“A general meeting was convened for Monday 19th of April 1915 in the Carlton Club Hotel for the purpose of considering the question of amalgamating Nth Brisbane and Toowong Football Clubs, the object being to make a stronger combination in the interests of the Queensland Rugby League.
Mr R C Draney Asst Hon Sec QRL was appointed to the chair others present being Messrs D Hickey W Doherty A Williams T Healy G Bohane D Harvey W Graham A E Calligan B Ambrose O Hardy Andrew C Westbrook H Sunderland F Cumberland.
Mr Draney explained the object of the meeting and after much discussion it was decided to amalgamate the clubs to be known as Western Suburbs Football Club.”
These were the opening notes in the official meeting minutes as penned by honorary secretary, Fred Cumberland.
And so it was, on 19 April 1915 – six days before the legendary landing of military troops on the shores of the Gallipoli peninsula – at the Carlton Club Hotel, that Wests was formed through the amalgamation of the North Brisbane and Toowong football clubs.
Mr Alby Williams was elected the club’s first president, and he would later become the club’s first life member.
A remarkable feature of that first year was the active part of Fred Cumberland, who undertook the triple role of Secretary, Treasurer and club captain. His commitment to the game saw him recognized with BRL life membership in 1928. Cumberland passed away in 1968.
THE FIRST GAME: The club’s first official match took place in torrential rain at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds on the 2nd of May 1915.
Drawn to play against the seasoned Bulimba club, the first footballing success of Wests – or simply Suburbs as they became affectionately known - came in the form of a magnificent 13-0 victory. Utility forward Tom Healy is credited with officially scoring the club’s first try.
Another forward, Ernie Hampson also scored a try, while winger Dobbyn Hickey scored a try and kicked two goals.
To read the rest of the history – including sections The Formative Years, Club Colours and Notable Players – download the PDF below:
WESTS – a 100-year retrospective of Brisbane’s famous club
