The Torquay Bowls Club Inc has enjoyed over 80 years of community support at its current site within Taylor Park and provided many people with great enjoyment over that time.

Lawn bowls was apparently played in Torquay as one of the sports available at Melba House guesthouse in the early years of last century.

Torquay Bowls Club was formed on 10 January 1924.

The following extract appearing in the Geelong Advertiser on the 21st January 1924 tells the story:

“Saturday January 10 1924 marked another forward step in the progress of Torquay, when at a meeting held in the public hall, it was decided to form a Bowling Club.

The matter of forming the Club had been ‘in the air’ for some time, and prior to the meeting on Saturday night two other meetings had been held.

Mr. Sprake occupied the chair when the final decision was made, and the others present included Alderman J Pettit, Councilor J Tehear, Messrs. Welsh, Dickens, L. Austin, Carl Voss, W. Waddell and F. Arthur Taylor.

At a former meeting consideration was given to the question of suitable sites.  On Saturday night Mr Sprake was elected President of the Club, Ald J Pettit and Mr H Hirst Vice Presidents,  Mr Dickens, Treasurer and Mr A Taylor, Secretary. Committee B T Drayton, A Crowe, C Voss, Welsh, Dickens, J Thear.

Officers and Committee, together with any of the members who have already joined the club and who so desire, will make a final selection of the proposed site on Tuesday night next at 7 o’clock.

The sites in view occupy a portion of the old golf links.  At the meeting it was also decided to lay a ladies’ croquet green adjoining the bowling greens.  It is proposed to lay five rinks on the latter, and work will commence shortly after the site has been chosen.

The meeting was enthusiastic, and an appeal for donations resulted in 40 pounds being promised.  Other promises have been made by persons who did not attend.

The membership fee was fixed at one pound one shilling for the ensuing twelve months.  The old Golf Links, named Taylor Park soon after J.W Taylor’s death in 1921 was chosen for the site of the bowling green and ladies croquet lawn.”

Milestones:

Since its formation the Torquay Bowls Club has achieved many milestones both on and off the green.  Some of the more notable have been:

July 1924 - Construction of the first bowling green was completed by Mr. Carl R Voss.

January 1926 - Official opening of the Bowling Green.

1953 - An additional 8 rink green completed

1954 - A ladies committee was formed to promote ladies bowls

1958 - A new clubhouse erected.

1968 - Indoor bowls commenced.

1977 - The Clubhouse was extended

1982 - The Club became a licensed club

1983 - Clubhouse upgraded to provide for a bar (full license from 1983)

1984 - Club issued with a Certificate of Incorporation and on 22nd April the Club changed its name to Torquay Bowls Club Incorporated.

1985 - Ladies given full voting rights and the first lady (Elaine Webster) was appointed to the General Committee.

The Club has been fortunate to have amongst its playing members some outstanding players over the years which have achieved recognition beyond the immediate boundaries of the club.  Collectively the club has also enjoyed pennant success within the Geelong and District Bowls Assoc (men) and the Bellarine and District Bowls Association (ladies).

Some of the more notable achievements over the last 40 years here have been:

A lady State Champion of Champions. G Hopkins in 1974/75 (and runner up in the Vic country champ of champions the following year)

Lady members, Mrs. M Pemberton (1964/65), G Hopkins (1974/75) and H Casey (2003/4) winning the Association Champion of Champions singles title.

Lady members G Payne and S Lloyd winning the Group 2 pairs title in 1997/98.

Men’s members G Banks and Mac Smith winning the GDBA A Grade Pairs in 1998/99

Men’s members W Meade and D Mariager winning the GDBA Veteran’s Pairs in 2001/2 and again in 2002/3

Men’s member Noel Phyland winning the GDBA Veteran’s singles championship in 2007/08

Lady member Karen Harrington winning the BDLBA Champion of Champions singles in 2007/08

Lady member Maureen Gribble winning the BDLBA Champion of Champions singles in 2008/09