Y.M.C.A.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 June 1940, Page 4

Y.M.C.A.

SOME EARLY HISTORY. ESTABLISHMENT OF GYMNASIUM.

The proposal made about 1909 to erect a gymnasium for the Masterton Y.M.C.A. came at an unfortunate time because an energetic body of footballers and athletes had for some years maintained a gymnasium for physical culture, boxing, wrestling and training purposes in a Trust building in Dixon Street, Tom Coffey being the original instructor. This gymnasium practice enabled the Masterton senior team to hold an unbeaten record for two years in succession, and win the Wairarapa championship. The Y.M.C.A. gymnasium took away the younger boys and girls Avho had helped the older gymnasium to pay its way so for a time the Y.M.C.A. was not popular with one section of the community. However, progress continued to be made. Mr S. Creswell was the second secretary and ne was followed by Mr Parsonson, who was holding office when the Great War broke out. From 1910 to 1912 Masterton enjoyed an athletic boom. In those days J. Bradbury, R. McKenzie, Harvey, Tooby, Arthur Williams, Jock Berry and Roy Messenger were prominent local athletes and supporters of gymnastic training. Many gymnastic displays were given in the Opera House and local residents of those days will remember among the performers the late Oscar Gallie, Avho, as an artillery officer, Avas later recommended for the V.C. One also remembers two small boys named Ewington and Wickens who Avere particularly efficient in their work. With the outbreak of Avar in 1914 the Y.M.C.A. changed, but even though the young men were away there was still the necessity to carry on the work amongst the boys.