for the Bulldogs to take over the
lease of Centenary Park as the League was looking to move to the re-configured
Perth Oval with the Perth Glory Soccer Club.
In 2002 the members voted to move to the Historic Centenary Park.
Shane Brook wins the Western Australian Best Player award the Ken Allen
Medal.
In 2003 1st, Reserve grade and under 17s made the grand finals.
Eastern Bulldogs Ladies entered the competition.
In 2004 The withdrawal of Armadale RLC from the partnership and going alone
The Eastern Bulldogs and the Beechboro Brothers consolidate resources.
35 Players retire or leave the club forcing club to compete in reserve grade.
In 2005
Premier (Reserve) Grade wins the Grand Final beating the Rockingham Sharks
24-12.
Ladies lose Grand Final 10-6.
Under 16’s Win the Grand final 54-50 in extra time
In 2006 the WARL made the decision to only accept first grade clubs into the
senior competition. Having not enough players to field first and reserve grade the
club withdrew their application for seniors and concentrated on the junior
competition and will endeavor to apply again for the 2007 senior competition
Anniversary of our first Western Australian First Grade Premiership.
2007 Armadale RLC ceases operations and agrees to once again partner our
entry into first grade. Central Districts becomes the favourite to succeed as a new
name for the Club.
2008 celebrated 60th year anniversary. Made the finals in first grade premiers
under 17’s.
2009 runners up in first grade and reserve grade premiers under 17’s, under 16’s
girls league tag and premiers women’s league tag. Tim Deba Cook wins Ken
Allen Medal, 2nd Josh Benjamin and 3rd Wais Rauroro.
2010 Kalamunda council spending $750.000.00 on Pioneer Park Forrestfield.
Club moving full time if finished if not will shift in an orderly manner. Will have
three fields, change rooms, toilet facilities and a canteen sharing with a soft ball
club. Kalamunda –Canning RLFC mooted as to new name “KC BULLDOGS”
2011
SUMMARY In the late 1980's a successful partnership was formed with the
leading forklift dealer in Western Australia, Mr Laurie Puddy of WA Fork trucks
orchestrated by a chance meeting with WARL and Bulldogs Life Member Mr
Stewart Van Raalte. The results of this has seen the already dynamic Bulldogs
become the most successful club in recent times winning the 1990,1991,1994
and 1999 Grand Finals and being Runners Up in 1996,1998 and 2003.
Laurie Puddy was to go on to greater achievements, the driving force behind the
Western Reds Rugby League Club along with close friends Gordon Allen and
Stewart Van Raalte. As a result of this outstanding contribution to Rugby League
and the Bulldogs Laurie was awarded Life Membership along with Gavin Brown a
leading Perth builder and Geoff Calkin a past player and official.
YEAR
PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER
1STS COACH
1STS CAPTAIN
HONOURS
1948
FOUNDING OF CLUB
VICTORIA PARK
1949
W.COLE
E.PEARCE
D.WRIGHT
M.HAWTHORNE
B.PRITCHETT
3RD GRADE
1950
W.COLE
M.LAMBERT
M.HAWTHORNE
J.PASCOE
1ST GRADE
1952
W.COLE
K.CASSERLY O.WOOLFITT
M.HAWTHORNE
M.LAMBERT
1953
W.COLE
R.HANSEN
J.BURROWS
M.LAMBERT
RUNNERS UP
1954
J.COOK
E.PASCOE
J.BURROWS
M.LAMBERT
1955
W.CARTER
R.KEEN
