Williamstown Congs Cricket Club is reaching out to past and present members for its 125th anniversary.
The club started in 1893 when Reverend H. Jones, from the former Congregational Church in Stevedore Street, entered a team in the Williamstown Sunday School Trophy competition – now known as the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association.
The club’s red and white colours stem from the Reverend – the club’s first president – barracking for South Melbourne.
These days, the club is one of Hobsons Bay’s most inclusive and holds bragging rights to being the first in the municipality to have a junior girls-only team playing in a girls-only competition.
President Gary Griffin said Willy Congs’ “family club” ethos was re-enforced by expansion into girls’ and women’s cricket.
“I joined Willy Congs as a 16 year old in 1980 and instantly fell in love with the club,” he said.
“It had been around for around 90 years before I joined and I truly believe it’ll be around in another 90 years.
“Not many clubs live to reach 125 years – this achievement is nothing short of extraordinary.”
The club is seeking stories and memorabilia for its 125th anniversary celebration, particularly as much pre-1984 documentation was lost in a fire at the church.
The milstone celebration will be held at Altona Bowls Club on August 25, with speakers including sports writer Ken Piesse and former Willy Congs junior Dean Russ, who went on to play for Victoria.
Anyone with information or items relating to the club’s history can email willycongs@gmail.com or phone club manager David Leach 0409 790 338.
