History of the Vaucluse Bowling Club
The area above titled Government Land, today comprises the Vaucluse Bowling Club and Samuel Park. From '1913 Vaucluse villa sites 11th subdivision pictureque views',
State Library of NSW Mitchell Map Collection M2 811.1813/1913/1
A committee meeting of the Vaucluse Progress Association in 1938, decided to investigate the establishment of a bowling club in Vaucluse, and unsuccessfully sought a lease of land in the grounds of Vaucluse House.
The club, subsequently, was given a lease of a portion of Samuel Park, which had been withheld from sale in 1930 for the purpose of public recreation.
On January 12, 1939, a preliminary meeting at the Red Lantern Café was attended by 30 residents, who unanimously resolved that the Vaucluse Bowling Club be formed.
The greens and clubhouse were built with support from Vaucluse Council, a club debenture issue and generous donations by individuals.
The club’s first general meeting was held on October 8, 1939, only a few weeks before World War II, when it was recorded, “We have a most beautiful site overlooking the harbour”.
On August 24, 1940, the Club had a gala opening.
In November 1940 Vaucluse entered in Pennants for the first time, taking out number three and number four competitions. Also in November, the Vaucluse Ladies Bowling Club was formed and together with the Men’s Club, became members of the Vaucluse Bowling Club Ltd.
During the war years, the clubhouse was made available, rent free, to the National Emergency Service and the Vaucluse Branch of the Australian Red Cross. Many a parcel was wrapped for overseas and many a dance was held to raise funds for the Australian forces.
Vaucluse Council merged with Woollahra Council in 1948. As a result, the Club developed a working relationship with Woollahra Council.
In December 2022, despite consistent attempts to secure a renewal of our lease, we were unsuccessful and so after 82 years we have had to vacate the Clubhouse. Woollahra Council was taken over the management of the land and taken possession of the Clubhouse. The Vaucluse Bowling Club has been permitted to use the old Caretakers Cottage adjoining the Clubhouse for our use. Of the two bowling greens, one has been decommissioned by Council, leaving the Bowling Club with one green.
References
Vaucluse Bowling Club, 5 February 1968, Nord Hartley
Bowls in New South Wales, March 1968 p.24-25
A history of Vaucluse Bowling Club Ltd, 28 August 2010, Ross Leabeater
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VAUCLUSE WOMEN’S BOWLING CLUB
In 1939 the Vaucluse Bowling Club built their clubhouse and two bowling greens on a site on New South Head Road, Vaucluse, commanding a magnificent view of Sydney Harbour.
In the following year on 4th September, 1940, ten ladies attended the inaugural meeting of the Vaucluse Ladies (subsequently changed to Women's) Bowling Club. Among those present were Mesdames A. Etheridge (Foundation Pres), V. MacRae and Mrs. Healey (Vice-Presidents), R.E. Buchan (Hon. Secretary), M. Garrett (Hon. Treasurer), A. Brass, D. Millist, M. Jefferson and J, Dudley. Mrs. Ann Etheridge formerly of Leichhardt Women’s Bowling Club retained the Presidency during the first eleven years of the club's activities.
Members commenced playing on 10th September 1940 on allotted 4 rinks - Tuesday and Friday each week. The initial Annual Subscription was two guineas for a full member and one guinea for associates with a daily playing fee of one shilling.
Affiliation with the NSW Women's Bowling Association was granted on 25th September, 1940, and on Tuesday, 26th November, 1940, at a Gala Day the late Mrs. Wolinski, State President, officially declared the club open. She was accompanied by many official guests including the State Patron, the late Mrs. Wall. On the following Saturday evening a ball celebrating the Official Opening was held in the club room and members of the men's bowling club joined the ladies on this happy occasion.
It is interesting to record that membership in the first year increased to twenty one full members and nine associates.
The first Patron of the Club (1941-59) was the late Mrs. Samuels, whose late husband was at one time Mayor of Woollahra Municipal Council. The late Mrs. J. Dudley (1960-67) followed. Mrs. Margaret Jefferson, our present patron, has held that office since 1968. Mrs. Jefferson won the first singles club championship and has retained her keen interest in the club's activities since its inception.
