History of Marong Bowls Club
Compiled on 20th April, 2013 by Nancy Tate.
On 23rd February, 1983 a special public meeting was held at MalonePark to see if a bowling green and club could be established. In May of that year, 54 people – the foundation members - attended a further meeting, raising $7000 in public debentures, each worth $25. The ground for the proposed green was levelled in the same year.
In June, 1984 the following people were elected:
Mens Committee
President: Wally Newton
Vice Presidents: Bob Mellis, Ken Turner
Secretary: Les Mitchell Treasurer: Stuart Beckwith.
Ladies Committee
President: Anne Beckwith
Vice President: Cheryl Jacobs
Secretary: Alvis McKenzie
Treasurer: Joan Ketterer.
There were 9 ladies at the first meeting of the ladies: Lauris Mitchell, Alvis McKenzie, Doreen Crawford, Cheryl Jacobs, Mrs Jacobs Snr, Joanna Strybosch, Joan Ketterer, Lorna Andrews and Anne Beckwith. Anne became the first president; quite a challenge whilst raising 4 young children. The ladies were granted $20 by the Men’s Committee to begin their bank account.
With committees established, the hard work of fundraising began. The ladies ran lacy parties, held cake stalls and organised bingo events. The men cut wood, carted hay, ran an art show and held a white elephant sale, among other things.
Phillip Mitchell won the competition to design a Marong badge which is still used on our badges and pennant shirts. After many working bees, often hard and laborious sessions, the “A” green was made ready for play. It was officially opened by Mr Jim Ross, a Marong Shire councillor, on Saturday 15th September, 1984. Membership was set at $15.
The men and ladies each applied to play pennant in the 1984-85 Season. The football club pavilion was used for afternoon tea.
Plans for the club house started in September, 1986 and the building commenced in November. It was constructed using mostly voluntary labour, apart from the bricklaying, plumbing, electrical works etc., with the ladies providing some refreshments. A photographic record of the building’s construction is mounted in the club house. Lorna Andrews, Win Chambers and Doreen Crawford had the job of choosing the carpet, vinyl and the colour scheme.
The 1986-87 Season was officially opened on 26th September by the president of the Bendigo District Bowls Association, Reg Marslen. Bill Taylor, the club’s greens director, cut the ribbon to officially open the club house. A short time after the opening, the overhead watering system was installed.
In 1987-88, the men won the Division C Pennant competition.
In 1988-89, the ladies won the Division 8 Pennant competition.
Heartbeat Day was begun by Mary and John Marks in 1991 after John became a member of Heartbeat. Marong holds a Heartbeat Day every New Year’s Day to raise money for the group. The proceeds are used to buy equipment for Bendigo Health and St John of God hospitals. Marong has raised in excess of$11,500 for Heartbeat over the 22 years to 2013.
In 1992-1993, the ladies won the Division 12 Pennant competition.
In 1993-94, the ladies won the Section 4 Pennant competition.
In 1994-95, the men won the B3 Pennant competition.
In 1995-96, the men won the B3 Pennant competition.
In 1996, several trees were removed to start a second green. Bill Taylor bought a shed for $5 at a clearing sale. It was then dismantled and some components were used to box the ditches. The green was sewn in Tiff Dwarf, obtained from Numurkah Bowling Club, and an overhead watering system was installed. The “B” green was officially opened by Sonny Downs,the then president of Bowls Australia. In 2001, the “A” green was converted by voluntary labour to Tiff Dwarf, at a cost of $1000.
In 2005-2006, the ladies won the Division 3 Midweek Pennant competition.
In 2006, club stalwartBill Taylor passed away. Bill was the club’s green keeper, a tireless worker and a very good bowler; he won the first club championship. Such was his commitment; he’d often be at the club six days a week! The “A” green was duly named in his honour.
In 2006-2007, the ladies won the Division 3 Midweek Pennant competition.
In 2007, we applied for permission to wear coloured shirts. Blinds were installed on the club house exterior. Synthetic grass was applied to the ditch backboards. Assistance posts were installed around each green and a wheelchair ramp was added to the club house.
In 2008, a rider-on mower was purchased.
In 2009, an air conditioner was installed in the club house. New shade cloth was purchased for the “B” green. A rose garden was planted in the northwest corner of the grounds and a low-maintenance garden was developed at the entrance to the club.
In 2010, Barefoot Bowls was started of a Wednesday evening as a means of boosting the membership. The activity, though slow to gain momentum, progressively gained in popularity, due to the input of several members.
In 2010-11, the men won the Division C Pennant competition.
In 2011, the grounds were flooded when the Bullock Creek overflowed after 7 inches of rain fell in 5 days. Water rose so high it entered the club house and caused approximately $50,000 worth of damage to the buildings and the club equipment. Marong’s members rallied to clean up the mess. Several flood recovery grants assisted the repair of the club house and the replacement or repair of damaged equipment. The “B” Green was back in play a few weeks later.
Club stalwart, Bob Mellis passed away. Bob, a foundation member, president and secretary for the club, used to write letters and reports to the members. He loved painting and he often donated paintings for prizes and for raffles. His wife, Belle, took the names for social bowls at home until the club got the phone on.
In 2012-2013, the membership had grown to the point where an additional team could be fielded: Division 9 Weekend Pennant. In all, the club fielded one Midweek Pennant team and three Weekend Pennant teams. Marong won both the Division 8 and Division 9 Weekend Pennant competitions and was runner up in Division 4.
With the help of the local Red Cross Action Group, a defibrillator was purchased through Red Cross Australia.
In the 2012-13 Season, Marong has entered four teams in Weekend Pennant.