South Grafton Bowling Club Celebrates 90 Years
From a watering hole for railway workers to a welcoming hub for bowlers and families, South Grafton Bowling Club has been a staple of its community for nine decades and counting.
The beloved venue, which sits on the banks of the picturesque Clarence River on the NSW North Coast, hosted almost 100 people to mark its 90th anniversary on Sunday, 28 June.
The local radio station joined the festivities, interviewing Club staff about their memories, while Richie Williamson — NSW MP for Clarence — was also on hand.
The day was highlighted by a sausage sizzle and a ‘come and try’ bowls event, which the Club hopes will help encourage a new generation of members to keep the venue thriving long into the future.
Dot Rankin, 88, and Cliff Rodger, 84 — two of the Club’s oldest playing bowls members — had the honour of cutting a beautiful cake iced with the text ‘South Grafton Bowling Club 1936-2026’.
“It was nice to have all the people there and it was a really laid-back day,” Vice President Enid McKew says.
“Volunteers have been a major thing for the Club over the years.
“It’s evolved a bit… it used to be the watering hole for the railway workers. We had a big railway place here in Grafton, which we still do, but not like that. It’s all different now.
“A lot of those people used to come and drink here all the time, but now we live mainly with our bowls, which we have on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
“We don't have a restaurant or anything, (but) we have people come in for parties — everything from gender reveals to wakes — and we do some of the catering. It's just a social club.”
In a Facebook post, Mr Williamson paid tribute to the Club’s incredible longevity.
“With some of the best views of the Clarence River, it’s a special place that has welcomed generations of locals and visitors alike,” the post reads.
“Over the years, the South Grafton Bowling Club has also produced some of the North Coast’s finest bowlers, building a proud sporting legacy while continuing to be a place where everyone feels welcome.
“Congratulations on this wonderful milestone. Here’s to celebrating the rich history of the Club and wishing everyone involved another successful 90 years ahead!”
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