Pinjarra Football Club looking for memorabilia and stories ahead of 110th anniversary

With former players including Harley Bennell, Kamdyn McIntosh and even Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest, Pinjarra Football and Netball Club has a rich and successful history spanning 110 years, which it will celebrate this month.

The first meeting of the club dates to 1915 which took place at the Exchange Hotel. On November 22, the club will celebrate its 110-year anniversary.

Throughout the decades, the club has offered not only a place to play football but also a sense of belonging and lifelong friendships, according to president Bron May.

This month’s event will honour those traditions by bringing together past players, supporters, and special guests — including individuals whose involvement dates back as far as the 1930s.

A highlight for Mr May was the year the club took out all three grade premierships — colts, reserves and league —in 1986.

“Another one of our greatest achievements was building our own clubrooms,” Mr May said.

“This was through much fundraising, hard work and the commitment of the committee and players.”

Mr May said heartfelt stories will be shared at the celebration from across the generations, including tales of grit and glory, humour and heartbreak, achievements on the field, and the characters who nearly made it to the AFL but perhaps didn’t quite have the skills.

He also mentioned the club’s 2025 WA Sports Award for in the healthy club category for the work done in the mental health space.

“Our club is a big supporter of mental health, and we started a mental health round in 2017, which we play every year against Waroona, fundraising for local charities,” Mr May said.

“And also for our Tiger Cubs program, which we started in 2023. Thursday, we commence our fourth season of the program and have over 200 kids aged two to eight years old attending the six-week program.”

Another club highlight was when life member Bill ‘Cookie’ Cooke made his playing debut at the club aged 75.

The massive supporter of the club sold copper wires along with his mate Kevin ‘Shorty’ Hennessy and founded a supporters club to raise enough funds to literally build the club’s home from the ground up.

Its estimated Cookie had raised millions for the Tigers over the years.

The club also wants to hear from any community members with stories or memorabilia who are willing to share their pieces of history.

Past players, coaches and club presidents are also welcome to speak on the day.

Call Stephen Martin on 0400 872 921 or Paul Galloway on 0428 311 976 if you have information regarding the club’s history.

Tickets are $80 and must be purchased ahead of time by calling Krystal 0439 270 449. Doors open at 4.30pm at Pinjarra Football Club.