History of
the Imbil Bowls Club
On the 25th of March 1947, a meeting was held to consider the possibility of forming a Bowling Club in Imbil.
Visiting Officers from Gympie Bowling spoke on the subject, while Mr Channer an Engineer from the Widgee Shire Council (now Gympie Regional Council) addressed the meeting on the expenses of building and maintaining a green.
A provisional Committee was formed to investigate the proposal further.
The Committee was formed by:
- President – Mr J W Lutton
- Secretary – Mr A A Warland
- Treasurer – Mr H Smith
- Committee Members – R Sims, J Milford, P Wallader, A Girdler and M Azar
There were several other towns people present at this inaugural meeting to show support for the venture.
As a result of this meeting, the project became a reality on the 24th of July 1947, when the first annual meeting was held in the Imbil Memorial Hall.
The Elected Officers were:
- President – Mr J W Lutton
- Secretary – Mr A A Warland
- Treasurer – Mr J Milford
- Patron – Mr C Neucom
- Vice Presidents – Mr R Sims, Ron Meyers
- Committee – H Smith, G Price, P Wallader, E Parker, L Lutton
- Auditor – Mr H Smith
- Trustees – J W Lutton, G Meyers, A Watson
Subscription to the Club was Three Guineas.
Consideration was given to four blocks of land that could be purchased for two hundred pounds.
At the October meeting members discussed keeping construction cost to a minimum then continued:
“It was resolved that the planting of grass and keeping the green in order, be done by the voluntary labour of members, as this would affect a considerable saving in maintaining green fees. When it was suggested, a further saving could be made in purchasing a smaller area of land, the President somewhat staggered those present by informing them that he had always intended making a present of the four blocks of land to the club.”
The minutes of the meeting continued: “The secretary then spoke briefly, thanking the president for his most generous offer of presenting to the club the four blocks of land that had been reserved for the building of the green. This was endorsed by those present and as a result the committee decided to bestow on him Life Membership of the club.”
Although consideration was given to the club house, it was decided “a temporary Garage for removal” was all that was in the club’ means at this time and served the club for several years. A pipeline was installed in Yabba Creek and served the club till 1963 when town water was connected. Electricity was not available till 1953. A temporary shelter was built as a luncheon booth.
1949 was a busy year.
As the green became useable for practice games the final touches were added – a flagpole was built, and the ladies were asked to make a pennant.
A badge and hat band had been obtained. The club colours were to be maroon and gold. 150 Lepton Spernum were planted from the S.E. corner to the small gate, and to the side gate on the eastern side.
The first meeting held in the club house was in July. As it was only a shed the secretary wrote in the minutes: “There being no foot warmer at the club house some very thoughtful person dropped a hint about a cup of tea being a good thing about 10.30pm and it duly arrived in the hands of Mrs Robinson and Mrs Barbara Lutton.”
The first mention of the ladies joining the club was as “Associates”. Conditions set down were that they would pay one guinea per annum. Wednesday was set aside as play day and that they could have access to the green on Saturday, providing those rinks were available and on Sundays and holidays by invitation only.
Application for a liquor licence was made and arrangements to close off the bar area in the “Clubhouse” were made. Mrs JW Lutton was thanked for her generous donation of 3 dozen cups and saucers. By November final arrangements for the opening weekend were made. Two of the lady members of the Associate Club came to the meeting to report that the CWA had turned down the catering, but the lady bowlers were prepared to do it if the men helped.
The Gympie Times, 6th December 1949 gave this report, reproduced in part below:
NEW BOWLING GREEN AT IMBIL
200 at opening ceremony on Saturday.
“You have done a remarkable job in promoting in your district one of the finest of all sports – a game with which goodwill, hospitality and friendship are synonymous.”
These words were spoken by Dr E Thiele, President of the Wide Bay District Association and QBA Representative.