During the years of World War 2 members were very active in fund raising activities by holding many gala days, card evenings, fetes and picnics supporting headquarters and the Australian Comforts Fund.
As part of the Woollahra Municipality Centenary Celebrations in 1960 a bowling carnival was held with Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill and Vaucluse Women’s Clubs participating, The host club, Vaucluse, won the competition and the beautiful silver tea service and tray inscribed with the Council's official crest was presented to the club and is still in use on special occasions
(Secretary's report attached).
In the following year, 1961, the three clubs together with Dover Heights Women’s Bowling Club decided to commence playing for a Silver Bowl to be known as “Inter-club Friendship Trophy”. This is an annual event played at each club in turn, each side comprising six teams of four players. Whilst the competition is keenly contested an atmosphere of hospitality and friendship prevails. Vaucluse was successful in winning the bowl in 1969, 1970 and 1971, but have not met with any success since. Rose Bay are the present holders.
Until the third green was constructed in 1963 membership of the Women’s Club was restricted to 40. This additional green has made possible a gradual increase over the years so that our present membership has reached approx.120.
On the 14th September, 1965, the club celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Gala Day at which many official guests attended including a team from Headquarters. Souvenir programmes and silver spoons with the club badge were presented to members and visitors as mementos of this important event.
Over the years the honour of Life Membership has been conferred on only four members - the late Mrs. Molly Garrett, the late Mrs. J. Dudley, Mrs. V. MacRae and Mrs. Marie Hobart (still a playing member of the Club).
The colours of the club are officially Royal Blue and Gold.
The badge of the club was designed from an outstanding district landmark - Macquarie Lighthouse, situated on Old South Head Road, Watsons Bay (Lighthouse history attached).
Extensive alterations were made, in 1974, to the Clubhouse. More accommodation became available in the Women's Locker Room, and a new "View" room provided an enlarged view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounds.
During our early years the following were some of the outstanding achievements by members:-
1945-6 Won "A" Pennants.
1947 Metropolitan Singles - Mrs. M. Garrett.
1947 Metropolitan Pairs - Mesdames. Garrett & Morrison.
1947 State Pairs - Runners up: Mesdames Morrison & Hyslop.
1948 "Victory" State Fours in 11A" Pennants.
1949 State Pairs - Runners up: Mesdames Morrison & Macrae.
1949 State Champion - Mrs. Morrison.
1950 State Pairs - Mesdames Etheridge & Morgan.
1952 Metropolitan Pairs - Runners up: Mesdames Hyslop & Morrison.
1952-3 Metropolitan "B" Pennant - Winner.
1954 State Pairs - Mesdames Morrison & Morgan.
1954 Mrs. Morrison chosen to play in N.S.W. Test Team.
1954 Metropolitan v Country Week Carnival - winners.
1954 James Wall Shield - winner.
1959 Wolinski Shield - runner up.
In 1963 the "Molly Garrett" Pairs Championship trophy was established in memory of foundation member, Mrs. Molly Garrett.
Our President’s Chair was purchased in 1968 in memory of foundation member, Mrs. Jess Dudley.
Undated document found in clubhouse files. Created sometime after 1971.
In 2011 The Vaucluse Women’s Bowling Club officially wound up.
In 1939 the Vaucluse Bowling Club built their clubhouse and two bowling greens on a site on New South Head Road, Vaucluse, commanding a magnificent view of Sydney Harbour.
In the following year on 4th September, 1940, ten ladies attended the inaugural meeting of the Vaucluse Ladies (subsequently changed to Women's) Bowling Club. Among those present were Mesdames A. Etheridge (Foundation Pres), V. MacRae and Mrs. Healey (Vice-Presidents), R.E. Buchan (Hon. Secretary), M. Garrett (Hon. Treasurer), A. Brass, D. Millist, M. Jefferson and J, Dudley. Mrs. Ann Etheridge formerly of Leichhardt Women’s Bowling Club retained the Presidency during the first eleven years of the club's activities.
Members commenced playing on 10th September 1940 on allotted 4 rinks - Tuesday and Friday each week. The initial Annual Subscription was two guineas for a full member and one guinea for associates with a daily playing fee of one shilling.
