Trainer looks back on PCYC days

In just a few weeks, a WA boxing stalwart will blow out 99 birthday candles in his Australind home. A major figure in WA boxing, Bill Ivory, pictured, has been a professional fighter, referee trainer and three-time State coach. But he says his 60 years as an avid volunteer at the Police and Community Youth Centres has been his greatest achievement. “When I look back on events when I have been overjoyed, there has been quite a few good times,” Ivory said. “But truthfully, I can’t really think of anything better than when the Bunbury community decided to name the boxing centre at the PCYC after me. “I’ve had countless fellas come up to me and tell me how I helped them and their sons and it makes me feel really special. His interest with the PCYC was fostered back in 1951 when he arrived in WA after serving in the army during World War II, training troops in physical fitness, unarmed combat and boxing. After 27 years, he decided it was time to leave, but an incident that happened as a result of a fight involving one of his boys compelled him to stay. “After the fight, which my boy won, the other boy was standing on his own in the change room, so I wandered over and introduced myself,” he said. “I asked where his trainer was, and he told me he didn’t have one, so I said if he was ever to come down Bunbury way I would help him out. “Well a few months later I was at home and there was a knock on the front door and it turned out to be the boy from the fight. “I never had the heart to tell him that I retired, so I arranged for him to come to the PCYC the following week, and soon enough I was back to being a trainer.” Some 33 years later, Ivory finally retired. “If it wasn’t for the intervention of this bloke and the promise I made to help him, I would have retired earlier,” he laughed. “Things are no different now. “I still have four chaps come and train in my garage.