Competitive gymnastics began at Carey in 1954 when coach Phil Rye (staff 1960–76), who later joined the staff full-time, handpicked several boys for an Under 16 team. The team won the Victorian Amateur Gymnastics Association (VAGA) championship in 1957, 1958 and 1959, with Peter Wyer (OCG 1960) named the state champion in all three years. Up to eighty boys were attending Saturday morning gymnastics classes by this time. House colours were first awarded to gymnasts in 1963. Five teams entered the VAGA competition in 1963, and Carey won it again in 1966.

When school national gymnastics competition resumed in 1965, Carey joined in and beat Brisbane Grammar School and Haileybury College. When Phil Rye retired, the club named an award in his honour for the best student contributor. The first recipient, in 1976, was David Young (OCG 1976). Rowan Shinkfield (OCG 1970)  took over in 1977 as the new coach.