1948-2006
Beginning in 1947, the North Mackay Bowls Club has come a long way from its original pavilion club house (the barracks from the Farleigh Sugar Mill).
With the purchase of the necessary club equipment and the liquor licence application under way, everything progressed with great enthusiasm towards the opening day, April 26th, 1948.
Our first president was the well known Mr. Henry Maplethorpe, a leading identity of Mackay, after whom the Maplethorpe Bridge was named.This bridge is but a few hundred metres from club precincts along the Goosewalk. The name given to the street, “The Goosewalk Parade”, fronting the main entrance to our building.
The Gooseponds are a natural part of the environment of the Club and are situated not more than a few metres behind our second undercover green.Some years back the Mackay City Council beautified the area changing it from a swamp appearance to picturesque surroundings, complete with bird life and the occasional crocodile. Several families of geese are often seen holding up the traffic on the Malcomson Street frontage, crossing the road with all the confidence and the acknowledgment of the Mackay residents. A little trademark of the Club, of which members are quite proud.
Construction of the green began, under the guidance of Mr. Maplethorpe with the help of City Bowls Club greenkeeper, P. Staunton, the consulting engineers, Pollock and Barton, and the voluntary labour. Its cost of two thousand pounds was a pricey sum in those days.
The annual subscription at the time was (1 guinea) or one pound one shilling, and two shillings for green fees. Today, annual subscriptions stand at $50.00 and $6.00 for green fees.
The initial membership was 97 men and 20 ladies. Today membership stands at 387, making the Club the largest bowling club in the Mackay area.
In 1965 the second green was opened by the then Minister for Mines, Mr. Ron Camm, himself a Proserpine bowler. Lights were also installed for Club Twilight Bowls.
In September, 1985, the new function room with the second re-established green was opened by former Walkerston resident, Mr. Vic Renton (the then immediate Past President of the R.Q.B.A.).
The closure of Walters Parade resulted in 2000 sq. metres becoming available for freehold and leasehold. This enabled more expansion, commencing in 1990. Twenty gaming machines were installed in March, 1992, along with the establishment of a Bistro, large bar and lounge. The function room “Amaroo” was also built to seat 400. The new extensions were opened on July 11, 1993 by Pioneer Shire Chairman, Gordon White.
Mr. Ray Cross became manager in 1992 and the Clubhouse was fully air conditioned in 1995. Three greens had by this time, become operational. Two with lights for the twilight bowls.
Next, the Management and Committee with Mr. Larry Jackson as chairman, embarked on a project of great significance to the bowling scene of Mackay, the construction of a covered green. The Club, under the management of Ray Cross, was in a very sound position financially. With the help of the Queensland Government’s Sporting grants committee, the groundwork was set in place for a submission by the Club for a Sporting Grant.
Construction of the first covered green was completed by October, 2001. The sitting Member for Mackay, Mr. Tim Mulherin was instrumental in acquiring the support of the Queensland Government, and the Minister for Sports and Recreation, Mr. Terrence Mackenroth opened the green on November 4th, 2001.
In light of the success of the covered green and with support of members, the Project Chairman, Larry Jackson and then President, Ian Goodwin, with Roly Dingle, John Deane, John Ryan, Glynn Cousen, proceeded on the next venture… to cover a second green.
With the debt having been paid off by careful management of club finances, the treasurer, John Deane with the help of the Club Committee, recorded significant profits in the lead up to negotiations for the construction of a roof for the second covered green.
Construction was given the go-ahead by the financiers and the building construction team of Fergus Builders completed the task towards the end of 2004. The newly constructed venue was opened by the Club Patron, Mr. Frank Deguara on November 27th, 2004.
The Club at this time had forty gaming machines, keno facilities and Bingo gaming events. An upgrade of the gaming room, new bowlers lounge, increased capacity of function rooms, acquisition of Plasma televisions for the lounge and renovations of the Club were carried out during 2005, and further major reconstruction work is envisaged shortly.