Following the transformative early 1990s, Engadine Bowling and Recreation Club entered a period of sustained excellence and remarkable growth. The years from 1996 to 1999 would see the club reach new heights in competitive bowling, achieve significant financial milestones, and navigate the challenges of an evolving regulatory environment while maintaining its position as one of the premier bowling clubs in New South Wales.
1996: State Finals and Financial Strength
The year 1996 opened with spectacular success on the bowling greens. In June, the No. 3 Men’s Pennant Team achieved the remarkable feat of becoming Zone 10 Winners before advancing to become Runners-up in the State Final. The team, comprising Grahame Mayne, Tony Crammond, George Nelson, Vince Moroney (Manager), Ken Johnson, Lionel Dennis, John Pendergast, Paul Brett, Ron Graham, Ray Stewart, Jack Simpson, Kevin Hawes, Monty Hall, Ray Platt, and Roger Gordon, exemplified the depth of talent that had developed within the club.
Beryl Boyle completed her third year in office as Women’s Bowling Club President. Her achievements extended beyond club level when she became District President, serving a full three-year term. Beryl’s impressive bowling record included membership of the No. 1 Pennant Team during their consecutive District wins, and her team’s success in District events cemented her reputation as both a leader and competitor. Her outstanding contribution would later be recognised with Life Membership in 2002.
The Annual Report revealed that memberships had risen to 2,467, reflecting the club’s growing appeal across the broader community. August 26 marked another significant milestone with the honouring of Ken Oliver and Glen Mathers with Life Membership, recognising their exceptional service to the club.
Janet Farrell’s return to the President’s Chair brought renewed energy and enthusiasm to the Women’s Bowling Club, continuing her significant contribution to the organisation’s development.
The Financial Report recorded an Operating Profit of $600,000 with a net result of $322,000, while gross income reached approximately $3 million. This strong financial position enabled planning for the next major project – the final development of the third green, surrounds, and additional parking, with an estimated cost exceeding $200,000.
Jim Dwyer and Roger Henson reached the final of the Pairs State Champions of Club Champions event, while teaming with Ken Oliver to win the Top of the Shire Triples. The Men’s No. 3 and No. 5 Pennant Teams achieved outstanding results to become Zone Champions, with Andy Pascoe finishing as Zone Singles Runner-up and Peter Hughes and Robin Smith claiming the Zone Pairs title.
The Snooker Club enjoyed what could only be described as “fantastic” interclub achievements, with three of their five representative teams finishing as Minor Premiers. Their committee’s hard work in obtaining sponsorship paid dividends, with Timbar Joinery Pty Ltd, Southern Suburbs Shopfitting & Glazing, and long-time club supporter Keith Northey Real Estate all coming on board as sponsors.
Secretary Manager Barry Wood noted the challenging regulatory environment, observing: “Although the Club is not subject to tax on trading results, there is indirect taxation exceeding $500,000 to Federal and State Treasuries. This tax is not disclosed by media when criticising the Club industry.”
1997: First State Representative and Regulatory Challenges
1997 brought historic recognition when Pam Hockings became the first State Representative from the Engadine Women’s Bowling Club, selected to play in the State Development Squad. This achievement marked another milestone in the club’s journey toward elite-level recognition.
The year also brought recognition for Joyce and Ollie Sandry, one of the many couples who contributed vastly to the club. Joyce’s impressive bowling record included winning the Major Singles championship on six occasions and holding 18 Club Championships. Her dedication continued through her role as Bowls Organiser, a position she maintained even after retiring from active bowling until her health failed. Joyce was awarded Life Membership in 1997, while Ollie’s participation, though restricted due to chronic health problems, was equally valued. Both remain fondly remembered by the club community.
Ron Baikie’s remarkable dominance in billiards continued, having been Billiards Champion from 1977 and maintaining this reign until 2007 – a testament to his talent and competitive spirit over three decades.
The club’s commitment to community service was demonstrated through a charity concert held to raise funds for “Life Education,” featuring the Engadine High School Band. This event highlighted the club’s ongoing support for local organisations and educational initiatives.
During this era, the club industry faced targeted regulations that impacted end-of-year figures, with several member benefits being eliminated. The introduction of responsible service requirements for bar and gambling facilities resulted in high costs for training and application. Additionally, legislation introducing the 5km radius rule for non-members entering the club resulted in increased supervision costs and the installation of security systems.
Despite these challenges, membership continued to increase dramatically. Five hundred new members joined in the previous 12 months, bringing the total membership to 2,935 by September.
