About Us

MITCHAM BOWLING CLUB HAS A PROUD HISTORY, DATING BACK TO ITS FORMATION IN 1958.

For the past 50 years and beyond, Mitcham has been a prominent participant in Bowls Victoria (previously the Royal Victorian Bowls Association and Victorian Ladies Bowling Association) and has won numerous Pennant titles and bringing out a variety of best bowlers.

The Club is situated in a prime location, with two excellent bowling greens in its home in the picturesque surroundings of Halliday Park on Mitcham Road. It is a vital recreation area in people living in the Mitcham region. Additionally, it is an essential social space for all ages and abilities.

One of the most prominent examples is the sheer number of Barefoot Bowls evenings conducted by the Club to help introduce Bowls as a game. Numerous corporate and social organisations enjoy these evenings throughout the year.

 

Mitcham Bowling Club was founded on March 12, 1958, at a meeting of the public which was held in the pavilion for sports in Walker Park, Mitcham – an event organized by Mitcham Chamber of Commerce. Mitcham Chamber of Commerce which was extremely active for over 12 months in the promotion of the establishment of a bowling club within the district.

The initial notice for the gathering has been found in this article (right). The gathering was attended by three women and 56 men and was facilitated by the chairman, Mr Bill Lowe, a Councillor of the Royal Victorian Bowls Association.

The meeting voted unanimously to approve the formation of a bowling club in Mitcham. The members appointed to elect Mr Bert Atkinson as the Club’s inaugural President with Alex Johnson as Secretary and Mr Alex Johnson as Secretary and Mr Tim McCoy as Treasurer. It was proposed, and accepted that 135 men and 65 ladies constitute the maximum number of members for the Club and that the annual fee was set to five pounds per gentlemen, and one pound ten Shillings for ladies. It was also decided that an debenture of the amount 10 pounds would be taken at a rate of five percent interest.

A first gathering of Mitcham Bowling Club was held on 17 March 1958. Mitcham Bowling Club was held five days after on March 17, 1958, with 100 men and 45 ladies present. It was decided that anyone who joined by June 30, 1958 would become Foundation members.

CLUB SITE

A request was made to Nunawading Council to lease of a property fronting Mitcham Road at the south end of Halliday Park as a home for the Club. There was some resistance to the lease of this location was voiced by neighbors who live near the area The Council suggested the current site located in the north-east section as an alternative. The alternative site was more appealing for Committee members. Committee and the proposal was accepted with enthusiasm.

It was later agreed that a separate meeting of ladies would be held to form the Associates Club. The first meeting took place on the 4th of August 1958, when the first Ladies Committee was elected. It was the first lady president, Mrs Atkinson secretary Mrs Gwen Parker and Treasurer Mrs Myra Fort.

The clubhouse that was first built was a small tin shed that was where the Club was able to store its equipment and enjoyed afternoon tea in the bowls. The primary work in developing the present Clubrooms began during the mid-60s and early 70s.

First Constitution was written in 1958, with a provision in which “no intoxicating liquor be consumed in the premises of the Club”. There were a number of Constitutional changes were made throughout the years, and an alcohol license was granted in June 1977. The license was accompanied by an event to celebrate the official establishment of the Bar!

THE GREENS – OUR PRIDE AND JOY!

The first Committee was of the working bees the most efficient and economical method to create for the golf course (estimated cost of 2200 pounds) and work began on the 31st of January, 1959. The total was 1945 man hours were devoted to create the greens in 54 days from that point between the 22nd November of 1959 and the 31st January 1959.

The greens were officially opened was celebrated on December 5, 1959, by The Mayor of Nunawading Cr C.S. Ross with the participation and support of his residents as well as Federal as well as State MPs.

PENNANT SUCCESS

The Club joined the RVBA in 1960 . Four teams competed during the Pennant competition during the 1960-61 season. They played in Divisions C4 and D4.

The first Pennant success was in the 1961-62 season , when men’s no. 4 team was a Section winner as well as second in Division 4 which was a highly impressive performance for the club’s second season of Pennant competition.

The ladies had their first major win by taking the Division 5 flag in 1962-63.

The Club has built a remarkably successful record of Pennant success, setting an all-time record during the 1968-69 season of the RVBA competition. It won 4 significant Pennants as well as one smaller Pennant.

The enthusiasm and enthusiasm of the Club during the time was matched during the 1981-82 season, which saw it reach the peak of its success and took home the White Pennant in Division 1.

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