A Proud Past
Our Club History
Explore the rich history of Ocean Reef Sea Sports Club, from its early beginnings to its growth into a proud coastal community built around sea sports and connection.
Our Journey
ORSSC History Timeline
PRE 1972
Roots Before ORSSC
Before 1972 the clubs roots extend further back than the formation of the club. The beach shacks at Hillarys and Whitfords were settled by families some of which went on to become personalities within the club. The shacks were built around 1933 and the land on which they stood was sold in 1968 with the shacks being demolished in 1972. A list of the family names of shack holders is in the first 10 years edition.
In 1972 the Whitfords area was opened for residential purposes and in 1972 concerned community members quickly became aware of the need for boating facilities, and there were fears that the beach between Sorrento Beach and Mullaloo Beach would become inaccessible to the public.
1972
A Community Responds
1973
First Milestones Achieved
In December 1973 the first club magazine was produced, and the clubs first fishing competition was held on 29th July 1973 at Pinnaroo Point (now Mullaloo Point). On the 9th of August 1973, the first general meeting of the club was held at the Springfield School Kallaroo, as well as the first club surf cat sailing event being held in December 1973 with 60-70 boats taking part.
Regular club events took part off the beach at Pinnaroo Point with power boating and fishing holding monthly events throughout the year, with sailing holding weekly events throughout the year. Diving’s first event was in February 1974
1974
Life on the Water
1975
Protecting the Coast
The efforts by the Whitfords Sea Sports Club along with others prevented development on the west side of West Coast Drive in the area known as the Nodes. The Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue Group was formed by the club in July 1975.
The construction of two short groynes at Ocean Reef for the Beenyup Sewage Treatment Plant outfall pipe signaled the start of pressure by the club to extend the wall for a marina, launching facility and clubhouse at Ocean Reef.
1976
The Marina Vision
1977
Plans Approved
On the 12th January 1977, the State Government advised that a boat launching facility would be built on Perth’s northern coastline. The Wanneroo Shire approved concept plans for the Whitfords Sea Sports Club clubhouse in July 1977.
In March 1978 the Ocean Reef Boat Launching Facility environment review programme was advertised. On the 25th November 1978 at 11.30 am the State Government signed the go-ahead for the Ocean Reef Boat Harbour.
1978
The Green Light
1979
Harbour Comes Alive
On the 22nd January 1979 construction of the Ocean Reef Boat Harbour was commenced, and on the 2nd December 1979, the Ocean Reef Boat Harbour was opened by the Premier of Western Australia Sir Charles Court with an address from the Wanneroo Shire President Charles Searson. The first club field day at Ocean Reef was before the official opening. On the 6th May 1979, 600 members took part with a total of 160 sailing, fishing and powerboats.
The previous clubrooms were commenced in January 1980 and finished in July 1980 with the official opening of the Clubhouse was 19th July 1980 coinciding with the Clubs 7th birthday. The first club employees were hired and Kevin and Vivian Gillespie took up residence on the club grounds as the club's Bosun and Caretaker.
1980
A Clubhouse Opens
1981-85
Laying Strong Foundations
Concept plans prepared by Ian Younghusband for the club’s mooring rail on the northern breakwater inside the Ocean Reef Boat Harbour were approved, with the State Government also undertaking maintenance work on the harbour walls. In 1982, the club employed its first office staff, followed by the appointment of club manager Patrick Cordier. During this period, additions were made to the club office, the service yard was roofed, and an acoustic ceiling was installed in the hall. The State Government dredged the harbour in May 1984, and a public telephone was installed at the boat harbour following lobbying by the club. Later that year, hard standing for boat storage was introduced with 11 fenced bays, and the club’s full liquor licence was approved in November 1984. In 1985, the first galley staff were employed, marking a shift away from volunteer run galley operations, and the clubrooms were upgraded from oil to gas heating.
Concept plans by Ian Younghusband for the club’s mooring rail on the northern breakwater were approved, alongside State Government maintenance works on the harbour walls. In 1982, the club employed its first office staff and appointed Patrick Cordier as club manager, followed by upgrades to the clubrooms including office extensions, a roofed service yard and an acoustic ceiling in the hall. The harbour was dredged in May 1984, and after lobbying by the club, a public telephone was installed at the boat harbour. Later that year, hard standing for boat storage was introduced with 11 fenced bays and the club received its full liquor licence. In 1985, the first galley staff were employed, marking the transition from volunteer run operations, and the clubrooms were upgraded from oil to gas heating.
1986-90
The Club Evolves
1991-92
Change and Progress
Darts were added to the Club’s social activities. The Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue Group purchased its first dedicated rescue boat. In September 1991 the main hall was declared a smoke free zone. The club mooring rail inside the northern breakwater was demolished in November 1992 due to harbour silting making it unusable.
The club celebrated its 20th birthday and produced a special edition of the club magazine to commemorate the occasion. Harold Martin our foundation Commodore passed away on 22nd August 1993. A no-smoking policy was introduced to the club and a restricted area for smoking was introduced. In the last year of Commodore Darryl Retallack’s term of office, the club became debt-free in regards to the building alterations.
1993
Twenty Years On
1994-95
Planning for Growth
A member survey was conducted to guide the club’s future growth and improvements, leading to discussions around expanding boat storage and negotiating additional land for hard standing. During this time, the Western Australian Government’s Marine and Harbours Department committed to dredging the Ocean Reef Boat Harbour. Plans for the new boat storage and hard standing area were approved by the City of Wanneroo on 27 March 1995 and formally ratified by council on 5 April 1995. Later that year, Carl McKenzie was appointed as Bar and Function Manager on 2 October.
Work on the boat storage and hard standing continued, alongside the club’s successful application for a $10,000 grant from the Ministry of Sport and Recreation. As part of this initiative, the Whitfords Sea Sports Club Scout Group was established on 22 May, with its first meeting held on 16 June. During this period, plans for additions to the clubhouse entry foyer were submitted to the City of Wanneroo and construction contracts were signed. Life membership was also awarded to John Ware in recognition of his contribution to the club.
1996-98
New Groups Formed
1999
Improving Accessibility
The existing hall windows were replaced with doors and the club was modified to cater for the disabled with the provision of disabled toilets and ramps for the disabled were added. The entry foyer was completed in January 1999.
The club’s original lease for the land on which the clubhouse stands expired on 31 December 2000, prompting an application to the City of Joondalup for a lease extension. During this time, the City of Joondalup constructed a coastal cycle path along the road bordering the front of the club grounds. A no smoking policy was also introduced within the clubhouse on 1 June 2001.
2000-01
Change and Transition
2002
Laying New Foundations
A revised club constitution was formally adopted at the Annual General Meeting in August 2002. Around this time, scheme water was finally connected to the clubhouse, replacing the original bore water system more than 22 years after the clubhouse was completed. On 28 February, the City of Joondalup and the State Government held a meeting at the club to discuss the future development of the Ocean Reef Boat Harbour.
With the development of the Ocean Reef Marina, we farewell the original clubhouse that held decades of memories and played such an important role in our history. As we honour the past, ORSSC now begins an exciting new chapter in a brand new, industry leading clubhouse, proudly positioned on the water and built for the future of our club and community.