The meticulously manicured greens of a lawn bowls club have long been a distinctive showpiece of Australian society, and the heart of many a community. But grim statistics show the iconic bowlo is on the decline, casting a dark shadow over its future.
A recent study by UNSW Sydney reported mass club closures in the past 40 years, with some cities having lost nearly half of their bowlos.
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Waning in popularity, ageing members, financial pressures to cover pricey land taxes, and clubhouse and ground maintenance are some of the contributory factors behind the 150-year institution being forced to close some of their doors.
Once affectionately dubbed “third spaces”, bowlos have always played a key role in Australian society with the first space being home, the second work, and the third where locals gather.
It begs the question that if bowlos are the glue that binds the community, then why are they barely surviving and not thriving?
“There were often many sports clubs in one suburb, including an abundance of bowling clubs,” says lead author of the UNSW study and city planning graduate Louis Heath.
“Having multiple clubs in some suburbs just couldn’t be sustained over time.”
Efforts to preserve tradition and steer clear of extinction have seen clubs reinvent themselves. They are now appealing to social players with the introduction of barefoot bowls, live music and more.
But change doesn’t mean bad news.
One establishment in South East Queensland has bucked the trend by allowing guests to camp on the green in the hope of developing an iconic national trail for tourists.
At Kandanga Country Club in Mary Valley, caravans, RVs and rooftop tents line one side of the bowlo green as tourists pile into town.
Secretary and manager Julie Worth has stressed that the addition of camping to their venue has been a huge success in luring people back to the green.
“Our greenkeeper was living in a caravan beside the club and occasionally bowlers would request to park their vans there overnight for carnivals. Then other campers saw the vans and requested to stay,” Julie, 66, tells New Idea.
“Eventually we realised that we could charge a fee, accumulated funds and made improvements accordingly. We’ve added power and water to 18 sites.”
Julie has led the club since 2009. She grew up watching her parents play at the venue and credits the resurgence of the business to its expanded accommodation offering – including the hosting of wedding receptions!
“The club has averaged 14 vans per night for the year and those fees collected have a multiplying effect as we now employ eight locals and serve meals six nights a week,” shares Julie.
“Those who stay say that they love the ambiance and comment that they feel safe.
“The [guests] sit on outdoor seating and play cards until late at night. We lock the building and go home …and tell them where to turn the lights off.”
Julie adds that Kandanga’s success has inspired other bowling clubs to offer camping and contribute to a tourist trail through regional venues. She shares, “I’ve been approached by clubs in South Australia and New South Wales who are interested in doing the same.”
