In the 2022 - 2023 financial year our Community contribution was:

$1,177,925.23

1 Glenella Road, Glenella, Mackay QLD 4740 | (07) 49 656 100

WEDNESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 1976

As reported by the Daily Mercury – work started on the construction of the Magpie Football Club field (where Sologinkin Oval is now) at the old go-cart track at Glenella.  The club’s ground committee, responsible for the construction,  removed the disused track.  Committee spokesman Reg LeGarde said the top soil had been removed for filling purposes.  

Earthworks scraper removing the old Glenella Go-Cart track (where Sologinkin Oval is now) pictured with W Gibson, S Sologinkin, Reg LeGarde, M Williams (Scraper Operator) and L Bradford.  The president at the time was John Hannay.

WEDNESDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER 1976

As reported by the Daily Mercury – work started on the construction of the Magpie Football Club field (where Sologinkin Oval is now) at the old go-cart track at Glenella.  The club’s ground committee, responsible for the construction,  removed the disused track.  Committee spokesman Reg LeGarde said the top soil had been removed for filling purposes.  

Earthworks scraper removing the old Glenella Go-Cart track (where Sologinkin Oval is now) pictured with W Gibson, S Sologinkin, Reg LeGarde, M Williams (Scraper Operator) and L Bradford.  The president at the time was John Hannay.

MAGPIE SPORTING COMPLEX

November 1979 saw the formation of the original committee of Magpie Sporting Complex with 11 members on board: Senior Vice President Ray Toomey, Secretary Gar Houston, President Stan White, Junior Vice President Bill Gibson, Treasurer Syd Duncan and other directors: Greg Pembroke, Graham Kong, Mick Miller, Chris Jorgenson, Charlie Ogilvie and John Wallman. The original Board of Directors who helped to create Magpie Sporting Complex were: President: Stan White, Senior Vice President Ray Toomey, Junior Vice President Eric Gibson, Secretary F G Houston, Treasurer Syd Duncan, Patron Greg Pembroke.  Committee Members included: Graham Kong, Mick Miller, W C Ogilvie, J W Wallman, C E Jenson and Chris Jorgenson.  The Magpie Sporting Complex was incorporated as a Limited Liability Company in November 1980, this was facilitated by the work and advice of Greg Whitmore as accountant and Tony Wallace as solicitor.  Greg and Tony plus Geoff Nolan who provided considerable engineering advice were elected as life members. 

ACQUIRING THE LAND

The current location of Magpies Sporting Club was originally farm land.  The club experienced some difficulties with the lease agreement because of the restrictions involving licensing on sporting grounds.  A group got together to form a complex incorporating all Magpie Sporting Clubs for the purpose of raising funds and acquiring free hold land. The committee consisted of President Les Greenhill, Secretary Gar Houston, Vice Presidents Ray Toomey and Stan White, Treasurer Syd Duncan, Charlie Jensen, Charlie Ogilvie, Herb LeGarde, Col Kingsbury, Stan Sologinkin, Ernie Mooney and Bill Gibson.

Magpies had been fortunate some time earlier, when Les Greenhill, a former Wynnum Manly footballer had joined the club and agreed to accept a position on the building committee.  Les had been transferred to Mackay as the principal of the TAFE College and was an ideal choice for president when the new committee formed.  Les made a room at TAFE available to the committee for their meetings and because of his own experience with the Wynnum Manly Club he was able to offer sound and practicable advice.  In time the Wynnum Manly constitution formed the basis of the Magpies constitution.

In addition to raising money, the committee also handled a multitude of negotiations with the Government and the Pioneer Shire Council with regard to obtaining freehold and leasing rights to the land that would be needed.  The Government advised the committee that a consortium of several sporting clubs with similar interests would be necessary before approval for land ownership would be given. 

