The Willetton Bowling Club has come a long way since its founding in 1985, and last weekend its members gathered to celebrate four decades of sport, friendship and community spirit.
Past presidents, life members, local dignitaries and current bowlers filled the clubrooms for the 40th anniversary celebration on September 20, an evening that combined history and a look toward the future. The event was supported by a grant from the City of Canning.
The Events Chairperson Karen Langley explained that seeing the night come together was very satisfying.
“We did a lot of work towards it,” she said.
“We’ve got the verbal history from Ray Mansfield, our last inaugural member, and a pictorial history one of our members collated. The feedback has been very positive.”
Highlights of the evening included speeches from Riverton MLA Dr Jags Krishnan and City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall, followed by life member Ray Mansfield’s stories of the club’s early struggles and the determination of volunteers who helped build the greens. Eight past presidents were presented with commemoration brooches, while members also unveiled a new uniform and club flag.
Marg Parise, Social Chairperson, said Mansfield’s speech was the moment that indeed captured the spirit of the club.
“He spoke about where we started in 1985 and where we are now, and we’ve come a long way,” she said.
The club keeps evolving, while keeping its traditions close. Members once put in the hard labour to build the greens themselves, and over time even the uniforms have changed. The club has found ways to respect tradition while still embracing progress.
“Sometimes it’s hard because a lot of the oldies don’t like change,” Parise admitted. “But we’ve got to come into the modern century.”
Ms Karen sees the anniversary as her most rewarding event to date.
“It was different to what we normally do,” she said. “We reflected on the past but also moved forward with the release of the new uniforms and flag, and that felt really satisfying.”
While honouring history is important, the club is equally focused on keeping its doors open to the community. Barefoot bowls has become a regular fixture, attracting families, local schools and social groups. Fathers’ groups, football clubs and cricket teams now use the greens and bar facilities for casual games and get-togethers.
“Barefoot bowls is a help because it introduces the game to people in a casual and friendly way,” Ms Karen said. “Even if you don’t bowl, you might come as a social member, and that’s important too.”
Inside the club, social life is just as significant as the sport. Ms Marg described the members as a second family.
“Even though there are around 170 members, they become your family. They’re all there to support you through good times and bad,” she said. “Quite honestly, without the club, I don’t know if I would have survived some of the challenges in my life as well as I did.”
That support shows itself in everyday moments. Ms Marg gave an instance where they recently celebrated an 80th birthday with cake. The club also gathers around members who have lost a loved one, or simply shares coffee and conversation on a Thursday morning.
“People keep coming back because of the variety, the camaraderie and the friendships,” Ms Karen said.
With plans for a new roof over the greens and a membership that continues to move forward, the club is looking ahead while staying grounded in its founding values.
“It is evolving,” Ms Karen said. “In 40 years, it’s been terrific.”
