Morphett Vale Memorial Bowling Club
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Who We Are
Established about 1935 the Morphett Vale Bowling Club has a long standing presence in the southern area. We are an inclusive club and everyone is welcome to come and join us. The club has three grass greens and caters for bowlers of all skill levels. During summer we have men's pennants on Wednesdays, women's pennants on Thursday and open gender on Saturday. During summer we also run night bowls on Tuesday and Wednesday nights for those interested in a fun night out, or just to keep in practice. We also run social bowls on Friday during the pennant season and in winter social bowls is on Wednesdays and Saturdays. We have wheelchair access, disability toilets and ample parking. The club seats 100, has full bar and kitchen facilities and is available for hire. Whether you're new to the sport, an experienced bowler looking for a change, or just interested in a social game, we welcome all.
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On April 26th 1933, 15 local men met at the local institute to propose forming a lawn bowling club in the area. A chairman, Mr J.M.Chambers was elected to conduct the meeting, and Mr G.I. Hercock was elected to record the minutes. After a lengthy discussion pointing out the advantages of having a bowling club in the district, it was put to a vote, and it was unanimously agreed to go ahead and form a club.
A committee was duly elected consisting of:
Chairman, Mr J.M. Chambers, Secretary, Mr G.I. Hercock, Committee, Mr E.E. Hunt, Mr A.S. Collins, Mr Trebilcock
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The name of the club was to be “The Morphett Vale Memorial Bowling Club”, and it was proposed that a lease be obtained from the Morphett Vale Memorial Recreation Ground Committee for an area in the North Western corner of the recreation ground, bounded by Wheatsheaf and Main South Roads. A membership fee of 2 Shillings (20 cents) was set.
The first Annual General Meeting of the club was held on July 14th 1933, with the original officials being re-elected. The annual membership fee of 1 Guinea ($2.10) was set. A constitution and regulations were drawn up, the original of which is still with the club. Plans for a club-house were submitted, but held in abeyance until later. Mr Chambers and Mr Collins volunteered to have the area surveyed, ploughed up, and levelled, after which it was planted in Goolwa couch grass by working bees. The new bowling green was opened on March 3rd 1934, and as there still was no clubhouse, afternoon tea and drinks were taken under a brush fence and pine tree arbour,on the site of our present old club-house.
In June 1934 it was voted to affiliate with the Royal South Australian Bowling Association providing the fees did not exceed 2 Guineas ($4.20).
​​At a meeting at the Emu Hotel on September 21st 1934,it was proposed to contact and invite 2 delegates from Yankalilla, Clarendon, and Willunga to a meeting on October 5th 1934, to discuss forming an association. According to minutes this did not eventuate until 1947.
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Lighting was installed for night-bowls in late 1934.
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The original clubhouse was built in 1948. It was extended when the second green was established in the late 1960s. The third green and the new clubhouse were opened in 1984.
The Ladies formed a club in 1954.
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A piece of trivia:-
Opening day supplies for 1935 proposed 1×5 gallon keg of beer (27 litres), and 6 bottles of ale to be purchased from the Emu, and 6 bottles of lemonade from the local store. Any surplus to be returned. Mr Bice considered liquor on the premises to be an insult to the ladies preparing afternoon tea. A vote however over-ruled this and it was decided to have liquor.
