Creswick Bowling Club was founded in 1875 and celebrated its 125th Anniverary in 2000.
The club started at Leopold Park, now known as Hammon Park where a green was made and opened for play in 1876.
In 1929 bowls were abandoned at Leopold Park, with the club going into recess.
In 1931, Creswick Bowling and Croquet Club was formed, a four rink bowling green and a croquet green were established at
the present site.
The first match in March 1933 was played against Clunes on the Creswick green, Creswick won.
The worst flood since 1869 hit the town when Creswick Creek,
at the rear of the club and Albert Street, broke its banks, 6ft high waves galloped down the creek, inundating the greens and leaving in its wake 4 inches of evil smelling slime and waste materials, over the entire area and surrounds.
The years 1934 - 37 were years of recovery from the flood and of consolidation of the club and its membership.
A small pavillion was situated along Pascoe's fence line providing shelter, and a place to take refreshments.
Records show no further reference to croquet beyond 1938, when it can be assumed, the club disbanded.
During World War 11, the club retained the membership and loyalty of a small band of men.
The Creswick Ladies Bowling Club was formed in 1949, and for the next forty years were a separate entity to the Creswick Bowling Club, this was changed in 1991 - 92 when lady bowlers became full and equal members.
In 1955, members took up debentures to build a new clubhouse
Overhead lighting had been installed and night bowls became a feature of social interaction.
Work commenced in 1957 on laying a new green over the existing tennis courts.
Between 1960 and 1980 further extensions made the clubhouse what it is today.
*The above information is taken from the book
"The First
120 Years" by Jack Sewell.
Copies are available from the Club Secretary.
In 1995 members once again took up debentures to put in a synthetic green. The road green was renovated the following year, and in 2001 air conditioning was installed in the club house.
Ladies first Premiership team 1955 - 56
names opposite.
In 2004 it was decided to enlarge the Greenkeepers Shed to hold more equipment
In 2005 the club Social Committee held a Seniors Debutante Ball for members who had not been able to be a Debutante in their youth, ten Ladies made their Debut at a wonderful night
*Photo:
Back: Richard Hutton, Stewart Neil, Ian Huntley, Bob Allen, Graeme Vinke, Ray Laycock & Lance Keen.
Centre: Elly VanOirschot, June Whitehead, John VanOirschot, Alan Penrice, John Caddy, Frances Grady & Doreen Green.
Front: Margaret Hutton, Joan Neil, Ruby Keen, Beth Huntley, Anne Vinke & Lyn Penrice.
Juniors in front:
Josh Manzl & Alana Spratling
By 2006 the drought had lasted for nearly 9 years and with very severe water restrictions in place, we purchased 4 tanks to contain 64, 000 litres of water, to save our greens.
However by 2008 to enable the club to save more water & with the aid of a federal government grant, another synthetic green was put down to replace the grass green. The new synthetic green was officially opened on 7th September 2008.
0n 24th April 2010 the Ladies celebrated their 60th Birthday, the president of the VLBA cut our birthday cake made by Bonnie Grose.
A wonderful day was had by our many previous members and visitors
Then!! Horror of horrors, the drought broke on 4th September 2010 with torrential rain which caused the creek to flood This went through the Club house and across the greens at a metre high doing quite a large amount of damage to the club house and our greens.
Again on 14th January 2011 and 4th February 2011 there was more rain and again we suffered more severe flooding and damage to the club and both greens.
At a Special General Meeting held on 2nd March 2011, members of the club voted to relocate to a suitable venue.
September 2011:
The Creswick Bowling club is currently in the process of being relocated to Doug Lindsay Recreation Reserve, Creswick,
which, when all is built and completed, will be our future home.