50 seasons of 1st Grade at
Kogarah

The 50th season of First Grade rugby league at Oki Jubilee Stadium will kick-off this Sunday when the St.George Bank Dragons clash with the North Queensland Cowboys.

While the Dragons played their first premiership match at Kogarah in 1950 against South Sydney, the absences of First Grade at the ground between 1986-88 and 2000-02 means that season 2005 is a milestone for the Dragons? spiritual home.

Now renamed Oki Jubilee Stadium, the ground has had an interesting and at times dramatic history. In celebration of the 50th anniversary, R2K (Return To Kogarah) and Jubilee Avenue will publish 50 highlights from the Dragons illustrious 50-year tenure at Kogarah later this season. The publication will select the most significant match from each season the Dragons have been based at the ground.

In the meantime, below are some of the key moments in the broader history of Kogarah?s Jubilee Oval:

?1853 ? Jubilee Oval land included in the 87 acre grant given to Archibald McNab.

?1854 ? Edmund English purchases the grant for 400 pounds.

?1896 ? Acquired by the Department of Lands and renamed Kogarah Park. It was dedicated as the first public park in Kogarah.

?1906 ? Control of the park passed to the Kogarah Municipal Council.

?1935 ? During Kogarah?s Jubilee celebrations in 1935, Jubilee Oval was constructed within Kogarah Park.

?1936 ? St.George make successful debut against Newtown in an exhibition match.

?1950 ? St.George move all home games to Kogarah.

?1954-1966 ? St.George undefeated at Kogarah between the dates of 26 June 1954 and 31 July 1966.

?1956-1966 ? St.George win 11 consecutive First Grade premierships whilst based at Kogarah.

?1977 ? St.George win 1st Grade premiership while based at Kogarah.

?1979 - St.George win 1st Grade premiership while based at Kogarah.

?1985 ? St.George make the Grand Final in all three grades while based at Kogarah.

?1986 ? St.George relocate all home games to SCG in a catastrophic move.

?1988 ? St.George decide to return to Kogarah in 1989 for all home games.

?1989 ? St.George return to Kogarah.

?1990 ? New Stand opened at Kogarah.

?1995 ? Kogarah witnesses Save Our Saints protests.

?1998 ? Kogarah hosts the St.George vs Canterbury semi-final.

?1999 ? Dragons decide to leave Kogarah again, with Sydney based games being relocated to the Sydney Football Stadium.

?2000 ? R2K (Return To Kogarah) rally in Kogarah Park in support of 50% of home games being played at Jubilee Oval.

?2001 ? Barton Park and Cahill Park projects fail.

?2002 ? (March) R2K hold a successful Information Night at Kogarah RSL and run candidates for the St.George Leagues Club Board elections.

?2002 ? (July) Kogarah Council announce support for a return to Kogarah through a maintenance program.

?2002 ? (September) Dragons announce return to Kogarah for 5 matches per year in 2003 and beyond.

?2002 ? (December) Jubilee gains $800,000 from the State Government.

?2003 ? (April) Jubilee Oval renamed Oki Jubilee Stadium.

?2003 ? (May) Dragons thrash Cronulla in first match back at Kogarah.

?2004 ? (October) PM John Howard announces $8 million Federal Government funding for Kogarah over 3 years.

?2005 ? Kogarah Council approves the installation of permanent lighting.