North Mackay Ladies celebrate 75th anniversary

What a pleasure to visit Mackay once again for another celebration. Colleen Ryan and myself were invited to North Mackay Ladies Bowling Club to join in the 75th anniversary celebrations of this great club. Many thanks to President Lidia McCarthy and her wonderful committee for inviting us to share this achievement with all of you.

Some interesting history is that on April 22, 1947 it was passed that the Old Farleigh Mill Barracks be purchased for use as a bowls club for the princely sum of 60 pounds. The club purchased an ice chest for five pounds, then applied for a liquor licence and steady progress began towards opening its doors on April 26, 1948.

The construction of the green was organised by Mr Maplethorpe and members volunteered to build the green, which cost 2,000 pounds.

The Magpie Emblem was adopted because it was used by the North Mackay Sporting Clubs and is still in use today.

The North Mackay Ladies Bowling Club was formed immediately after the men’s club in June 1948. The first Lady President was Mable Hayes and the first Secretary was Florence Hamilton. The women have worked hand in hand with the men’s club to this day.

The club is what it is today because of the dedicated past presidents, committees and members who worked hard over the years. The men did maintenance, painting, mowing and kept the shrubs trimmed and the women weeded gardens, cleaned inside and out and made the sandwiches for morning and afternoon teas. Green 1 was covered and artificial carpet replaced the grass in 2001. A few years later, the second green was also covered and artificial carpet installed. Come 2011, the club, under the guidance of President Ray McCarthy and his committee, was rebuilt to what it is today.

During this time, the No 3 Green was turned into a carpark. President Ray McCarthy, during his seven years as president, oversaw the complete transformation of the club with a new gaming room, reception, bistro, outdoor play area and electric signage on the footpath. After all this was completed, Ray retired.

In 2022, the club went in a different direction and appointed a Board of Management and the men’s and ladies’ bowls section was formed. The women dissolved their own Incorporated Club to become the North Mackay Bowls Club Ladies Section and now celebrate 75 years.

Colleen and I were made very welcome and had a great time joining in the celebrations and would like to thank North Mackay Ladies for their hospitality.

Also a special thank you goes to Ray McCarthy for three days of taxi service, laughter and history on the Mackay area (81 years worth of information).

Tara’s Matt on his 9th consecutive win!

Matt Prain from Tara has recently won his 9th Club ‘A’ Grade Singles Championship, yes, that’s right, 9th! And to top it off, this was nine consecutive wins! Consecutive winning seems to be a thing at Tara Bowls Club if you look at the honour board (pictured below).

Matt, who has been playing bowls for Tara for about 13 years, puts his success down to being competitive, but adds that he tries to be close to the jack and build pressure from the very first bowl.

At a group level, Matt has also had some success, although at the moment his children’s sporting ambitions have taken over so bowls is having to take a bit of a step back. Matt did compete in this year’s District Sides and he plays in the regular carnivals in support of the small local clubs. He says “we have a lot of fun and we’ve won our fair share over the years”.

Matt also puts a lot back into the bowls community; he is Secretary of the Tara Club and the Condamine Men’s District and Match Committee Chairman.

As to his future plans, Matt’s goal this year would be to win a blue pennant for the combined Tara/ Jandowae/Taroom team. Perhaps he’ll also strive to win next year’s competition and make it a decade of club championships!

Windsor’s Lottie Redfern turns 100!

Recently, Windsor Bowls Club’s oldest Club Life Member Lottie Redfern reached the ripe old age of 100 years old.

Lottie was an active bowler up until the age of 93, but has been in an nursing home for a few years now. Members of the club visited her to celebrate her milestone.

Happy birthday Lottie!

Were you a member at Suburban Bowls Club? Help them celebrate 100 years!

Suburban Bowls Club in Townsville will be celebrating its Centenary later this year. A week of events is being assembled for the week of August 19-26, including an Invitational Fours and Night Bowls, with a Centenary Dinner to be held on Saturday, August 26.

Club Secretary, David Crichton, would love to hear from past members of the club with information or stories of their time with Suburban. Contact the club at (07) 4779 4983 or email subtville@bigpond.com