The YMCA club, which was strong in the 1920’s, folded in 1927. Ebenezer, a church based club, was the dominant club in the twenties and was a large and successful club. It lasted from 1922 ‘till 1934, and despite its healthy membership, collapsed suddenly, apparently as a result of an altercation with the church regarding ownership of their clubrooms. ACE lasted from 1937 to 1941 and apparently had a large membership of students who used the club to prepare for school sports. It was another victim of the war. St. Johns, another church club, lasted from 1925 to 1930. The PYMF, a Presbyterian club, was formed before the war and as we have seen, was another war casualty. That leaves the CYMS (Christian Young Men’s Society) club which is of perhaps a bit of interest to the modern runner. CYMS was formed in 1931. It was the captain of the Ballarat Harriers, Arthur Morgan, who was asked if he would assist in the formation of the CYMS, which he duly did, leaving Harriers and becoming one of the foundation CYMS members.

A booklet published by the YCW club on their history informs us of the following:

“The men mainly responsible for forming the club (ie. YCW) were Jack Davis, Arthur Morgan, Tom Conroy and Jim McMahon. All these men were former CYMS Harriers, a club that had its beginnings in 1931 and was still going strong up until the war forced it to disband in 1941. After the war, it was these men who brought the runners together again. Although they were keen to run as CYMS, the Bishop, the Most Rev. J. P. O’Collins insisted that the name be YCW (Young Christian Workers).”