The complex gradually absorbed other clubs, Walkerston Magpies Aussie Rules, Farleigh Magpies Cricket Club, Hockey and Touch Football.  Some of these clubs were looking for grounds to train and play on, plus a place to hold meetings and enjoy social drinks.  The Glenella Hotel was the local drinking hotel.  An application was made to lease the grounds, after lengthy negotiations a special tenure lease was granted from the Queensland Governments Minister for Lands Mr Bill Glasson on 19th June 1981.  This gave approximately nine hectares to build the licensed premises.  The land was a freehold title, a considerable portion was reserved for recreation and agistment and right in the centre of the block owned freehold by the Chenoweth family.  The Chenoweths deeded this block to the Pioneer Shire Council who in turn made it over to Magpies to be incorporated into the proposed lease.  Magpies Football Club already held the lease to the land where Sologinkin Oval sits, Magpies Football Club surrendered its lease of this ground so the whole area on both sides of Glenella Road could be incorporated into the one lease, now granted to Magpie Sporting Complex.

 

TUESDAY 24TH NOVEMBER 1981

As reported by the Daily Mercury – earthworks started on the new $230,000 Magpie Sporting Complex at Glenella. Eight playing fields were to be included in the project as a long-term venture.  The fields were expected to be ready by 1982.  Pictured at the bulldozer controls is Charlie Ogilvie, a former North Queensland rugby league representative and one of Australia’s best heavyweight boxers.  Considerable work was necessary on the land stretching down to Janes Creek, to make it suitable for playing fields. Charlie Ogilvie and Eric Gibson donated use of their land moving equipment and machines for the levelling of the land on the condition that Magpie Sporting Complex pay the drivers.  Many Arduous hours were also spent by rugby league supporters on weekends preparing the land.

FUNDRAISING FOR THE CLUBHOUSE

The committee utilised several methods to help finance construction of the new clubhouse including a ‘first release funding program’ selling life memberships for $100 each, advertising agreements with businesses and a loan program for supporters to lend to the club.  The selling of Foundation Life memberships was adopted as a major fund raising avenue but for a long time they were difficult to sell as no evident progress could be seen. Initially 500 life memberships were on offer, about 600 were sold by the committee, the AFL, rugby league, hockey and senior soccer clubs.  About 450 of the life memberships were sold by Chris Jorgenson from the rugby league club.  The club also had 500 financial ordinary members.  It was planned to increase that number to 1500 as the more members meant more money to provide facilities for them.  The committee received a needed financial boost when the football club which had gradually become more financial, offered the committee the running of the lucky dip stall at Canelands Shopping centre.  This provided a valuable source of income. 

THE DAILY MERCURY – TUESDAY 29TH NOVEMBER 1983

SOLOGINKIN OVAL AMENITIES BUILDING

One of the early accomplishments was the construction of the amenities building on Sologinkin Oval thanks to  outstanding team work, hard work by all of the committee members and the generosity of the clubs supporters.  Rugby league and soccer members assisted with the brickwork, Gordon Sinnott installed the drainage and Ray Toomey donated the material for the roof which was fixed by Col Kingsbury.  Michael Moohin donated the material for internal fittings.  This amenities building stood the test of time, even surviving the 2008 floods before being replaced with the new building completed in 2019. 

WEDNESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 1984 

Original members of the Magpie sporting complex committee, from left Bill Gibson, Gar Houston, Sid Duncan and Ray Toomey, stand around a digger at the offical start of the $260,000 stage one of the Magpies Sporting Complex at Glenella.  It was expected the single level complex would be completed by July 1984.  Committee spokesman, Mr Ray Toomey, said the overall complex and grounds plan envisaged facilities for rugby league, soccer, hockey, cricket, Australian football, touch football, weight lifting and lawn bowls.

WEDNESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 1984

Original members of the Magpie sporting complex committee, from left Bill Gibson, Gar Houston, Sid Duncan and Ray Toomey, stand around a digger at the offical start of the $260,000 stage one of the Magpies Sporting Complex at Glenella.  It was expected the single level complex would be completed by July 1984.  Committee spokesman, Mr Ray Toomey, said the overall complex and grounds plan envisaged facilities for rugby league, soccer, hockey, cricket, Australian football, touch football, weight lifting and lawn bowls.

