Phil Renkin
Recreation Centre

• Location
  
• History
  
• Who Was Phil Renkin

Location

The Association's base, the Phil Renkin Recreation Centre, is located in Lisford Avenue, Two Rocks WA (in the outer northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia).

History

The Phil Renkin Recreation Centre is locally known as the 'Bini Shell' because it was built using an automated building construction system developed by Dante N. Bini.

It was originally constructed as a Bini dome in the 1970's. The Bini shell was a revolutionary form of development. The concrete dome was virtually "blown up" by air and allowed to dry. Reinforced concrete was spread over a "skin" and air was pumped underneath. Then holes were cut in the reinforced concrete for doors and windows. The dome shape was considered the most useful for recreational activities - it allowed free movement because no pillars were required.

The Yanchep/Two Rocks Community Recreation Centre was completed in 1978 and officially opened on 24 February 1979. Initially, only the upper part of the Bini shell was used for recreational activities. The lower areas were brought into use later, as required. In 1982, a library, craft room and storage areas were added on the ground floor.

In April 1988, work commenced to replace the top of the dome with a more conventionally constructed second storey. The building, as it stands today, was completed in December 1988. The Centre was officially re-opened on 3 December 1989.

A management committee existed to manage the Bini Shell until November 1994 when the City of Wanneroo took over the role of management of all recreational facilities. On 24 August 2000, the City of Wanneroo officially dedicated the Two Rocks Recreation Centre to Phil Renkin, a pioneer of the area, by renaming the facility "The Phil Renkin Recreation Centre".

Click here to view a short video clip about the Phil Renkin Recreation Centre.

If you're interested in the history of the Centre, next time you're there, have a look at the collection of framed photographs of the re-building project. The photographs are on the right side of the entrance to the Library, in the foyer.

Who Was Phil Renkin

Phil Renkin became a well-known figure around the Yanchep-Two Rocks region and further afield in the rest of the City of Wanneroo from the 1970's.

Born in Melbourne on 28 September 1919, Phil served in the Royal Australian Air Force for six years and in Britain's Royal Air Force for 32 years. During some of that time, he was based at RAAF Pearce. He retired from the Air Force in December 1973, as a Group Captain. By then, Phil had taken a liking to the location of Two Rocks. He had never visited the area but had flown over it numerous times and decided to buy a block of land and settle here.

Nowadays, Yanchep-Two Rocks is a close knit community with a thriving community spirit, and that doesn't happen on its own - it takes people who work long and hard to build that spirit and to inspire others. Phil was one of those rare people who gave a great deal of his time to community endeavours and consequently was a leading light in building that community spirit.

Phil was instrumental in establishing and working with or involved in all sorts of community groups and activities over the years including the local sub-branch of the RSL; volunteer fire brigade; local Recreation and Residents Associations: Sun City Country Club; Yanchep Sports Club; Yanchep Surf Life Saving Club; Home Support Group; and Arts and Craft Workshop Group. He negotiated land for the fire station; instigated the introduction of what is now the Transperth bus service as well as gaining recognition of the need for local police and ambulance services.

Over 25 years, Phil was directly involved in raising over one million dollars to purchase, maintain and provide the free, local community bus service. He was elected as the President of the local sub-branch of the RSL when it was first formed in 1997. In the same year, Phil was also elected as the inaugural Secretary of the Yanchep-Two Rocks Recreation Association and was instrumental in getting the 'Bini Shell' built. Phil was involved with the Recreation Association until early 2011 as Treasurer.

Phil was also active in Local Government. He was a Wanneroo Councillor and subsequently (from 1983 to 1985) Deputy Mayor. He was a member of the Council's Historic Sites Advisory Committee for 15 years.

Phil was named Wanneroo Citizen of the Year in 1993 and then received the Order of Australia medal in 1997. In 2001, the Recreation Association nominated Phil to become part of the Centenary of Federation program called 'Peoplescape' A life size cutout figure of Phil was sent to Parliament House Canberra. Phil's figure stood alongside 4000 other Australian heroes to commemorate our Centenary of Federation. Phil's 'Peoplescape' can still be seen in the Phil Renkin Recreation Centre. Phil was made an Honorary Pioneer of Wanneroo in 2010.

48 people helped Phil celebrate his 90th Birthday at the Phil Renkin Recreation Centre in September 2009. Phil's niece Margaret and great nephew Peter had asked Julie Otremba, with the help of the Recreation Association, to organise a small celebration for Phil's special birthday.

Phil was nearly moved to tears when he saw the people from the community that he hadn't seen for awhile who had come to help him celebrate. Community members in attendance including: City of Wanneroo Mayor Jon Kelly, Yanchep Sun City Managing Director Nobu Kawasaki and long time friend Nick Trandos came along to pay tribute and wish Phil well for his birthday. Phil said he hadn't enjoyed himself so much for many years due to his declining health.

Terry Loftus, President of the Recreation Association, presented Phil with a framed caricature of Phil in a plane. Phil was overcome with emotions and said the caricature would take pride of place on his wall.

Phil was an exceptional gentleman and was always seeking ways of bettering his local community. He epitomised what volunteering is all about.

Retired Group Captain, Phillip Herbert Renkin, OAM, died at Hollywood Hospital on 15 September 2011, two weeks before his 92nd birthday.

For more information about Phil Renkin view the article Phil Renkin amazing gentleman published in the Sun City News.

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