Brunswick Districts Bowling Club – Harvey History Online

© Roy Scott, 2026.

During the 1940s Don Campbell was elected as a Councillor for the Harvey Shire Council and suggested the land overlooking the Brunswick River, owned by a Mrs Smith, would be an ideal site for a sporting complex (bowls and tennis), but nothing was done to purchase the land.

In 1952 Harry Harnett mentioned that a Social Club was urgently needed in the district and suggested the old blacksmith’s barn and stables at the corner of South Western Highway and Raymond Road, Roelands as an ideal site.

Mr Campbell continued his original plan for the land overlooking the river, which was subsequently purchased for the establishment of a bowling club. A meeting in the Memorial Hall on 18 March 1954 was held to assess the feasibility of establishing a bowling club. From that meeting Foundation Members contributed five pounds each. Ninety-four members contributed to the cause and 470 pounds/£470 was raised.

A start was then made on ‘The Hut’, bowling green and fence line. A final check revealed the reason that no water was coming from the connection with the town water supply – the meter had been put on back to front.

The Club’s first employee was a Greenkeeper/Bar Manager/Odd Job Man.

The official opening of the Brunswick Districts Bowling Club took place on 2 November 1958, with Mr Roy Eckersley opening the Club House and Mr Jack Lowe opening the greens. The Club now has three greens and volunteers still undertake much of the work required to run the facility.

The Club has produced some outstanding bowlers at both Club and State level, and is indebted to the foundation members who had the foresight to establish a successful bowling club.

Left to right: Molly Clifton, Unknown, Mrs Mitchell, Mrs George, Mrs Offer and Mrs Fry. Photo: © Harvey History Online Collection.

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