The Athletics Club (began April 1951) under the guidance of a committee of workers which included Mr Stan Hemmings and Mr Alex McCullough,sponsored a Junior Athletics Club which became the Gra-Y Club (in August 1951) for young boys and Hy-Y for older lads. Mr A. E. Clark (YMCA) had the idea of adopting the American Gra-Y system which was to instil in boys good principals and values similar to those of the service clubs ie. YMCA, the Masons and Buffalo Lodge. Story has it that the town was virtually crime free for many years. The Athletics Club became a very powerful force in Mt Beauty and assisted other fledging groups to get started. The committee had the bright idea that they could raise money and entertain the men who lived in the out-lying camps by running sporting exhibitions by their members and the Gra-y boys for entertainment.Mt Beauty was a SECV construction town at the end of the Kiewa valley. Its remoteness encouraged the community to create clubs for recreation for all age groups so that those involved would be purposefully engaged. The Gra-Y club achieved this for 4.5 year olds to 12 year olds and included a junior group and a senior group.Manila folder, foolscap size, with seven pages held by four staples at the spine. The pages are lined horizontally and vertically with boys names listed vertically on the left and dates, across the top, recording the boys attendance. See also KVHS 0773, KVHS 1291Pages recorded in either pencil or inkgra-y club, mt beauty gra-y club, alex mccullough, athletics, boxing, wrestling

Alex McCullough was the Secretary of the Gra-Y Club. He kept some correspondence, lists and details of events. The Gra-Y Club was very successful in Mt Beauty. Refer to KVHS 1289, KVHS 0773Manila folder (foolscap size) with various papers re - The 'Kiewa Athletic Club' 1955 to Gra-Y Club 1978gra-y club mt beauty, alex mccullough, athletics

Community clubs in Mt Beauty have always been important due to the remoteness of Mt Beauty situated at the end of the Kiewa Valley and at the bottom of the surrounding mountains.Community clubs in Mt Beauty were and still are important for the well being of members of the community of all ages. Mt Beauty began as a construction town, built by the SECV for their workers on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme. Situated at the end of the Kiewa Valley and at the bottom of the surrounding mountains it has become a tourist town with a strong community spirit and many clubs.1. Mount Beauty Schools' Band End of Year Concert 2002 - 2 A4 pages folded in half with black & white photos on outside cover 2.Souvenir of Mt Beauty Senior Citizens Club - 6 pages printed on 1 side only. Enclosed: Agenda for the official opening - Dec. 1972 3. Procedure for the 'Hi-Y' Induction Ceremony (no date) - 3 foolscap pages printed in blue ink on 1 side only.mt beauty school band, mt beauty senior citizens club, mt beauty gra-y and hi-y clubs, music, athletics

Athletics was an important activity for boys to be involved in. The Y.M.C.A. encouraged and supported communities to become members and gave them encouragement and support by providing programmes and activities.The Mt Beauty community established in the 1950s an athletics club which belonged to the YMCA before becoming involved with the Gra-Y and Hy-Y organisation.Brown cardboard cover with usty fastener. Cover has label cente font "Hints and Suggestions for Boys' Club Programmes. Issued by National Committee YMCAs of Australia. The first 14 pages "Club Programmes" and last 6 Pages "Physical Games for the Gymnasium."athletics, y.m.c.a., boys club programmes, mt beauty athletics club