E.PASCOE
B.HILLIER
B.HILLIER
1956
W.CARTER
R.KEEN
R.HANSEN
A.JENKINS
B.HILLIER
PREMIERS
1957
W.CARTER
R.ADAMS
R.THOMAS
A.JENKINS
B.HILLIER
1958
W.CARTER
R.ADAMS
R.THOMAS
A.JENKINS/L.MALONEY F.KNAPP
1959
W.CARTER
R.ADAMS
D.WILLIAMS
L.MALONEY
K.FRANKLIN
PREMIERS
1960
W.CARTER
R.ADAMS
R.HONNER
L.MALONEY
R.LAWTIE
PREMIERS
1961
W. Mc ROBERT R.ADAMS
R.HONNER
L.MALONEY
E.PASCOE
1962
W. Mc ROBERT G.LAWTIE
G.LAWTIE
L.MALONEY
R.LAWTIE
PREMIERS
1963
R.HANSEN
E.PASCOE
G.LAWTIE
L.MALONEY
R.LAWTIE
1964
H.JOHNSON
E.PASCOE
G.LAWTIE
L.MALONEY
R.LAWTIE
1965
N.DAVIS
G.LAWTIE
R.THOMAS
R.LAWTIE
R.LAWTIE
1966
G.WHITE
G.LAWTIE
R.THOMAS
R.LAWTIE
R.LAWTIE
1967
R.WINTER
R.HANSEN
G.PEARSON
J.BOWLER
R.THOMAS
1968
S.van RAALTE R.HANSEN
L.ENGLISH
L.WIGG
L.WIGG
PREMIERS
1969
S.van RAALTE R.HANSEN
L.ENGLISH
L.WIGG
L.WIGG
1970
S.van RAALTE S.HENESSY G.LAWTIE
B.ROWAN
L.WIGG
RUNNERS UP
1971
M.HARVEY
P.MOORE
G.LAWTIE
R.THOMAS
B.GRANVILLE
VICTORIA PARK-CANNING
1972
M.HARVEY
P.MOORE
G.LAWTIE
L.WIGG
L.WIGG
1973
G.LAWTIE
P.MOORE
R.RAMPANT
N.STEWART
N.STEWART
1974
G.LAWTIE
P.MOORE
R.RAMPANT
S.PARKIN
B.GRANVILLE
1975
P.STILLING
P.MOORE
R.RAMPANT
G.TORRENS
1976
P.STILLING
P.CULLEN
R.RAMPANT
G.TORRENS
J.MAKIN
RUNNERS UP
1977
P.STILLING
P.MOORE
R.RAMPANT
G.TORRENS
E.BULLEN
1978
R.GIRARD
M.HARVEY
M.NOBLE
J.GUSH
N.NOBLE
PREMIERS
CANNING
1979
R.GIRARD
M.HARVEY
M.NOBLE
J.GUSH
D.SENIOR
RUNNERS UP
1980
P.STILLING
C.HOWARD G.LAWTIE
B.TODD
1981
P.STILLING
M.HARVEY
G.LAWTIE
T.DWYER
G.JONES
RUNNERS UP
1982
G.LAWTIE
M.MASON
N.NOBLE
T.DWYER
N.NOBLE
1983
S.van RAALTE N.NOBLE
G.LAWTIE
G.TORRENS
N.NOBLE
1984
S van RAALTE N.NOBLE
T.JONES
D.SENIOR
D.SENIOR
5TH FINALISTS
1985
L.MITCHELL
S.BULLEN
G.LAWTIE
E.BULLEN/T.DWYER B, WALKER
1986
S.VR/M.MASON A.COOPER
G.LAWTIE
T.DWYER
G.TRELORE
1987
M.MASON
A.COOPER
D.DWYER
T.DWYER
A.COOPER
1988
M.MASON
G.McWILLIAMSD.DWYER
R.DEVONSHIRE
M.PRICE
1989
N.NOBLE
M.MASON
M.MASON
R.DEVONSHIRE
M.SKINNER
1990
N.NOBLE
M.MASON
M.MASON
R.DEVONSHIRE
R.ANDERSON
PREMIERS
1991
G.BROWN
R.ROBINSON
R.DEVONSHIRE
C.RICKETS
PREMIERS
1992
P.STILLING
R.DEVONSHIRE
B.DOCHETY
1993
G.BROWN
R.ANDERSON/R.DEVONSHIRE
R.ANDERSON/J.GREEN
1994
N.NOBLE
G.CALKIN
M.NEWEY
D.ELLISON
PREMIERS
1995
L.WHITTON
L. WHITTON P.LAKOS
M.NEWEY
S.KEHONE
1996
L.WHITTON
L. WHITTON P.LAKOS
D.BROWN
A.GRAHAM
RUNNERS UP
1997
L.WHITTON - G.ALLEN
A.WALKER/D.SLY A.WALKER
1998
S.MILLS
G.ALLEN
G.ALLEN
D.RAWLINGS
A.WALKER
RUNNERS UP
1999
S.MILLS
G.ALLEN
G.ALLEN
D.RAWLINGS
A.WALKER
PREMIERS
EASTERN BULLDOGS
2000
S.MILLS
S. MILLS
S. MILLS
D.RAWLINGS
J.NIXON
4TH FINALISTS
2001
S.MILLS
S. MILLS
S. MILLS
D.RAWLINGS
J.NIXON
4TH FINALISTS
2002
C.PUDDY
C. PUDDY
C. PUDDY D.RAWLINGS/J.NIXON J.NIXON
3RD FINALISTS
2003
C.PUDDY
S.MILLS
C. PUDDY
S.ERU
S.ANGEL
RUNNERS UP
2004
J.FRY
J.RIDDELL
D.HEARD
J.CAMBELL
SECOND GRADE
2005
J.FRY
D.GREY
N.STEPHENS J.CAMBELL
D.CARNAGHAN
PREMIERS 2NDS
2006
S.MILLS
S. MILLS
N.STEPHENS
N/A
JUNIORS
CENTRAL DISTRICTS
2007
S.MILLS
J.FRY
G.RYAN
C.BENJAMIN
W.RAURORO
FIRST GRADE
2008
S.MILLS
S.MILLS
S.MILLS
C.BENJAMIN/B SHUTZ
FIRST GRADE
CENTRAL BULLDOGS
2009
S.MILLS
N HICKSON JO RODERICKS C.BENJAMIN/B SHUTZ
RUNNERS UP
2010
S.MILLS
G.RYAN
S.ALEXANDER A.TSAKALOS
KALAMUNDA CANNING BULLDOGS
2011
S.MILLS
W.WALKER S.ALEXANDER C.BENJAMIN