As Engadine Bowling Club entered the 1960s, the momentum built in the previous years continued with a clear focus on expanding the club’s facilities and leadership. One of the first calls to action came in 1962, when donations were requested to provide seating around the greens. The club members responded generously, and by March 12 of that year, new seating had been installed, adding a much-needed comfort to the green surrounds.
However, 1962 was not only about physical improvements. A proposal was made to hire a Secretary Manager, which was hotly debated but ultimately defeated. At the same time, it was agreed that the Greenkeeper would receive “30 pounds per week in gross wages, ensuring the greens continued to be well-maintained.”
Leadership and Legacy: A New Era Begins
The end of 1962 also marked the official opening of No.2 Green by Mr. Bill Kay, President of the Royal New South Wales Bowling Association. Club President John Kavanagh, a respected figure, oversaw this milestone moment. Around this time, foundation member Jim Oliver was elected Club President, marking the beginning of a long and impactful leadership journey.
The club’s future continued to brighten, with the planned introduction of men’s twilight bowling on the horizon. On November 15, 1962, the Women’s Bowling Club was also officially launched. The Women’s Bowling Club President Millicent Corry hosted the New South Wales Women’s Bowling Association representative, Mrs. Barker, for the opening ceremony, with 24 clubs accepting invitations to this historic day. This event set the stage for many successful women’s competitions and solidified the importance of women’s participation in the club’s growth.
Millicent Corry was more than just a Club President. A remarkable figure in Engadine’s community, she had lived in the area since the 1920s and was known for her contributions to various local groups. Among her many accomplishments were starting Engadine’s first Boy Scout Troop, serving as President of the Senior Citizens Group, and working with the Australian Red Cross and the Crippled Children’s Association. She was awarded the Premier’s Senior Citizens Award in 1983 for her dedication to the community.
Achievements and Challenges: The Club Grows
By 1963, the Women’s Bowling Club, under the leadership of Mavis Jeffrey, was already organising significant events like Friendship Day, which saw a record 107 participants—an outstanding achievement at the time. The club was also making necessary improvements to its infrastructure, including the installation of a 1000-gallon pump-out septic tank and the ordering of four honour boards to preserve the club’s history for future generations.
Rita Melrose, Myrtle Harris, and Louise Copp cemented their place in Engadine’s history by winning their second consecutive Club Triples Championship. This talented trio dominated the competition, claiming the triples title a remarkable nine times, with seven of those victories coming in consecutive years. Another notable position from the club’s past, is that of the Badge Custodian. R. Morrison held this role, overseeing a collection that stood at 700 badges. Badge collections were often curated into colourful displays that adorned the clubhouse, a craft that is seldom seen today.
In the club’s records, we also find the name of Ron Avis, who contributed an impressive 44 years of voluntary service to Lawn Bowls. Ron began his bowling journey with Engadine in 1963, serving on the Club Committee from 1964 to 1966, before transferring to NSW RSL (Waratah, Sutherland) Club. He returned to Engadine in 1990 and held several key positions. His contributions included serving on the Port Hacking District Match Committee and as its Chairman and becoming Vice President of the Port Hacking District. When the Port Hacking and St. George Districts merged to form Zone 13 in 2003, Ron continued his leadership roles at Engadine, including Vice President of the Men’s Bowling Club and Chairman of Match. He also served on the Board of Directors for 14 years. Ron devoted more time working for bowls than playing the game, leaving an enduring legacy at the club.
Meanwhile, Patron Frank Johnstone initiated the installation of overhead greens lighting, a unique addition that allowed night bowling—an innovation not commonly seen in metropolitan areas.
Financial Ups and Downs: Facing New Realities
It wasn’t all smooth sailing though. Despite these successes, the club faced financial challenges in 1963. A downturn in gross profits caused concern, as increased license fees and taxes impacted not just the Engadine Bowling Club but the entire club industry. This financial pressure also limited the club’s capacity to support local community groups. Yet, despite these hurdles, the Men’s Bowling Club managed to enter two teams in the Port Hacking District Pennant Competition, while the Women’s Bowling Club achieved an impressive result in their own Pennant Competition, with the 1’s winning their section and the 2’s finishing as runners-up.
