• Club History

Club History

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Glenelg Bowling Club has a long and glorious history.

Being a privately owned community focused club, it prides itself on its friendly atmosphere.

Here is a summary of the Club’s history.

1900 -1909

  • On 19th October 1904, a meeting of those interested in the formation of a Glenelg Bowling Club was held in the Glenelg Town Hall.
  • Mr Alfred Roberts, a former Mayor, offered part of his land on Partridge Street, Glenelg as a site for lease to the Club, with a right for the Club to purchase the land at a later date.
  • Prior to members taking over their own greens, they practiced on Mr Roberts tennis court.
  • The preparation of the green involved the carting of sand and couch grass from Somerton.
  • In 1905 the members resolved that the club’s colours would be dark green with dark red facing.
  • The first bowls game was played on the original 5 rinks in March 1905, with 2 additional rinks being added later.
  • The inaugural President was G. A. Jury and he held the position until 1915.

1910 – 1919

  • In 1910 the Club adopted the Logo consisting of a crest, the “drake” and the tag line “I play, afterwards the enemy”. The Club logo was varied in 1958 and in 2020.
  • The first clubrooms were built on the Western side of A Green but in 1913 new clubrooms were built on the Southern side of A Green and the number of rinks was increased to 10 rinks.
  • A bore was drilled in 1914 and an electric motor installed to provide water for the Greens.

1930 – 1939

  • On 7 April 1933 a meeting was held at the home of Mrs. J Tassie and the Glenelg Oval Women’s Bowling Club was formed – the first all women club with its own green, on the corner of Brighton Road and Rugless Terrace.  The GOWBC won the pennant in 1937-38.

1920 – 1929

  • The land was vested in the name of the Glenelg Bowling Club Inc, as a freehold title, on 13th December 1923.

1940 – 1949

  • As early as 1947 the Club’s Constitution had a Night Bowls Membership category with Saturday and Tuesday night games being played, but its popularity had waned by 1971 and this form of membership was not included in the 1979 version of the Constitution.

1950 – 1959

  • From as early as 1955 till 1971, snooker and billiards tournament were held during the winter months on tables at the Club.
  • A new afternoon tearoom was completed in 1957.
  • In 1957 a special funds appeal was made to members to pay for the erection of a new fence and entrance gates as a memorial to the late Phil Day, the former Secretary of the Club. These gates still form the entrance to the Club.
  • In 1957 the Club increased its overdraft to improve the lighting of A Green for night play.

1960 – 1969

  • The land for B Green was purchased for 2,500 pounds in 1960 and after volunteers cleared the backyard trees and outbuildings, the 5 additional rinks were first used in 1963.
  • On 29th August 1963, the Club’s land was Gazetted as Private Open Space. This section of the Town Planning Act, and all subsequent Acts, means that the Club foregoes the potential to subdivide the land in return for a reduction in rates and taxes.
  • At a special meeting of members in 1963, members approved expenditure for a new clubrooms and associated furniture.
  • New clubrooms were opened on 10th October 1964, which involved the Club borrowing 10,000 pounds.

1970 – 1979

  • The 1974, Annual Report reported that ladies of the Glenelg United Women’s Bowling Club had been admitted as Associate Members of the Glenelg Bowling Club.
  • The 1976, Annual Report included Sponsors’ advertisements, thus heralding the moving away from membership fees and tournaments as the prime source of income for the Club.

1980 – 1989

  • The northern wall of B Green was erected in 1980.
  • During April to September 1981, the Club’s Committee negotiated with Council staff on the option of transferring the GBC land and buildings to the Council and the Club renting it back for a $1 per year. A Special Meeting of Members was held on this option at which it was stated that such an option would address the high costs of operating the Club and increase the chances of obtaining grants.  After ongoing discussions, this option was thankfully not progressed.
  • In July 1981, the clubrooms were extensively damaged by fire due to a failed break-in attempt. There were an estimated $100,000 damages including the gutting of the western end of the clubrooms and smoke and heat damage to the rest of the building and contents.  As a result, the clubrooms were rebuilt with an extended kitchen, upgraded lady’s amenity facilities and evaporative ducted air-conditioning added.
  • The shelters on the northern side of A Green were erected in 1984 along with the paving and new shed.
  • In 1984/85 the Couch grass was replaced by Santa Anna grass on B Green then A green. During the green closure, the Club’s Pennant games were played at Underdale and St Peters.
  • At a Special Meeting in 1987, it was resolved to enable women to be Full Members of the Glenelg Bowling Club, coming into effect in 1988.
  • The ladies amenity facilities were extended on 1988.
  • The City of Glenelg Perpetual Mayoral Trophy was first awarded in 1988.

