A Brief History of the Bowls Club

In June 1968 the committee of Valley View Golf Cub gave the go ahead for a bowling green. Ray Crow was active in preparing estimates. July 1968 saw the sowing of the new Bowling Green and plans for the alterations to the clubhouse (a former army hut) to conform with Licensing Court requirements for the Liquor Licence. Tremendous voluntary efforts by many members and their families saw tractors, trucks, wheelbarrows, shovels and hand weeding create the Bowling Green.

The 12th of April 1969 saw the official opening with Ray Crow – the Foundation President and Ernie Vaughan – Secretary. Mr Barry Chadwick, Vice President of the Royal Victorian Bowling Association, officially opened the green and Mrs Ray Crow rolled the first jack followed by Mr Chadwick putting down the first bowl.

Herb Prior was the first Valley View champion recorded in the Goulburn Valley Association. Lights were installed on the bowling green at the end of 1970.

1970-71         R. Crow - President; P. Perkins – Secretary; H. Prior – Champion

1971-72         A. Isaac - President; L. Johnson – Secretary; R. Crow - Champion

1972-73         A. Isaac - President; P. Perkins – Secretary; P. Perkins - Champion

In 1973/74 in the GVBA, there were two sections of men’s pennant played – A1 and B grade consisted of 16 players in A1, and 12 players in B grade. There were 8 sides in each grade.

Valley View Bowling Club’s notable events in GVBA

  • 1972, 73, 74  R. Crow Valley View was GVBA President.

  • 1972 – 73    Perc Perkins was Champion of Champions.

  • 1976-77         Valley View were A1 Pennant winners

  • 1977-78        Valley View were A1 Pennant winners

  • 1980-81       W. L. Johnson was Champion of Champions.

  • 1986, 87, 88 W. Brewster Valley View was GVBA President.

  • 1986             Valley View were A1 Pennant winners

  • 1987-88         Valley View were A1 Pennant winners

  • 1987-88         Gino Scapin was Champion of Champions. Ray Crow made a life member of GVBA

Valley View was a constituent club in GVBA in 1996 when the Association celebrated its 75th Anniversary. Representing Valley View at this occasion playing Men’s Fours were P. Brown, O. Schiksa, D. Branson, B. Elborough. Dinner guests were Kevin and Mary Myers, and George and Hazel Stone.

Other notable dates:

1985 the second Bowling Green was formed with huge amounts of voluntary hours by members and their families when the green was planted, it was necessary for willing helpers to get rid of weeds so the ladies rallied and got down on their knees to work beside the men for this cause. In 1993 when the top green was replanted they did it again. The club has benefited not only by voluntary labour by its members, but by very generous donations of cash, items within the clubhouse, pieces of equipment for use on the surrounds, even a large garden shed and professional expertise as well to name a few.

  • 1993 Night Bowls continued.

  • 1994 A bell from L. McAnulty had been donated by J. Pfeiffer t be placed for use on our other green. Kevin Myer was working on this.

  • 1994 A request for heavier new mats to replace the original canvas ones, because visitors complained of them shifting under their feet.

  • November 1995 Coloured discs were approved for pennant.

  • October 1995 the ladies were first invited to attend the men’s Monthly meetings to give a report to aid communication within the club. At this time also, the rabbits were damaging the greens and under the clubhouse, so an eradication program was undertaken.

  • April 1985 Fred C Johns Gold Watch Day – Geoff Squires presented the watches to the winners.

  • 1996 Divisions 3 and 6 were in the finals.

  • 23rd September 1996 it was moved by P. Gladman, seconded by R. Miles that Valley View move from the GVBA to Campaspe Valley Bowls Association at the start of the 1997-98 bowling season. One reason being, that the Valley View ladies were in the CVDLBA and it was more desirable and convenient if both were in the same association.

  • 1997 Valley View changed its name to Kyabram Valley View Bowls Club.

  • 7th December 1988 new lights on the top green were generously provided by local sponsors. These lights were officially switched on 9th March 1989.

  • 1989-94 Police and Citizens Bowls & Golf Days were held at Valley View.

  • Kyabram Free press printedf the annual syllabus.

  • 2009-10 Neil Beamish – Kyabram Valley View – President of CVBA.

Events such as:- Isaac Memorial Men’s Fours, Wally Shaw Memorial days, Eileen Jones Memorial Fours, Gwen and Bill Brewster Canadian pairs, Norm and Win Coulter Pairs. Illustrates the dedication and support given to Valley View by past and present members and families.

Along with support by local traders, since 26th February 2006, for Kyabram & District Trader’s Day, has greatly helped Valley View continue to provide a high standard recreational asset for the local community.

