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The first official meeting of the Bundaberg Bowling Club was held on 8 February 1905. Bowling green and clubhouse. The new club applied for and was granted leasehold land adjoining the Burnett Traffic Bridge on the beautiful riverbank. There is some confusion about the building of the bowling green. Some accounts mention Mr. John Rae, foreman of the Gooburrum Shire Council, other stories tell that Mr. James Cullen, Harbour Board foreman and first engineer on the dredge Ceratodus was responsible for the laying of the green. Whoever did the job, it was well done as our foundation green is still in use after one hundred years. The date for the building of a half green is not recorded. This half green was situated along Quay Street in the little park where the statue of Bert Hinkler now stands. The original clubhouse stood near the Traffic Bridge and was built by Mr. John Guthrie at a cost of 42 pounds. This clubhouse was probably also used as an equipment storage shed. It measured 8.5 m long by 3 m wide. (28 x 10 feet). Opening day. The big day for all the hard work that was put into the building of the Club and green was celebrated on l0 November 1906. The ceremony was performed by Hon. Angus Gibson, M.L.C. The first (official) bowl was rolled by Mr. T.W. Bouchard, then State Champion and President of the South Brisbane Bowls Club. The green had been in use since September 1906. The first green keeper was Bob McKinlay. He held the job for many years. Mr. McKinlay became a very widely renowned pipe major of Bundaberg's famous Caledonian Pipe Band. Friends in Bowls. No doubt friendship and good fellowship exists throughout the bowling world. It goes well beyond the boundary fence of the club. Maryborough has two bowls clubs over 100 years old. The rivalry between the two cities had to be tested on the bowling green. For many years the Bundaberg Bowls Club played the Maryborough Bowls Club for the ashes. No one is sure when it started, but these challenge matches were played from 1921 on. Players used to travel to Maryborough by rail motor. Who would be able to describe the return journey! The last time the two clubs met is about three years ago. Just for the record, it is Maryborough's turn to come to Bundaberg to face the music. Source: www.bundabergbowls.com.au/club-history

As a postcard -

Google Maps streetview - goo.gl/maps/KkhTzBsoJamUMUog8 Unusually, more than a few buildings are still there!

Interesting article from 1895 when they were thinking of a tramway in Erskine St. - trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14025055 Eventually The King Street tram was extended along Day St to Erskine with a turning loop ar the wharf. Not sure when that happened or if it is visible in this photo ...

Name those cars! Looks like the morning rush from the shadows. 1 November 1961 was a Wednesday ...