1980 – 1989

  • The wooden benches around the greens were replaced with aluminum benches in 1991/92 due to a Council grant and funds from the Glenelg United Women’s Bowling Club.

1990 – 1999

  • A wooden illuminated sponsorship board was erected inside the clubroom in 1992 and removed in 2012 as part of the clubroom upgrade and the increased use of the modified verandah for sponsorships.
  • The western deck was upgraded in and an inset wall was built on the southern side of B Green in 1993. A new shed was also erected on the northern side of A Green.  A Council grant assisted in these works.

2000 – 2009

  • Full coloured Pennant shirts with sponsors’ names were introduced in 2001.
  • Night Owls games recommenced in 2003 and were expanded in 2004 to two nights during the October to March season.
  • In 2005 the Club held Centenary Celebrations, which included the erection of a marque on B Green for the event and the presentation of a potted history of the Club.
  • The Glenelg Bowling Club and the Glenelg United Woman’s Bowling Club unified in 2005 by a change in the Constitution.
  • The lights over A Green were upgraded in 2006 with assistance from a State Government grant.
  • From 2008 to 2011 the clubrooms were used for Adelaide Fringe Events.

2010 – 2019

  • A disabled toilet facility was incorporated into the clubrooms in 2011 with major grant assistance from the Council and State Government.
  • In January/February 2013 the tiled roof of the clubhouse was replaced with a colorbond roof and a modified verandah, with funding from the Club’s capital fund.
  • In 2013, the Club commenced an ongoing clubroom upgrade program to improve facilities for members and increase the opportunities for venue hiring. This program continues today.
  • New bar lounge chairs were purchased in 2013.
  • Coloured Club caps and hats were introduced in 2013.
  • New bowls, in a range of sizes, were purchased in 2015 for Night Owls and Social Bowlers use, using funds from a grant and a special program by Hensilite.
  • In 2015, the kitchen was upgraded, including stainless steel benches, a new oven and a dishwasher, with funds from a State Government grant as well the Club’s capital fund.
  • B green was upgraded in 2016 with volunteers wheel barrowing in the soil. Buildings work in 2016/17, included the erection of a secure BBQ enclosure, the screening of the rubbish bins area and replacement of the deck next to B Green.
  • The bar and lounge area were upgraded in 2017/19 with funds from the Club’s capital fund while the new coolroom was part of the extended Carlton and United Breweries agreement.
  • A smart electricity meter and safety switch board was installed 2018/19 to provide the options for solar panels and LED greens lights.
  • A 100 replacement chairs for the table area were purchased in 2018/19.
  • There were 24 venue hires and 13 bowling/bar bookings in 2018/19 which contributed to diversifying the income base of the club.
  • Two Pennant Premierships were won in 2018/19 being Saturday Division 4 West and Wednesday Division 4 West.
  • Two Pennant Premierships were won in 2019/20 being Wednesday Division 4 West and Saturday Division 7 West.
  • The finals campaign of the Wednesday Division 3 South West team was thwarted by the COVID-19 restrictions.
  • A Thursday ladies Pennant team was re-established in 2019/20 with a considerable number of Night Owl players and the team won 8 of its matches.
  • The new club Pennant team shirt featuring the new GBC 1905 logo, retained the drake symbol and Latin quote on the back and the Buffalo ship was first worn by all teams early in the 2019/20 Pennants season.
  • The Club continued to make an operating surplus in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 period despite the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

2020 – 2029

  • In 2022 new LED overhead lights were installed to replace the very old incandescent overhead lights.
  • In 2022 new automatic irrigation sprinklers were installed inside the ditch to replace the old manual hose and sprinkler system.
  • In 2022 a new and larger Maintenance Shed was erected.