FURTHER FUNDING

All of the original guarantors apart from Ray Toomey (soccer club) were from Magpies Senior Rugby League Club.  These guarantors also gave personal loans totalling $40,000.  To keep the liquor license 12 months after opening, alterations costing $15,000 had to be done. 10 members from Magpies Senior Rugby League Club took out loans of $1,500 each so it could eventuate.  Once a month the rugby league club gave the proceeds of their bingo sessions to the complex, which over 3 years was in excess of $30,000.  This money was used to pay groundsman wages for 4 years prior to the opening. There was money left which they used to install field lighting so that the Magpies rugby league, soccer, AFL and hockey clubs were able to train at night.  When new carpet was required Magpies Junior Rugby League Club loaned the complex $9,000. All of the affiliated Magpies clubs combined to provide labour and ran two rodeo’s that raised another $15,000 for the complex.  Magpie Sporting Complex repaid all the individuals that loaned money to the complex. 

 

MAGPIES SPORTING COMPLEX

Magpies Sporting Complex commenced trade from a modest, single level, licensed club house. The original club house was known as ‘Montys’ and is now the current sportsbar trading area.

OFFICIAL OPENING 1984

Magpie Sporting Complex new club house was bought to fruition after 7 years of hard work – officially opened at 2pm on Sunday 27th October 1984 with the opening performed by Geoff Muntz, member for Whitsunday and Welfare Services, Ethnic and Youth Affairs minister.  Guests included Federal member for Dawson Mr Ray Braithwaite, Member for Mackay Mr Edmund Casey, Mackay Mayor Sir Albert Abbott and Pioneer shire Council Chairman Cr Gordon White.  The Magpies Sporting Complex limited Board of Directors and those involved with developing the complex and clubhouse and its guarantors also attended the official part of the afternoon.

OFFICIAL OPENING 1984

Magpie Sporting Complex new club house was bought to fruition after 7 years of hard work – officially opened at 2pm on Sunday 27th October 1984 with the opening performed by Geoff Muntz, member for Whitsunday and Welfare Services, Ethnic and Youth Affairs minister.  Guests included Federal member for Dawson Mr Ray Braithwaite, Member for Mackay Mr Edmund Casey, Mackay Mayor Sir Albert Abbott and Pioneer shire Council Chairman Cr Gordon White.  The Magpies Sporting Complex limited Board of Directors and those involved with developing the complex and clubhouse and its guarantors also attended the official part of the afternoon.

CLUBHOUSE OPENS

During preparations for the opening of the new clubhouse, committee members from left: Chris Jorgenson, Greg Pembroke, Senior Vice President Ray Toomey, life members Stan Sologinkin, Sid Sologinkin, president Stan White and director Charlie Ogilvie.

UP TO DATE BAR AREA

As reported by The Daily Mercury on Friday 26th October 1984 – Members and guests enjoy a drink in the modern bar of the new Magpies clubhouse which will be officially opened tomorrow by Geoff Muntz.

MIGHTY MAGPIES MEET

As reported by The Pioneer News on Thursday 25th October 1984 – This fine bunch of fellows, members of the executive committee of the Magpie Sporting Complex, wait their turn for a drink at the complex to officially open Sunday.

Built at a cost of $270,000 the spacious single storey complex overlooked several new playing fields developed by Magpies.  The Manageress at the time was Jenny Johnston, first Chief was Hank Heye.  Further plans for the complex included the provision of an outside area for members to watch sports being played and a reception room that could be hired for functions.  Construction of the building started earlier in 1984 and the club had been operating since mid August.  The bar of the new club was named after Magpies stalwart and Board of Directors member, secretary Gar Houston.  The lounge area was named after Ray Toomey.

SECOND LEVEL BUILT

In 1996 the club undertook a major facilities upgrade incorporating a seperate gaming room and lounge bar and extended to a second level structure with the provision to develop it as function room. In 1998 upper level was fitted out: the shell of the building having been constructed as a part of the 1996 developments, to provide a function venue with a seating capacity of 350 for banquet style dining.

SECOND LEVEL BUILT

In 1996 the club undertook a major facilities upgrade incorporating a seperate gaming room and lounge bar and extended to a second level structure with the provision to develop it as function room. In 1998 upper level was fitted out: the shell of the building having been constructed as a part of the 1996 developments, to provide a function venue with a seating capacity of 350 for banquet style dining.

