By Jesse Graham
HEALESVILLE BOWLS
PAST and present members of Healesville’s Bowls Club gathered last month to mark a milestone 125 years for the club, with special guests coming to celebrate the day.
Visitors packed the rooms of the Healesville Bowling Club on Sunday, 25 September, to celebrate the club’s 125th birthday.
The club’s 125th Steering Committee member, Faye Mays, said that Bowls Victoria president John Fisher presented a plaque to the club, and badges were presented to Veterans and Super Veterans, people who had turned 70 and 80, respectively.
She said president, Adrian Beales, presented an “extensive” history of the club during his speech.
“It blew my mind away, to be quite honest,” she said.
“It was just amazing, some of the things that he was able to bring to the fore that happened years ago.”
Mr Beales said that on 7 June, 1981, 13 men attended a meeting at Daly’s Hall, where the Healesville Jeweller stands today, to discuss the formation of a club, and by the 27 June, 22 members had signed up to the newly formed club.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish and Yarra Ranges Councillor Fiona McAllister were present at the event, and Ms Mays said that special bottles of wine and cloths were made for the event.
“The day went very well,” she said.
“It was very hectic to start with, (but) I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It was a lovely day and everyone went home with smiles and very happy.”
She said that people travelled from as far as Queensland to celebrate the birthday, and Eastern Ranges Bowls President Ray McDonald used the occasion to declare the 2016/’17 bowls season open.
