FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The Bowlo, located in the picturesque town of Bangalow, Northern NSW, has a rich history dating back several decades. Our story is one of community spirit and camaraderie that started with an enthusiastic group of locals and a shared love for the sport of lawn bowls.

For 1 pound a year, a corner of the schoolground was leased and the first green was laid by 15 volunteers for 65 pounds. The clubhouse with a tin roof and hessian sides was erected for 24 pounds, and the greenkeeper was paid the princely sum of 1 pound per week.

The outbreak of World War I and World War II brought challenges to the club, as many members enlisted in the military. However, dedicated staff and volunteers kept the Bowlo open and serving locals through both wars. After the war, fathers of returned servicemen were invited to bring their sons along for a bowls day. After WWII this event proved so popular that a second day was created so that both Old Diggers Day and Young Diggers Day were celebrated. As the WW1 diggers passed, it reverted to a single Diggers Day which is still celebrated today.

By 1964 the club had outgrown the school grounds and moved to its current location, starting with two greens and a clubhouse with a bar.

In the early 70s, Roy Hulbert, the Bowlo’s greenkeeper, was instrumental in the introduction of Tifdwarf grass to bowling green surfaces when he assisted the Byron Bowling Club’s greenkeeper in replacing the bent grass. Tifdwarf grass revolutionized the playing surfaces of bowls and golf greens in the tropical half of Australia.

As the decades passed, the Bangalow Bowling Club became an essential part of the community’s social fabric. Residents and visitors alike flocked to the club for a friendly game of bowls or to attend social events and fundraisers. It was during this time that the club’s reputation for hospitality and inclusiveness flourished.

Throughout the 1970s, the club hosted numerous tournaments, fostering healthy rivalries with other clubs while strengthening its own sense of camaraderie. The Bangalow Bowling Club gained recognition for its talented bowlers and friendly atmosphere, drawing more members and supporters from all walks of life.

Today, the men’s and women’s Bangalow Bowling Club members compete in the Far North Coast Zone One and Tweed Byron Women’s Bowls leagues respectively and warmly welcome new members, regardless of skill or experience.