FINANCIALLY TROUBLING TIMES

It is now well documented that clubs in Queensland faced a decline in operating performances from 1998 – 2001 as the hotel network increased its share of the gaming machine market.  The club experienced financial difficulties during the trading period year ended June 1999 and was unable to meet its debt commitments in that year. These trading difficulties continued to the 1999 – 2000 year period and in November 1999 the club placed itself into voluntary administration. In July 2000 the club entered into a Deed of Company Arrangement and on 30th June 2001 the Deed was extinguished.  In December 2001 the club sold its freehold assets of land, equipment and the building, to a consortium of 3 interest holders.  The proceeds of the sale were used to partly meet the commitment to the clubs financiers, Westpac.

PREVIOUS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2018

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Jason Egan
Graham Perry
Jamie Woods
Stephen Payne

2017

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Jason Egan
Graham Perry
Jamie Woods

2016

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Jason Egan
Graham Perry
Jamie Woods

2015

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Jason Egan
Graham Perry

2014

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Jason Egan
Graham Perry
Nicole Cowan

2013

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Jason Egan
Graham Perry
Nicole Cowan

2012

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Jason Egan
Graham Perry
Nicole Cowan

2011

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Paul Devin
Clinton Williams
Jason Egan
Graham Perry
Nicole Cowan

2010

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Ray Golding (Secretary)
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Paul Devin
Clinton Williams
Jason Egan

2009

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Ray Golding
Paul Burton
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Rodney Kunst
Paul Devin
Clinton Williams
Jason Egan

2008

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Ray Golding
Paul Burton
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Rodney Kunst
Paul Devin

2007

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Ray Golding
Paul Burton
Mark O’Shea
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge
Rodney Kunst
Paul Devin

2006

Paul O’Brien/Mark O’Shea (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Phillip Dixon
Kevin Waterhouse
Ray Golding
Paul Burton
Glenn Shepherd
Mark O’Shea
Michael Langton
Carol Hodge

2005

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Phillip Dixon
Kevin Waterhouse
Ray Golding
Paul Burton
Glenn Shepherd
Mark O’Shea
Michael Langton

2004

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon
Anthony James
Kevin Waterhouse
Ray Golding
Paul Burton
Glenn Shepherd
Mark O’Shea

2003

Paul O’Brien (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon
Anthony James
Kevin Waterhouse
Ray Golding
Paul Burton

2002

Philip Dixon (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Brian Collings
John Woods
Paul O’Brien
Anthony James
Kevin Waterhouse
Ray Golding
Paul Burton

2001

Phillip Dixon (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Brian Collings
John Sutton
Douglas Fraser
John Woods
Paul O’Brien
Guy Sizmur
Alan Shinkfield
Anthony James
Kevin Waterhouse
Paul Burton

2000

Phillip Dixon (Chairman)
Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Robert Bruce
Brian Collings
John Sutton
Douglas Fraser
John Woods
Adam Coupe
Paul O’Brien
Lloyd Poole
Ronald Goss
Leslie Suratman
Guy Sizmur
Alan Shinkfield
Anthony James
Kevin Waterhouse

1998

Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Kevin Willis
Robert Bruce
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon
Christine Houwing
Jarrod Contor
Martin Kniedl
David Harris
John Sutton
Keith Carroll
Douglas Fraser
John Woods
Steve Jackson
Adam Coupe

1999

Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Robert Bruce
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon
Christine Houwing
Martin Kniedl
David Harris
John Sutton
Keith Carroll
Douglas Fraser
John Woods
Steve Jackson
Adam Coupe
Paul O’Brien
Lloyd Poole
Ronald Goss
Leslie Suratman
Guy Sizmur

1997

Christopher Bekkeli (Secretary)
Gordon Lockie
Kevin Willis
Robert Bruce
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon
Christine Houwing
Jarrod Contor
Martin Kniedl
David Harris
Trevor Dowden
John Sutton
Keith Carroll
Douglas Fraser

1996

Andre Teuwsen (Secretary)
Gordon Lockie
Kevin Willis
Robert Bruce
Lorraine Porter
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon
Ian Dolan
Christine Houwing
Stuart Smith
Jarrod Contor
Martin Kniedl
David Harris
Trevor Dowden
John Sutton

1995

Gordon Lockie (Secretary)
Kevin Willis
Robert Bruce
Peter Petersen
Lorraine Porter
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon
Christopher Nichols
Stephen Graham
Renae Schoneveld
Ian Dolan
Christine Houwing
Stuart Smith
Jarrod Contor
Martin Kniedl
David Harris

