About Bongaree Bowls Club
Situated in the heart of Bribie Island, Bongaree Bowls Club boasts a beautiful setting at 54 Toorbul St, Bongaree, Bribie Island. Our lush greens ensure perfect playing conditions all year round, with one green thoughtfully shaded for those sunny days. Whether you're a seasoned bowler or just curious to give it a try, our friendly atmosphere welcomes everyone to join the fun.
Bongaree Bowls Club is a medium sized club with over 100 female bowlers and 200 male bowlers. Our club hosts Brekky Bowls on the first Sunday of each month and Veterans Day on the second Monday of each month. All social events and competitions are open to both men and women.
Our Club History
1949 – A New Club is Born
Dissatisfied with the Brisbane-based control of the Bribie Island Bowls Club, local bowlers decided to form their own club. Founding member Fred Kling recalled the difficulty of attending meetings held in Brisbane, requiring either a multi-day boat trip or a rough drive on sand tracks. In response, a meeting of 40 bowlers led to the creation of Bongaree Bowls Club, with Arthur Winston as President, Walter James as Secretary, and Fred Kling overseeing greens and development.
1950 – Building from the Ground Up
Determined to create a true community-run club, members selected a site on Toorbul Street, which stretched to the beach but contained swampy land and a creek. Clearing the area was a major challenge, with members using horses from Winston’s dairy to haul logs and manually carting sand from a nearby dune. To fund the project, the club issued ten-pound debentures and secured a bank overdraft guaranteed by local business members.
1952 – The First Green is Ready
After years of hard work, the first bowling green was completed. The surface was carefully prepared using blue couch grass, which was meticulously planted and watered. A modest clubhouse was also built, providing a space for members to gather. By the end of September 1952, the first games of bowls were played on the new green.
1953 – Official Club Opening
On July 25, 1953, Bongaree Bowls Club was officially opened in a grand ceremony attended by Vice President of the Queensland Bowling Association, Mr. W. Raymond, and representatives from ten visiting clubs. The first kitty was rolled by Mrs. M. Winston, President of the Ladies’ Bowling Club, followed by the inaugural bowl from Mr. Raymond, marking the beginning of a new era for lawn bowls on Bribie Island.
2015 – Encouraging New Bowlers
To attract new members and keep the sport thriving, the club partnered with U3A (University of the Third Age) to offer a six-week beginner program four times a year. This initiative has been a great success, helping to introduce many new players to the game and boosting club membership to over 300.
Looking to the Future
With 75 years of history and a strong community spirit, Bongaree Bowls Club continues to grow, welcoming new members and celebrating the love of lawn bowls. Here’s to many more years of success!