Dubbo Bowling Club – A Thin Slice of History

The suggestion of a bowling club was first mooted in 1904, and in July of that year the initial meeting was held. Mr. J.A. Ryan (then Mayor of the town), chaired the gathering, others present being Messrs. Sillar, Stones, Moseley, Bilsborrow, Dixon, Field, White and G. Palmer. Mr Palmer was appointed honorary secretary pro. tem., and it was decided to start a bowling club.

At a subsequent meeting the subscription was fixed at one guinea with a 10/- liability call. Five guineas constituted life membership.

the problem of a suitable site next had to be decided and several locations were. considered. A block of land in Bourke Street which was under offer was first rules out, and later the ground on which now stands the fire brigade station was turned down also. Subsequently on March 13th, 1905, a sub-committee comprising Messrs, Hawke, Sillar, Wilkinson, Palmer, Bilsborrow and Watson met the Council parks committee and after some discussion he present site was decided upon. Later, at a council meeting on Tuesday June 13th, 1905, the Mayor (Alderman Ryan) tabled the following motion:

“That the council do now consider and determine as to the site and area of land applied for by the Dubbo Bowling Club situated within the recreation ground known as Victoria Park, and when agreed to, that the consent of the Minister for Lands be applied for.”

The motion was was carried.

The plan as tabled showed the area to have a frontage of 176 feet to Wingewarra Street and a depth of 160 feet. (This area later was added to when, in July 1906, council wrote giving the club formal permission “to enclose extra ground to the north of the present area”. It was then decided to extend an extra 60 ft.)

July, 1905, saw three rinks being prepared, the grounds being fenced with wire netting and a top strand of barbed wire. This, however, did not deter small boys, who according to reports at the time, caused considerable trouble by getting over the fence and damaging the prepared surface.

The estimated expenditure at this stage – which included the laying on of water – was £120, and the membership fees not being sufficient, several gentlemen solved the difficulty by advancing sums of money enough to defray the cost. Owing to a very dry season, however, it was not until January of the following year that the “game of bowls” was played.

Old files record the fact that one rink was fit for play and the club had purchased three jacks, six mats and two measuring pegs. Messrs, Watson, Hawke and Palmer were appointed to a committee to draft the rules of the club. It was then decided that the ‘year’ would commence on the first day of September each year.

February 1906 saw the first competition arranged, which was a handicap tournament for a pair of silver mounted bowls donated by Mr Robb, representative of Holdsworth McPerson & Co.

My March of that year the club had fenced and herbed the grounds, installed a water service, acquired a pavilion by purchasing an unoccupied house which had been used as a private school in Bourke street, and now had a green of three rinks ready for play, which had incurred a total expenditure of £161. 5.10. Then on the 10th of the month came the red letter day, the official opening of the club.

With the Dubbo Brass Band playing in the grounds and flags and bunting waving in the breeze, a large crowd assembled to witness members christen their new green which was the culmination of almost two years of hard work. A team of Welling bowlers attended as got guests of honour, and luncheon was served at Wilkinson’s Royal Hotel. The arrangements of the day were in the hands of Messers Wilkinson, Hawke, Sutton, Cadman, Tinkler, Kennedy and Palmer. In the afternoon the opening ceremony was performed and the first bowl put down, amid great applause, by Mr J. A. Ryan.