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A Brief History of Mackay Rugby League

An advertisement appeared in the Daily Mercury in 1918 wanting to know if anyone was interested in playing rugby league. The new game which was a breakaway from rugby union was taking the Southern parts of the state and NSW by storm. From his advertisement a meeting was called resulting with four teams being formed with the first competition game played in June 1919. The four teams were Railways, All Blacks, Rangers and Magpies. All games were played at the Mackay showgrounds which at that time was called Alexander Park. The only surviving team from 1919 is Magpies who join Mackay and District Rugby league celebrating their ninetieth year.

From a humble beginning and inexperience of players because of their union back ground the league took a while to get established. This showed up in the early intercity games with the rep side being well beaten by their northern rivals. It was not until 1934 Mackay won its first intercity title winning the Carlton shield. The Carlton Shield was the fore runner to the now famous Arch Foley shield that was first played for in 1948. The legendry Billy Paton came to Mackay in 1927 and took charge of all training in Mackay, Bills input soon had the game going forward and quickly established league as the premier sport in Mackay. In 1923 Mackay affiliated with Central Queensland rugby league but later cancelled this arrangement and threw in with North Queensland with which it is still affiliated today. 

Over the years new teams have joined the competition and others have joined and folded. At present we have an eight team competition with each club fielding A, Reserve and under 18 sides. With the inclusion of Dysart and Moranbah in the competition in 1988 the league changed its name from Mackay Rugby league to Mackay and District Rugby league. Dysart is no longer with Mackay and have gone back to Central Queensland league. The league now plays its competition on a home and away basis with all finals and representative games played at the Junior Rugby league grounds. With a government promise of 10.5 million to build a new stadium the Mackay Cutters joining the state wide Q Cup competition the future looks bright for our game.

There have been a number of quality players that have come out of this area to go on and represent Australia and State Of Origin. Pre origin there was Graham Laird, Elton Rasmussen, Ray Laird, Eric Webster, Eric Bowe, Hume Ronald and Booker Primrose. Since State of Origin, Dale Shearer, Martin Bella, Wendal Sailor, Brett Dallas, Kevin Campion all these players have represent Queensland or Australia.

Over the years there have been many dedicated officials to run and organise our game.  Notable contributions were made by Jack O’Brien, Jack Casey, Beau Taylor, Alex Dent, Col Grant, Aub Kruskie and Greg Sutherland. Indeed there were many more who worked hard to build our league to its present strength.

MACKAY AND DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE INC. EXECUTIVES

EXECUTIVESSENIOR "A GRADE"
PREMIERSHIP WINNERS A GRADE

PATON MEDAL WINNERS

MACKAY AND DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE

ABDULLAH, ALFRED
ANDERSON, KEVIN
APRILE, MICHAEL
BARNES, BILL
BICKMORE, JOHN
BLANCHEFEILD, BARRY
CASEY, JACK
CHIVERS, TOBY
CROFT, NOEL
DOONAN, STUART
DUGUID, WILLIAM
GAYLARD, REX
GOODING, VIC
GROOSKREUTZ, MAX
GROSSKREUTZ, COLIN
HANNAY, PAT
HAYES, TERRENCE
KRUSKY, AUBREY
LAYDEN, DENNIS
MACKENIE, MERVYN
MALONE, MARLENE
MALONE, MICK
McINTYRE, JOAN
MOONEY, CECIL
NEILSON, STEVE
PATTERSION, PAUL
PATTERSON, DR REX
PRIMROSE, BOOKER R
PROBERTS, MICHAEL
ROLFE, NOEL
ROSSD, GERY
SHEW, MICK
SUTHERLAND, GREG
TALBOT, JOHN
TIDEMAN, BARRY
VALLERY, JIM
WEIR, KEN
WHELAN, JOHN
WHIPPS, GARY