One bright spot in the financial arena was the introduction of debentures, offering club members the opportunity to invest directly in the club’s future in exchange for moderate interest returns. Additionally, Millers Brewery provided the necessary start-up finance, which was eventually repaid by 1969, making Engadine Bowling Club a freehold property—one of the most significant milestones in its 50-year journey.
New Lights for Night Bowls
The arrival of 1965 saw the introduction of night bowls, with Port Hacking Group Chairman Syd Russell officiating the “Switching On” ceremony on January 28. This event marked another significant milestone in the club’s development, with a further boost in profits for the year and growing membership. The Committee Report of March 31 showed the profit for the previous nine months “exceeded 2 thousand pounds” – due to very steady trading and great patronage.
As the decade progressed, notable figures such as Mavis Jeffrey and Greenkeeper Tom Pittman played essential roles in leading the club through substantial change. Mavis, in particular, had a strong commitment to the Women’s Bowling Club, leading the group with great enthusiasm. The social event of the year was the Annual Ball, held at Heathcote RSL Club building. This function created great excitement for members and pleased the Social Committee with its success. Great attendance and catering, enjoyable dance band and generous prizes resulted in this event being marked as an event to continue in future.
Meanwhile, Tom’s tireless work as Greenkeeper earned him the admiration and gratitude of the club members, particularly for his application and quality of work. General appraisal of the first decade of Engadine Bowling and Recreation Club’s history indicated that enormous progress had been accomplished.
Moving with the times: Decimal currency introduced
Times were changing as per the company records “Notice is hereby given a motion will be presented February 10, 1966 to revise the Constitution so that all amounts of money shown as pounds, shillings and pence, to be altered to decimal currency”.
Confirming the trend from the previous year, the Club continued to grow steadily. Consideration was even given to building a new and larger clubhouse. An amendment to the Liquor Act allowed “turkeys and chickens to be given out as prizes, provided they were not advertised as such.”
The recently installed overhead green lighting was considered a huge bonus to lawn bowling. Twilight and evening bowls was very quickly gaining in popularity.
In 1969, Engadine entered its first Metropolitan Pennants competition with two teams in the No.5 and No.7 grades. Morrie Ting, a dedicated club member, was part of that No.7 team. Remarkably, Morrie would be part of another No.7 Pennant-winning side in 1991. Throughout his membership, Morrie continued to bowl with skill and dedication, regularly representing the club in pennants. His service to the club has extended beyond the green, including roles as Treasurer, Auditor for the Women’s Bowling Club, and other contributions that have enriched Engadine’s legacy.
George Smith, who was actively involved in the club’s early years, was elected as the President of Engadine Bowling and Recreation Club, marking the close of its first decade. During this time, Engadine saw the opening of the Engadine Branch Library on Station Street, which became a valuable resource for the local community.
The club continued to grow, and it was decided to enter two teams in the Metropolitan Pennant Season, with one in Grade 3 and the other in Grade 6. The club’s growth is reflected in the records—Engadine’s 10th Annual Report in 1969 consisted of 16 pages and documented 313 financial members.
Building a Legacy: The Close of the First Decade
The first decade of Engadine Bowling Club was undoubtedly filled with remarkable progress, exciting challenges, and the tireless efforts of dedicated members. The club had not only expanded its physical space but also its membership and community influence. Leadership, whether through elected positions or active members like Allan Williams, who served as Club Auditor, ensured the financial stability and long-term success of the club.
By 1969, the Club also became a freehold property, marking another significant milestone. No.2 Green needed complete renovation. Merrett and Wells submitted a tender for $2000, which was accepted.
As Engadine approached the close of the 1960s, it had entered the Metropolitan Pennants competition for the first time and continued growing steadily. With the purchase of land adjacent to No.2 Green and careful financial planning, the club was ready for its next development phase. The 1960s had laid the foundation for what was to come—a thriving club with a legacy of community involvement, sportsmanship, and forward-thinking leadership.
Stay tuned as we explore the next chapter of the Engadine Bowling and Recreation Club’s storied history, as the club continues to grow, innovate, and serve its members and the broader Engadine community.
