Residents Request Building Name Change

Pictured above: The new TCC signage has upset long time island residents.

Debbie Denison

Townsville City Council  has come under fire with the naming of the Community Centre in Horseshoe Bay.

Long time Island resident Aline Melvin addressed the February MIRRA meeting  held on Saturday  7th, asking why the building which was built by the Magnetic Island residents in 1970’s for the  Clubhouse of the Magnetic Island Sports and Recreation Club  has been named by council the Horseshoe Bay Community Centre?  Mrs Melvin stated it should be called the  ‘Magnetic  Island Community Centre’ or the ‘Butterworth Community Centre’  in recognition of the efforts of those people involved. Mrs Melvin told the MCN “ The residents of the island built the building, we raised  all the money ourselves and we did not receive any grants or funding from any level of Govt.”

Another long time resident Michael Schmidt said “The council have shown a lack of respect for all those residents, including ones who are no longer with us and residents who still live here.”

Mark Wedge said “It was a huge community effort everyone was involved, Hayles brought over all the building supplies, engineering firms helped not just with the building but with the sports grounds. I agree with Aline’s suggestion the building should be named the Butterworth Community Centre”.

Others asked why there was no community consultation?

Horseshoe Bay resident  Julie Carmody said she believed all the paperwork showed the name was the Horseshoe Bay Sports and Recreation Club, this was refuted by several people in attendance.

A copy of the Magnetic Island Sports and Recreation Club constitution

Research at the Magnetic Museum shows the constitution of the club clearly states the name is  ‘The Magnetic Sports and Recreation Club’.

The MCN emailed Cr. Ann Maree Greaney requesting the issue be rectified. At the time of publishing we had not received a response.

Below is some of the colourful history of the Magnetic Island Sports and Recreation Club.

The following is the Lands Dept history of the land, according to Magnetic Museum research.

On November 22, 1912, an agricultural farm lease on block portion 13V was granted

to Richard Frank Talbot Bolger. On April 6, 1920, 13V was transferred to Cyril John

Linford. On August 19, 1921 it was transferred to Harry Atkins and William Arnold

Wright as tenants in common. On March 25, 1925, the lease was transferred to Harry

Atkins, who was granted the freehold to the block on October 30, 1930. On June 6,

1946, ownership was transferred to William Creelman Swenson, son of Polly

Swenson, of Swenson’s guesthouse. On March 20, 1956, the land was transferred to

Townsville City Council.  A 20 year lease  045118 was lodged  at the

stamp duties office 29th Day November 1976.  The lease was  granted and signed by TCC Mayor Percy John Robert Tucker on the 27th Day of January 1977 along with original trustees.

Club records reveal that the original trustees were: Gerry Kearns, Ron Taylor, Charles

Tutton, Benjamin Hayles, Ronald Richardson and John Phillips (sen.) all now

deceased.

A cricketer’s club was formed in January, 1973, “The Magnetic Island Society

Cricket Club”, with the club’s name and objectives changed at the AGM in 1974 to

“the Magnetic Island Sports and Recreation Club”.

A deputation to council led to council approval to spend $1000 to prepare the oval and pour a cricket wicket but “a Townsville construction firm, North-West Construction, prepared the oval at no cost…and the council paid….for the wicket.

A group of guarantors took on the first loan to build the clubhouse in 1973.

The club ran many fundraising events including drive in movies, bingo nights , cabaret shows, as well many sporting functions.

Pictured above: Photos of clubhouse near completion.

The clubhouse of the Magnetic Island Sports and Recreation Club was officially opened 28th November  1981 by Mayor Alderman Mike Reynolds.

Life members are: Louie Bellon, Laurie Butcher, Dawn Butcher, Warren Butterworth, Margaret Butterworth, Ray Wassell, Aline Melvin, Bob Melvin, Michael Schmidt, Janelle Schmidt, Barry Jones, Dirk Schmidt, Paula McIntyre, Ivy Butterworth, Donny Pittman, Molly Kilroy and Margaret (Peg) Kearns.

Past presidents of the club are: Warren Butterworth 1973-80; Laurie Butcher 1980-83; Horrie Limon/Leslie MacKay 1983-84; Horrie Limon 1984-1986; Endre Kranauer 1986-1989; Warren Butterworth 1989-90; Rosemary Eve 1990-95; Dave Dini 1995-96; Leon Beer 1996-97; Bob Zander 1997-1998; Kevin Bycroft 1998-2000; Sue Birch 2000-02; Tony Kyle 2002-03; Steve Farrant 2003-04.

The Magnetic Island Sports and Recreation Club ceased to function in September 2005.

The Solar City Project opened on the site in 2008 ( 5 Year Lease). The Magnetic Island Mens Shed signed a lease in 2015. In 2024 The MI Mens Shed relocated to Picnic Bay.

Currently the building and the grounds are being used by The Magnetic Magpies Football Team, The Magnetic Island Muso’s Club and The Magnetic Island Women’s  Shed.

Pictured above: Magnetic Island Sports and Recreation Club members Circa early 1980's?

We would appreciate readers imput with naming of people seen in the photograph.