MWDCC Centenary Dinner 1977-78
Manly Warringah District Cricket Club | August 18, 2024
In 1977/78, the Manly Warringah Waratahs celebrated our first 100 years as a club, culminating in a huge centenary dinner celebration. Below is an excerpt from that year's Annual Report describing the event, as well as the dinner menu from the evening.
"In its way the organisation of our Centenary Dinner was no less a dedicated venture than Tom and Lynne Spencer's written Club history - even though obviously not so prolonged an undertaking. It was the result of unstinting effort by committee members and its success was a tribute to their work.
We were honoured by the presence of Alderman Frank Preacher, Mayor of Manly, by Councillor Kevin Begaud, President of Warringah Shire, and their good wives, and by Mr Alan Davidson M.B.E., President of the N.S.W.C.A. and Mrs Davidson, To propose the toast to the Club, Mr Fred Daly, the retired Member of Parliament not only made his way from Surfer's Paradise but interrupted his holiday to do so - all gratuitously.
Mr Jim Dibble, the well-known A.B.C. television personality just as kindly consented to be master of ceremonies for the night and contributed much to the smooth running and the enjoyment of the evening. On behalf of the Club, Mr Peter Philpott, our former N.S.W. and Australian player responded to Mr Daly, and finally Mr Warren eee? former N.S.W. proposed the toast to cricket.
Apart from our own players and supporters, among the 302 people present were representatives from all other grade clubs, the Manly-Warringah Cricket Association, the Manly-Warringah Sporting Union and the Manly Rugby Union Club. Additionally we were proud to have among us many ex-Australian players, including Mr Ken Archer, Mr Neil Harvey and Mr Frank Misson, plus our own internationals.
Also present were our good supporters from the Parliament of New South Wales, Mr Doug Darby and Mr and Mrs Alan Viney, and their counterparts in the two Councils, Alderman Joan Thorburn and Councillor Paul Couvret. We were honoured by their attendance. Not the least contributors to what we feel was a most fitting and satisfactory centenary celebration of our one hundredth year were our hosts the Dee Why R.S.L. Club. Their generosity, efficiency and co-operation made our task as organisers so much easier.
It is only fitting that we should express our gratitude to all those who so generously supported the function and to those who expressed so much goodwill although they were unable to attend. The occasion was a momentous one for us, and it is a source of deep pride to the Club that it was recognised by so many respected figures in the public, business and cricket world."
