President of the Queanbeyan Women’s Bowling Club, Margaret Davies (centre), with Nichole and Tim Overall and their sons, left, Alex, 15, and Nick, 16. Photo by Holly Treadaway
The club is currently in voluntary administration and it’s hoped the Celebrity Family Day on December 21 will help raise much-needed funds.
Margaret Davies, president of the Queanbeyan Women’s Bowling Club, says they have had some amazing donations from local businesses, and that local pubs and clubs are putting in teams for the day.
“This year, we are the charity,” she says. “Because of what we’ve done in the past to support the community, we hope this time the community will help us.”
The Women’s Bowling Club is now including the men from the main club at their greens across the road in Farrer Place, making them a mixed club for the first time in 75 years, says Margaret.
“The men are here and we’re working as a team now, which is great,” she says. “We’ve made them feel welcome but it’s been a big step for them.”
Margaret says many clubs across NSW are feeling the pinch, with people more likely to go to the pub for a smoke and a drink and to play the pokies, without having to join a club, make a commitment and put in the volunteer hours.
“People just aren’t committing to clubs the way they used to,” she says.
“It’s a change in the way communities operate; I know my dad would be out all weekend playing bowls, but the women are saying no to that now.
“The club is very much a social entity; as well as playing bowls it’s a meeting place to chat, play cards, have a cup of tea or a beer, and enjoy other people’s company. It’s so important, particularly for people who are perhaps past playing, to have the clubhouse to come to, otherwise they would be stuck at home.
“We want to keep our small section operating and vibrant, and keep bowls as an important part of the town’s facilities, so we can support the community further into the future.”
The Celebrity Family Day will include prizes for the best-dressed team, a shootout and other bowling activities and games, as well as raffles, auctions, a chocolate wheel, cookbooks for sale and a barbecue lunch.
Local celebrities on the day will include Bill Motherway from 106.7 FM, Queanbeyan’s mayor Tim Overall, author and journalist Nichole Overall, Queanbeyan High principal John Clark, Maj-Gen (rtd) Jim Molan, local artist Graham Charlton, golfer Julie Blundell, squash player Heather McKay, footballer Terry Campese, member for Monaro John Barilaro, president of ACT Bowls Kevin Antoine, SE Area Bowls Development Officer Andrew Howie, Aussie lawn bowls champion Kelsey Cotterall and champion junior lawn bowler Trent Britton.
The club has just sold the house it owns to a developer who is planning townhouses, but its own future is yet to be decided, says Margaret.
“The club’s first AGM since the two clubs joined will be in late February, and hopefully by then the administrators will give us a way forward,” she says.
Margaret says she’s passionate about bowls, and about keeping sport for all ages local.
“I love everything about it; the physical and mental challenge, the social side within Queanbeyan and the wider bowling community,” she says. “It would be very much a backward step to lose a sport such as bowls here in Queanbeyan.
“As president, I want us to get over this and move out the other side with the new set up, although it will be different.
“We haven’t lost one female member through this; they have all stuck with me. That makes me want to fight for our club.”
The Celebrity Family Day, $25 per person (kids free), December 21 from 10am at the Queanbeyan Bowling Club, Campbell Street, Queanbeyan.
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