1994

Gordon Lockie (Secretary)
Kevin Willis
Robert Bruce
Jeffrey Eales
William Sologinkin
Barry Fairbain
Keiran Lowth
David Freeman
Janise Brodel
Raymond Benn
Peter Petersen
Lorraine Porter
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon
Christopher Nichols
Stephen Graham
Renae Schoneveld
Ian Dolan
Christine Houwing

1993

Gordon Lockie (Secretary)
Kevin WIllis
Robert Bruce
William Odgaard
Jeffrey Eales
William Sologinkin
Barry Fairbain
Keiran Lowth
David Freeman
Janise Brodel
Raymond Benn
Peter Petersen
Lorraine Porter
Brian Collings
Phillip Dixon

1992

Gordon Lockie (Secretary)
Robert Bonney
Ian Quinn
Barry Ingham
Victor Tolhurst
Peter Miles
Gordon Kinninmonth
John Kinninmonth
Garth Purvis
Kevin WIllis
Robert Bruce
William Odgaard
Jeffrey Eales
William Sologinkin
Barry Fairbain

1991

Kevin Baker (Secretary)
Robert Bonney
David Leitch
Christopher Connors
Maxwell Churchill
Ian Chapman
Ian Quinn
Barry Ingham
Victor Tolhurst
Peter Linaker
Peter Miles
Gordon Kinninmonth
John Kinninmonth
Garth Purvis
Kevin Willis
Stanley White

1990

Kevin Baker (Secretary)
Robert Bonney
David Leitch
Christopher Connors
Maxwell Churchill
Ian Chapman
Ian Quinn
Barry Ingham
Victor Tolhurst
Peter Linaker

1989

Kevin Baker (Secretary)
Robert Bonney
David Leitch
Christopher Connors
Maxwell Churchill
Ian Chapman
Ian Quinn
Barry Ingham
Victor Tolhurst
Peter Linaker

1988

Kevin Baker (Secretary)
Anthony Duggan
Robert Bonney
David Leitch
Christopher Connors
Maxwell Churchill
Ian Chapman
Ian Quinn
Barry Ingham
Victor Tolhurst
Peter Linaker

1987

Kevin Baker (Secretary)
Christian Jorgensen
Rodney Wilkins
James Kiely
Lillian Hawthorn
Anthony Duggan
Robert Bonney
Eric Gibson
Albert Edginton
Russell Thomson
David Leitch
Christopher Connors
Maxwell Churchill
Ian Chapman
Ian Quinn
Barry Ingham
Victor Tolhurst

1986

Sharyn Hawthorn (Secretary)
Charles Ogilvie
Stanley Sologinkin
Albert Jenner
Graham Caruana
Gary Clark
Frank Houston
John Wallman
Louis Pace
Kevin Willis
Dennis Budby
Christian Jorgensen
Rodney Wilkins
James Kiely
Lillian Hawthorn
Anthony Duggan
Robert Bonney

1985

Michael Miller (Secretary)
Charles Ogilvie
Stanley Sologinkin
Albert Jenner
Graham Caruana
Gary Clark
Frank Houston
John Wallman
Louis Pace
Kevin Willis

1984

Charles Ogilvie
Stanley Sologinkin
Albert Jenner
S. A. White
Raymond Toomey
E. J. (Bill) Gibson
Frank Houston
Sydney Duncan
Graham Kong
Michael Miller
J. W. Ogilvie
John Wallman
C. E. Jenson
C. Jorgenson

#MagpiesThrowback

👀 It's Kerry!  Check out the bottom right corner, our Senior Duty Manager Kerry can be spotted hanging out some years ago, in our very retro gaming room.  And how about that Magpie in the background 🤣
#MagpiesStaff #MagpiesThrowback #ThrowbackThursday
As reported by The Pioneer News on Thursday 25th October 1984 – This fine bunch of fellows, members of the executive committee of the Magpie Sporting Complex, wait their turn for a drink at the complex to officially open Sunday. #ThrowbackThursday #MagpiesThrowback

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Magpies Sporting Club respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land, the Yuwi and Widi people, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present, and to the young emerging leaders.