“Set picturesquely in rural surroundings the smooth perfectly turfed baize expanse of the green made an attractive contrast to the cream and white garb of the huge body of players at the carnival.” The Mayor of Gympie, Ald R N Witham, Dr D A Low, M.L.A. and Councillor W H Kidd, Chairman of the Widgee Shire, endorsed their remarks. The work of the Greenkeeper Mr Vic Andersen was praised. At afternoon tea the President welcomed visiting bowlers and was replied to by representatives of the visitors.
Mr Gus Warland was given the honour of christening the green. A total of 16 associations and club took part with 132 players. The carnival continued Sunday.
CLUB NAME CHANGES
On the 24th of May 1952, a special meeting was called to change the name of the club to the “Imbil Bowling Club”. New badges and had bands were required and procedure to legalise the name change concerning debentures was addressed. At this time the ladies were to be known as “The Imbil Bowling Club Associates”.
Due to the decrease in bowls played at the club it was decided in 2019 that affiliation with Bowls Queensland and Australia would no longer be necessary and a change to “Imbil Community & Sports Club Inc” was put forward to help secure the future of the club.
FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES
During the 1950’s considerable difficulty was experienced in keeping the club debt under control. To build the green “Debentures” had been taken out by members and citizens in the name of “The M.V.B. Club”, and interest had to be paid each year. The debentures were brought back by the club where possible, if the lenders requested it. Plans for building a club house were shelved until 1956 when a tender of J.W. Petersen of 266 pounds was accepted.
Much of the materials to be used was donated. Cost cutting exercises included asking the ladies to forego play day on Wednesday to save the greenkeepers fees; asking members to patronise the greenkeeper as much as possible so that his services could be retained for a full three days a week, donations and loans were forthcoming, consideration given to a rise in green fees and subscriptions.
By 1960 a credit balance gave the Club a much-needed moral boost, and a bank loan was now possible to carry out further improvements.
CLUB HOUSE OPENING
On the 1st of December 1956 after an afternoon of social bowls a high tea with over 100 people gathered in the new club hours, Mr Albert Watson welcomed the guests. The Vice-president of the Gympie-Widgee Association, Mr Sam Murray officially opened the building and praised the club on its success. He said it was a fine thing to have such a spirit of co-operation between the men’s and women’s clubs as existed in Imbil.
A social evening followed, with musical items rendered by the Kenilworth piano-accordion band under the leadership of Mrs P Hawkins, a former Imbil resident. Music for song and dance was played by Mrs N Nolan with several vocal and musical items by local and visiting artists. The carnival was continued on Sunday, with full rinks on both days which was a record for the club.
PROGRESS THROUGH THE 60’S
In 1957 arrangements were made to lease ground to the tennis club, providing certain conditions were met.
In 1958 an Indoor Bowls mat was provided, and bowls was held every second Friday night, with a mat fee of two shillings. These players were invited to join the Bowls Club for the Xmas party.
When work began on Borumba Dam in 1961, the club arranged to entertain the visitors working at the dam. A special liquor permit was obtained. Club house extensions, a new bar and improved temprite and refrigeration came in 1967, but for the ladies the installation of the septic would have been high on their list of improvements.
1982 – ERA OF TIFF DWARF
Blue couch used to be the grass used and the problem of destroying the couch and establishing the Tiff Dwarf was attacked head on by the greenkeeper Mervyn Steinke. With the object of not destroying the surface of the green in mind, two months of constant watering three times a day, saw the result – a well-nigh perfect green.
Continual improvements have been made throughout the years. Increased floor space has made allowance for a separate dining room, new kitchen facilities, wheelchair access and toilet, large bar and seating areas, a modern cold room and air-conditioning. Guests at evening functions appreciate the dance floor and the veranda area overlooking Yabba Creek.
The Imbil Community & Sports Club, through the hard work and dedication of its many members, has provided a venue appreciated by all, from the many bowlers who have come and played on our green, the juniors who learnt to play on our green to the many, many functions from high school graduations, Birthdays and Wakes that have been held in our club house over the years. The Club….. The Bowlsy holds a special place in many hearts and through the continued work and dedication of its committee and members it will continue to be here for generations to come, opening its doors for anyone who needs it.