Life Members of Valley View Club – Kevin Wheeler, Norm Coulter, A. Isaac, A.S.Henry, Ray Crow, Bill Brewster. S. Muir-Smith, G Williams.

‘

Ladies

President of the Valley View Golf Associates, Ivy Buzza. Called a meeting to form an Associates Committee of Valley View Bowling Club on September 10th 1969. Those present were Mesdames Johnson, A. Vaughan, P. Crow, I. George, N, Howard, N. Bassett, M. Mc Kemmish, E. Thorson, Z. West, S. Elliot.’

Foundation President- Elsie Thorson, Vice President – Win Coulter, Secretary – Zena West and Treasurer – Neil Howard.

The President of the men’s Valley View Bowling Club, Mr. Ray Crow, outlined the procedure for forming associates for the club.

‘Mrs Mc Kemmish moved we affiliate with the Campaspe District ladies Bowling Association, seconded by Mrs. Johnson.’

  • ‘On 12th November 1969 the resignation of President Elsie Thorson was received with regret.’ Vera Eagle was nominated and accepted the position as President.

  • 18/6/1970 Win Coulter moved that there be no Pennant team this year, seconded Marj. Mc Kemmish.

  • 1971-72 Pennant began at Valley View.

  • 1973-74 Division 2 Pennant winners. Team included E. Crow, P. Petzke, J. Stokes, I. Buzza, W. Coulter, D. Trethowan, P. Crow, and E. Thorson.

  • 1978 P. Crow won Champions of Champions.

  • 1983 Division 1 was top of the ladder – V.V. 112, Rochester 103, Moama 102, and Lockington 101. Division 2 was fifth- Moama Blue 90, Moama Gold 88, Echuca 86, Tongala 83, and V.V. 58

  • 1987-88 Division 2 was runner- up to Echuca.

  • 1988-89 Division 1 was runner-up to Rochester.

  • 1989-90 Division 1 lost to Moama in the final.

  • 1990-91 Division 1 loss to Rochester in the final. Finished 2nd on the ladder.

  • 1993-94 Division 1 reached the final to be narrowly defeated by Rochester again!! Division 3 also beaten in the final.

  • 1994-95 Division 1 finished top of the ladder. Lost to Rochester at Echuca.

  • 1993-94Valley View bowling greens were used by the Victorian Country Carnival – 12 rinks. Catering by the ladies.

  • 25/3/94 25th Anniversary of the club with dinner and VLBA officials.

  • 2000 Valley View hosted 3 countries from World Bowls – Scotland, Brazil and Cook Is.

Catering for all events – men and ladies- is a major task for ladies in a small club. The massive voluntary contribution made by members to maintain facilities is incredible. 1989-90 Annual Report – J. Beamish Secretary:-

‘…most important thank, is to the men who prepare the greens for us – without their dedication and hard work, our greens would not be of the high standard they are today…’

 Some other notable achievements:

  • 1985 J. Isaac, E. Thorson, G. Brewster won CVDLBA Triples.

  • 1987 E. Thorson, G. Brewster, B. Wood, W. Coulter won CVDLBA State Fours.

  • 1987 R. Johnson, I. Buzza, J. Kentish, won CVDLBA Triples.

  • 1988 B. Wood, I. Buzza, J. Stokes, won CVDLBA Bicentennial Triples.

  • 1988-89-90 Jean Bond was President of CVDLBA.

  • 1988-89-90 Betty Miles was Secretary of CVDLBA.

  • 1991 Betty Miles, June Stokes reached the last 16 in Victorian Carnival.

  • 1991 E. Thorson, D. Gladman, B. Wood won Association Triples.

  • 1991 N. Findlay, J. Stokes, I. Buzza, B. Miles won their section in Victorian Carnival 4’s.

  • 1995 Betty Carling first on CVDLBA Match and Handicap. Still on 2010.

  • 1992 Jacqueline Mooney was first on CVDLBA Match and Handicap.

  • 2000 W. Watt, M. George, J. Watt, CVDLBA Triples.

  • 2004-2006 Betty Carling Kyabram Valley View was CVDLBA president.

  • Life members of Valley View; B. Woods, G. Brewster, M. Trebilcock.

Presentation of Veteran badges to members of 80 years of age continues in 2010.

Official visits by RVBA/VLBA were very formal occasions (lots of protocol) and were pre-arranged by invitation. Valley View’s 25th Anniversary was one such occasion. Another was in 1981, when VLBA President Mrs K. Tenny presented a banner for the Club to mark the occasion. This was accepted by President Mrs R. Johnson.

REFERENCES

  • Kyabram Valley View Bowls Club Minutes of meetings

  • Goulburn Valley Bowls Association Inc. 75th Anniversary Booklet

  • Kyabram Free Press