HISTORY OF THE
VILLAGE BOWLING GREEN 2004 – 2016
Aveo, Peregian Springs Country Club
P iercing blue skies, a scud of cloud, a gentle breeze bringing hints of gardenias, the clack, clack of bowls, bowlers in their whites, calls of “Good shot” and “Hit it out of the way” – this is the Village Bowling Green at Peregian Springs Country Club, today. The bowling green is a very important part of the village and is one of the selling points for new residents. It is often featured in advertising and publicity for the Country Club and many bowlers have been photographed using the green. We had “A Current Affair” back in 2012, filming for their programme and then, two years ago, residents volunteered to be featured in a Sales Video that was made for the Hong Kong market. Recently, residents have been filmed again on this lovely bowling green. This is the story of the Village Bowling Green, as remembered, from 2003/4. If anyone or anything is overlooked, many apologies.
T hose residents who have been affected by the recent building of the new Villas in Stage 3 will appreciate how original residents survived the building of The Manor and the Village Bowling Green back in 2003/2004. Those most affected were Athol and Anne in Villa 8 and Colin and Marjory in Villa 7, who were living next to a construction site. These Villas had no side or back gardens and were almost surrounded by a steel building fence covered in plastic sheeting. Athol and Ann were unable to bring their beloved dog, Alfie, to the village as there was nowhere for a dog fence in those days. Residents had to endure the dust and constant noise from trucks coming and going all day, delivering building materials, the noise from the building and the always present chatter from the workers, whose language, at times, was a bit blue!
N evertheless, the Manor was completed in late 2004 and work continued then on the bowling green. The first mention of the bowling green in the newsletter, was in October 2004: (Editor B.J.)
“Doesn’t the Bowling Green look good – Martin said that there are bowling balls there for the beginners – should be good! The bowling day that Athol has organised on the 31st October, will be a good start for us...”
M artin and F.K.P. supplied the first mats and jacks, and Athol organised for some second-hand bowls from the Coolum Beach Bowls Club and residents began practising on the green, Players were invited to go to the Coolum Beach Bowls Club to get more training from their experienced bowlers. Athol had been a long-time member of that club. Some of their club members visited and gave more instruction on our synthetic green and the new players started to enjoy bowling. Brian and Athol were the early conveners of the games. Early bowlers were Athol and Ann, Jan and Colin, Richard and Audrey, Brian and Trish, B.J. Hampton, Grace, Norma and Gwen. (If I have missed any, please let me know).
O ne of the early residents was friendly with a famous bowler, Robert Parella. Born in Italy, Rob came to prominence when winning a silver medal in the 1982 Commonwealth Games. In the 1990 Commonwealth Games he won the singles Gold and in the 1994 Commonwealth Games he won a bronze medal. Rob played on the village synthetic green and also attended some of the training days. Players were impressed with his skills and ability. They hoped to learn some tips from being around such a famous and successful bowler.
F rom newsletter February 2005 “Our first try at an organised game on the 23rd January went very well. We had 18 players and a few observers. The weather was fine, quite humid with a little breeze. After the game it was decided by the majority that the starting time will be 4.00p.m. each Monday. Our next game is on 31st January (2005). We hope to have a sausage sizzle once a month after the game. ” By Athol Hatten.
T he early bowlers began to practise more and to enjoy playing on Monday afternoons and also on Sunday mornings. Athol encouraged all bowlers that “practice makes perfect – and enjoy yourself”. The Sausage Sizzles were cooked on the electric BBQ near the pool. They cost the huge amount of $1.00.
O ver the years, F.K.P. and Aveo became sponsors of the Bowls Club and supplied players with white Aveo monogrammed shirts, white hats and yellow caps. The Peregian Springs Bowlers have played “away” at several different Sunshine Coast Bowls Clubs and visiting Bowling Clubs have played here and enjoyed games and lunch. F.K.P. and AVEO have been very generous, supplying prizes during competitions.
T he first trip “away” was on one Sunday in 2005 when a small group visited Maroochy Bowls Club for a match followed by lunch. Some residents were new to competitive games and were keen to learn the “rules”. Unfortunately the weather turned very nasty and players were very nearly all blown away by a very strong gale off the nearby ocean. Whew! Players were very happy to finish and enjoyed lunch and prize giving with the home Bowls Club.
S ince then the “carpet” on the bowling green has been cleaned and upgraded twice and it is now playing well, according to regulars. The seating areas at the end of the green were purchased through a grant from the Residents’ Association and they also donated the umbrellas which are now in use. A couple of residents have designed and built two steps for the use of players with problems getting up and down to the green.
T he Village Bowls Club has gone from strength to strength, with Thursday tuition and Sunday games being almost full. A large part of the fun and entertainment happens after bowls, when players adjourn to the Manor Bar for refreshments. With the refurbished new village kitchen and the access door, players will be able to pop into the kitchen for coffee, tea or a cold drink. As far as residents know, AVEO has no plans to increase the size of the bowling green.
When
Gerhardt became Editor of the Gracemere Gazette, in his April 2005
publication he played a little trick on residents. The Editorial was about Management having a plan to turn the swimming pool into a
tennis court (some tennis playing residents also mentioned the Bowling Green could be converted into a tennis court.
Anyway, Gerhard mentioned a strong anti-tennis court lobby needing
support for a demonstration to start at 4.00p.m. on 1st April at the
clubhouse and a sit-in at Don’s bar at 7.00p.m.
The Management has given us their blessing but do ask that both parties
should participate, that all against,
wear red socks and all for the tennis court, blue socks. The undecided are kindly asked to wear one of each. This will make it much easier
for the ballot counters, as they have only to divide the number of
blue or red socks by two and then they know exactly how many are for
or against this unbelievably crude thought.”
Note the date! Evidently at least one of our pro-swimming
pool residents turned up, with grandchildren and all wearing red socks!!
Thanks Gerhard for the laugh.
After writing this history, I notice that the Village Bowling Green has never been officially opened. Perhaps this could be organised by the Bowls Club during next year, to coincide with the eleventh anniversary of the first ever, organised match game.
Written by Trish Kelly V126
November 2016