About Bullsbrook Bowling Club

The Bullsbrook Bowling Club was first formed on the 25^th May, 1984.

 Subsequent Foundation Membership rose to 165 before acceptances were closed on the 29^th July 1984.  With 165 members and $1,650.00 in the bank, we had ample evidence for the Swan Shire we had district support for a bowling club in Bullsbrook.  Countless meetings with the Shire followed and although in principal support was given with the allocation of  land at Pickett Park for bowling greens, financial support or ground works support were rejected.  The rationale was that the Shire could not be seen to be using public funds to assist a private club.  A self-supporting loan was arranged with 30 nominated members acting as guarantor to repay the loan over seven years with a   14.50% interest rate.  Twelve months of planning followed.

 Meanwhile, the members concentrated on fundraising.  Twice yearly Trash & Treasures on Pickett Park were notable events, along with Spring Picnics and Races and barbecues on Eric Taylor’s air strip.  Dances were held at the Lower Chittering and Pickett Park Halls, Quiz Nights at the Chequers Hotel, Bingo Nights, fruit sales at the Midland Markets and carting of hay as well as the regular cake stalls and raffles. 

 The main fund raiser came from the oval mowing contract arranged through the PPMC for the Shire.

A Westwood Ride-On Mower was purchased which caught the grass and tipped it into windrows which were then carted away taking about ten hours to complete.  Later, the club used a tractor and a slasher which did the work in one third of the time.  We were paid an average of $4,500.00 per year to mow the oval on a fortnightly basis.  It was this income which gave us the confidence to proceed with the loan.

 Eventually in the spring of 1985, with all approvals in place and with the help of a government grant of $10,300.00, the $15,000.00 loan facility, a $500.00 establishment grant and the generosity of 20 members who put up $100.00 each, plus the club’s own resources, we were able to commence work on the construction of the greens.

 The Shire grader drivers completed the initial base work as well as installing the slotted concrete pipes for the main drain which was charged at commercial rates against the Bowling Club Loan Account.  The largest single item of expense was the carting of 3,500 cubic metres of white sand delivered by Keith Oldfield at the very low rate of $1.50 per cubic metre.

 For the next two years, every Saturday morning was a Working Bee.  Initially lots of people came along but it soon became a regular cohort who turned up.  Two greens were planned in the first place but it was decided to continue with one, known as B Green.   A shed was purchased in 1986 and the green was planted with Santa Anna grass in 1987.  We affiliated with RWABA in 1987.

 Social bowls were played for the first two years as only three of the 30 or so members who turned up on a Sunday afternoon had previously played.  It was a learning experience for everyone.

 The club became incorporated in 1988 and on 20^th November, 1988 the official opening of B Green happened with our local member of State Parliament, Gavin Troy officiating with 150 members and guests gathering for the occasion.

 The tin shed purchased in 1986 for $2,770.00 served as club house, machinery shed and soil shed for nine years.  All social bowls, sponsored and championship events as well as pennant matches were conducted from the shed.  Eventually in late 1993, the Swan Shire called a meeting of all sporting bodies in Bullsbrook to discuss plans for a Sporting Club House Facility on Pickett Park. It was a dream come true as toilet facilities were woefully inadequate. 

 Site plans called for the moving of A Green by 20 metres to make room for the proposed building and the Shire undertook to do this at no cost to the bowling club.  The relocated A Green was then left at the same stage of development as it was before they moved it.

 The Bullsbrook and Community Sporting Association clubhouse was completed two years later and the 1995 – 1996 Pennant Season began from the new clubhouse.

 …..TO BE CONTINUED

Ladies Office Bearers

As The Bullsbrook Bowling Club continues to grow and evolve, we are constantly gathering historical information that tells the story of our club and the community we serve. Our commitment to preserving and sharing this history is an ongoing effort, and we are proud to offer a dynamic and ever-changing section dedicated to our past.

As we continue to receive new information and pictures of past office bearers, our historical section will continue to expand and enrich. This section will be a living tribute to the people, events, and milestones that have shaped The Bullsbrook Bowling Club into the club it is today.

Our team is dedicated to ensuring that this historical section is comprehensive, accurate, and engaging. We will work tirelessly to gather and verify historical information, and present it in a way that is visually stunning and easy to navigate. We want to create an immersive experience that allows visitors to travel back in time and explore the rich history of The Bullsbrook Bowling Club.

We are excited to share our historical section with our community, and we hope that it will serve as a source of inspiration and pride for all who have been a part of The Bullsbrook Bowling Club journey. Thank you for your support as we continue to expand and enhance this important aspect of our club.