Affiliation with the NSW Women's Bowling Association was granted on 25th September, 1940, and on Tuesday, 26th November, 1940, at a Gala Day the late Mrs. Wolinski, State President, officially declared the club open. She was accompanied by many official guests including the State Patron, the late Mrs. Wall. On the following Saturday evening a ball celebrating the Official Opening was held in the club room and members of the men's bowling club joined the ladies on this happy occasion.
It is interesting to record that membership in the first year increased to twenty one full members and nine associates.
The first Patron of the Club (1941-59) was the late Mrs. Samuels, whose late husband was at one time Mayor of Woollahra Municipal Council. The late Mrs. J. Dudley (1960-67) followed. Mrs. Margaret Jefferson, our present patron, has held that office since 1968. Mrs. Jefferson won the first singles club championship and has retained her keen interest in the club's activities since its inception.
During the years of World War 2 members were very active in fund raising activities by holding many gala days, card evenings, fetes and picnics supporting headquarters and the Australian Comforts Fund.
As part of the Woollahra Municipality Centenary Celebrations in 1960 a bowling carnival was held with Rose Bay, Bellevue Hill and Vaucluse Women’s Clubs participating, The host club, Vaucluse, won the competition and the beautiful silver tea service and tray inscribed with the Council's official crest was presented to the club and is still in use on special occasions
(Secretary's report attached).
In the following year, 1961, the three clubs together with Dover Heights Women’s Bowling Club decided to commence playing for a Silver Bowl to be known as “Inter-club Friendship Trophy”. This is an annual event played at each club in turn, each side comprising six teams of four players. Whilst the competition is keenly contested an atmosphere of hospitality and friendship prevails. Vaucluse was successful in winning the bowl in 1969, 1970 and 1971, but have not met with any success since. Rose Bay are the present holders.
Until the third green was constructed in 1963 membership of the Women’s Club was restricted to 40. This additional green has made possible a gradual increase over the years so that our present membership has reached approx.120.
On the 14th September, 1965, the club celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Gala Day at which many official guests attended including a team from Headquarters. Souvenir programmes and silver spoons with the club badge were presented to members and visitors as mementos of this important event.
Over the years the honour of Life Membership has been conferred on only four members - the late Mrs. Molly Garrett, the late Mrs. J. Dudley, Mrs. V. MacRae and Mrs. Marie Hobart (still a playing member of the Club).
The colours of the club are officially Royal Blue and Gold.
The badge of the club was designed from an outstanding district landmark - Macquarie Lighthouse, situated on Old South Head Road, Watsons Bay (Lighthouse history attached).
Extensive alterations were made, in 1974, to the Clubhouse. More accommodation became available in the Women's Locker Room, and a new "View" room provided an enlarged view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and surrounds.
During our early years the following were some of the outstanding achievements by members:-
1945-6 Won "A" Pennants.
1947 Metropolitan Singles - Mrs. M. Garrett.
1947 Metropolitan Pairs - Mesdames. Garrett & Morrison.
1947 State Pairs - Runners up: Mesdames Morrison & Hyslop.
1948 "Victory" State Fours in 11A" Pennants.
1949 State Pairs - Runners up: Mesdames Morrison & Macrae.
1949 State Champion - Mrs. Morrison.
1950 State Pairs - Mesdames Etheridge & Morgan.
1952 Metropolitan Pairs - Runners up: Mesdames Hyslop & Morrison.
1952-3 Metropolitan "B" Pennant - Winner.
1954 State Pairs - Mesdames Morrison & Morgan.
1954 Mrs. Morrison chosen to play in N.S.W. Test Team.
1954 Metropolitan v Country Week Carnival - winners.
1954 James Wall Shield - winner.
1959 Wolinski Shield - runner up.
In 1963 the "Molly Garrett" Pairs Championship trophy was established in memory of foundation member, Mrs. Molly Garrett.
Our President’s Chair was purchased in 1968 in memory of foundation member, Mrs. Jess Dudley.
Undated document found in clubhouse files. Created sometime after 1971.
In 2011 The Vaucluse Women’s Bowling Club officially wound up.