Booval – Swifts Bowls Club

 

In 1937, a group of men  met to discuss the desirability of forming a Bowls Club at Booval. Early records of the Club have been lost, so not all details can be given. Mr T Sharp was elected as the first President; with Mr Alex Gibb as Secretary; of the establishment which would become Booval Bowls Club.

 

Mr Sharp invited wives of members of the newly formed Club to a meeting on 15 September 1937 to discuss the formation of a Ladies Bowling Club. Fortunately, all minutes of the Club have been preserved from this very first meeting. Mrs T Sharp was elected President with Mrs I Lonie the first Treasurer; and the ten ladies present became members of the first Ladies Bowling Committee. On 27 September 1937, a further 16 members were accepted. It was also resolved to contact the Secretary of the Queensland Ladies Bowling Association regarding affiliation, colours,uniform, rules and regulations. 

At the next meeting, a reply with relevant details was tabled from Q.L.B.A. and so the committee voted to affiliate with Q.L.B.A. as a Country Club. Mrs Sharp was elected as Delegate to the Q.L.B.A.

Booval Bowls Club developed with the assistance of the Ipswich City Council and fundraising with the first green being built in 1938; and the Club House officially opened on 28 January 1939.

At the Annual General Meeting of the Booval Ladies Bowling Club in February 1939, the Ladies accepted an invitation to use the green on the Wednesday of each week. A green fee of one shilling was set for this day.

Both Ladies and Men became very keen bowlers – the Ladies travelling long distances by Public Transport leaving home before 7.00am; and not returning until 8.00pm at night.

The Men and Ladies both competed in the Metropolitan Pennants and met success over the years. The Club continued to play Metropolitan Pennants until 1988 when the Cunningham District Bowls Association was formed. Cunningham was one of four District Associations which had previously been Metropolitan.

Improvements to the facilities continued to take place; with the Mens and Ladies Clubs working individually and jointly to raise necessary funds.

It was not long after the formation of the Club, that the Green was extended to a twelve rink green; with a second Green quickly following. By 1967, planning had started to convert the twelve rink Green into two normal size greens. This was completed by 1971.

Tift-Dwarf grass was laid on one in 1980; and is now on all Greens. Lights were installed on number one Green in 1981.

By 1960, the Club House was considered too small, and planning commenced to accommodate a much larger Bar Area. By 1980, further extensions were considered necessary; and plans were drawn up to add a second story. This was completed by 1985; with the official opening in September of that year. The old Club House was actually moved; and a the new one built from the ground up.

This new building is the one that stands today; but has come at a cost. Building costs blew out; and with difficult financial times coupled with high interest rates, the Club had to call a Special General Meeting to plan recovery action. As a first step, the Club incorporated with Mr Peter Beasley as the initial Chairperson. On 13 May 1987, the Mens and Ladies Clubs became equal members of Booval Bowls Club Inc.

With hard work and the coming of Poker Machines, the Club finances improved and allowed for the employment of a full time Secretary/ Manager and the leasing of the catering to outside interests. a refurbishment was undertaken with new carpeting, furniture, painting and shades for the greens. However, the revival was not long lasting; and once again financial difficulties hit. This time, despite all efforts, the amenities became part of Swifts Rugby League; with the Club House becoming Swifts Sports Club and the Bowling Club changing its name to Swifts Bowls Club Inc. 

 

 Original Members

J. Russell, W. Williams, G. A. Logan, J. McPherson,

G. Hutton, R. Thomson, T. Walker, T. Hislop,

G. Marshall, E. Nicholls, J. Kruger, F. Dale, T. Brown,

F.O. Allan, A. Lawrie, J. Dwyer, R. Ross, D. Hill,

K.O. Forrer, A. E. Phillips, E. Cutler, I. Lonie (Vice Pres),

R. G. Livermore (Hon Treas), D. A. Gledson (Patron), T. Sharp (President),

A. Gibb (Hon, Sec), V.L. Walker (Vice Pres), 

A.T. Hudson, J. Pearce, T.J. Humphreys (Greens Director),

P. J. Kruger, E. N. Kruger, W. Clark,

F. A. Cooper, D. Littleboy, A. McC. Scott, B. Hardie.