Half a century of friendly competition and fun were celebrated on the RSM bowling green this month.
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Despite a dwindling membership of around seven active players, the RSM Women’s Bowling Club were determined to make the most of their 50th anniversary on Wednesday, May 17.
“We wanted to hold our 50th regardless of how many players we had,” club president Helen Anstee said.
“It’s something that a lot of clubs don’t get to.”
Anstee has been a part of the club for 23 years, but said her long service paled in comparison to foundation members Gloria Gaukroger and Jean Crowther, both having joined in the club’s early days in 1967.
Players from Croppa Creek, Goondiwindi and Bingara came along to celebrate the milestone.
“We’re all pleased that everything went so well. The day was perfect – you couldn’t ask for a better day,” Anstee said.
While slowed down by health concerns, Anstee was proud of her club, and was keen to see it grow once again. She invited locals to consider joining, and hoped to see the women compete in pennants competitions once again.
She said she loved how relaxing the sport could be, and that the camaraderie was a particular delight.
“We meet so many different people when we travel,” Anstee said. The group travels out to Croppa Creek, Bingara, Guyra and even Uralla for games.
A brief history of the club
- August 2, 1966: The first committee meeting is held. Members include chair person D Coote, secretary B Moore, D Quetcher, E Burtenshaw and S Smith.
- February 13, 1967: The club constitution is accepted by the RSM.
- March 6, 1967: The first general meeting is held and 25 women become foundation members, including current member Gloria Gaukroger. A new committee is elected including the club’s first president. Members include president E Hargraves, vice president M Harris, secretary D Coote, treasurer B Moore and secretary D Quetcher.
- July 24, 1967: The first annual meeting is held and L Stevens, E Edwards, E Burtenshaw, L Seadon and N Cooper are added to the committee.
- July 26, 1967: The club is affiliated.
- September 4, 1968: The official opening is finally held. Teams from Ashford, Guyra, Glen Innes, Delungra, Bingara, Warialda, Moree, Gwydir and Inverell East come along.
- 1977: RSM Club Ltd extends their liquor licence to include the Bowling Club.
- 1983, 1991: Inverell suffers major flooding, but the bowling green is spared serious damage. It is playable in a matter of days.
- 1993-1994: The club wins the number five district pennants two years in a row.
- 2005: A synthetic green is installed.
- Early 2011: The club house is renovated to include a new kitchen, refurbished bar and lounge area in a joint venture between the Inverell RSL Sub Branch, Inverell RSM Club and RSM Bowling Club.
- November 12, 2011: The new building is officially opened by NSW RSL Sub Branch president Mr D Rowe, Inverell RSL Sub Branch president Mr P Morris, Inverell RSM Club president Mr J Ross, RSM WBC president Mrs J Harrison and RSM MBC president Mr T Colley.
- 2016: The synthetic green is replaced.
- May 17, 2017: RSM Women’s bowling club celebrates its 50th anniversary.