In his Annual Report, Secretary Manager Barry Wood reported a net profit of $285,615, with gross income reaching approximately $3.2 million. Barry’s final report before retiring expressed gratitude for the huge support given by staff and the Board of Directors, reporting with pride that several major projects had been completed during his tenure, including the much-needed third green.
The year also marked a moment of global sadness with the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, in August, which shocked and saddened the entire world.
1998: New Leadership and Championship Success
1998 proved to be another outstanding year for the Women’s Bowling Club. The No. 1 Pennant team claimed Section Winners status, while the No. 3 Pennant Team became Group/Zone Winners. Most remarkably, the No. 4 Pennant Team advanced to the State Finals, eventually going down to Alstonville in the Final – a tremendous achievement that demonstrated the depth of talent across all grades.
Fay Cooper’s dominance continued as she won the Major Singles for the second consecutive year and third time overall. Barbara James achieved state-level recognition when selected to represent NSW in the series against Victoria. The coaching skills of Elsie Stewart were widely acknowledged as playing a significant part in these successes.
Gary Baudinette was appointed Secretary/Manager, taking over the administration team leadership role. His appointment marked the beginning of what would become an 11-year tenure filled with both achievements and challenges.
August 2 saw Don Short become a full bowling member, having previously been a member of the Dawnbreakers Golf Club for many years. This “one-man working bee” would help many club members with his energy and expertise. Upon retirement, bowling became Don’s passion, leading to his appointment as Chairman of the Social Committee and Senior Vice President. His contribution would be warmly acknowledged when he vacated the position in 2007, before returning to committee duties in 2008 on the Match Committee.
The opening of the Engadine Ambulance Station on May 13 with two ambulances and nine staff marked an important development for the local community. By 1998, this had expanded to four ambulances with higher-level Officers in Command and additional personnel.
The Snooker Club presented a very satisfying Annual Report under President Clinton Good’s leadership, with competition results revealing Engadine players as outstanding in both ability and friendship.
Engadine High School student Jiah Liavella won the District Junior Singles in his first attempt – an outstanding result made possible through the coaching and support of Peter Hughes.
The Men’s Bowling Club continued its winning ways, with the No. 1 and No. 5 Pennant teams winning Zone Flags and qualifying for the play-offs, while the No. 2s finished as Runners-up in the Zone Finals. These achievements contributed to Engadine Men’s Bowling Club winning the Zone Champion Club of the Year Award.
The pressures applied to all registered clubs caused some unwelcome changes. The Board was reluctantly forced to close the restaurant and discontinue the Variety Day Concerts and free meat raffles – decisions that reflected the challenging regulatory environment facing the club industry.
The year marked the loss of one of the great entertainers of the 20th Century when Frank Sinatra passed away on May 14, bringing an end to the era of “Old Blue Eyes.”
1999: Champion Club Recognition
1999 presented significant challenges for Gary Baudinette and the Board, with heavy costs incurred in modifying greens’ lighting and ensuring noise reduction, along with substantial legal fees. However, once the requirements had been met, the club was able to return to traditional trading hours. Normality returned, and trading recovered and accelerated, demonstrating the resilience and adaptability that had become hallmarks of the club’s operations.
Gwen Parnham was elected President of the Women’s Bowling Club, beginning what would become a full three-year term. She would later be re-elected President in 2005, enjoying her position while overseeing many changes during her six years of leadership. A particularly satisfying moment came with the flag-raising ceremony declaring Engadine Champion Club in Zone 13. This acknowledgement was especially meaningful as Engadine now boasted 40 years of operation with memberships nearing 3,200.
The Major Singles Championship was won by Barbara James, while Beryl Boyle and Vi Noakes claimed the Pairs Championship. The District Triples victory went to Laurie Duvall, Vi Noakes, and Beryl Boyle, maintaining the club’s reputation for producing champions across all competitive levels.
The Darts Club entered two teams in the Sutherland Shire Competition, with Engadine being chosen to host the Shire “A” Grade Finals. One team reached the Final while the other played in the Grand Final, finishing as Runners-up. The club was pleased to report that their regular sponsors continued their valuable support throughout the year.
Building Toward the New Millennium
The period from 1996 to 1999 demonstrated Engadine Bowling and Recreation Club’s ability to maintain excellence while adapting to an increasingly complex regulatory environment. With membership approaching 3,200, strong financial performance despite significant challenges, and competitive success across all sections, the club entered the new millennium well-positioned for continued growth and achievement.
Stay tuned for further insights into the Engadine Bowling and Recreation Club’s storied history. These blogs are a summary of our Golden Anniversary Book in which you can read the full story.
