In 1945, the Marion district
was dominated by market gardens. In essence, it was a
country town which constituted of hard working gardeners
who visited the market twice a week to sell their
produce. Most socialising and interaction took place at
Turners Café.
During World War II, a
small number of these local market gardeners were sworn
in as Special Constables of the Air Raid Protection
Unit. Their task was to tour the district on their
push-bikes to enforce the blackout conditions which
applied at the time.
Discussions were
conducted by the Special Constables at the Sturt Council
Chambers. One of the major issues of their concern was
in regards to solving problems of the world. During one
of these meetings, a suggestion was put forward to form
a bowling club. This was the first process to the birth
of the Marion bowling Club.
The Pioneers
A meeting called the Sturt Recreation Ground Committee
was held on 1 June 1945 at the Sturt Hall, Marion
whereby 11 men attended. A motion for the creation of
the bowling club was moved by Mr. W. Ormond and seconded
by Mr. A. Foster.
The Founding Members:
R. Duncan, A. Foster, M.
Parslow, J.Cracknell, S.Walker, W.Ormond, W. Richardson,
M.Franklin, W. King, A. Parsons, H.Walker
All present at the
initial meeting formed a committee charted with
attracting all prospective members to a meeting on 15
June 1945. 18 men attended this meeting which formed the
Sturt Bowling Club. The name "Sturt" was short lived as
it was discovered that there was an existing club of
that name. On October 4, it was agreed that the club
name be changed from Sturt to "Marion". The Marion
Bowling Club was born.
Working Bees
The work of volunteers was vital to the development of
the club from day one. The tradition of the working bees
commenced on the evenings of Wednesday, January 23 and
Friday, 25 January. The purpose of the working bees was
to plant the banks of the green. Mr Jim Palmer was
appointed as green keeper at 2 shillings per hour after
performing much of the work to establish the green
voluntarily. Working bees and voluntary ‘labour of love’
became synonymous with the Marion Bowling Club.
On The Greens
Despite the fact that the official opening day for the
Marion Bowling Club was held on 14 November 1946, the
first ‘friendly’ match was held against the railways on
19 October 1946. It was close to a month after this date
when the Mayor of Marion and club patron, Mr F.H. Trott
officially declared the greens open for play.
Pennant Action
During a club meeting in June 1947, Mr H. Bayly spoke on
the necessity for the club to be involved in pennant
competition as an incentive to young players. The
members of the meeting agreed to enter a team in the
fourth division whereby the method of selection would
take place by a sole selector. Mr H. Gibson had the
distinction of being Marion’s fist selector for pennant
matches. 2001-2002 Season saw the first 1 Red Pennant
won by the club since its inception, and has rekindled
the spirit of the club
A Place to Call Home
At the Annual General Meeting in July 1947, the
following motion was passed:
"The general committee investigate the matter of a club
house and report back to a general meeting as soon as
possible." A building sub-committee was appointed to
report back to a general meeting on 30 July 1947. A plan
and model of the proposed club house with a cost
estimate of 150 pounds was tabled at the meeting.
Voluntary labour was used to keep expenses within the
budget. Each Saturday after the 27 September, working
bees were arranged to erect the club house.
The building of the
humble club house, built on the sweat of voluntary
labour and working bees, together with the commencement
of pennant matches and state events on the Marion
greens, signified the real birth of the Marion Bowling
Club – a place members could call home. The club soon
grew to become the social centre for the community, with
opening days in particular being important of the social
calendar for the district.
In the 63 years since the Marion Bowling Club was first
established on a solid foundation of togetherness and
hard work, Marion Bowling Cub members have built on
these foundations by maintaining these fine traditions.
The ‘country spirit’ is still very much alive for fellow
members and visitors as we begin the 21st century.
Our achievements on and off the greens over the past 65
years.
1945 - Formation of the Marion Bowling Club. Five
pound debentures issued to raise funds to establish the
club.
1946 June 1946 - First Annual General Meeting of the
Marion Bowling Club. Subscriptions set at 2 pounds 2
shillings for full members. Lighting of the greens takes
place. Green and gold approved as the Club’s colours.
Club membership - 53 full members.
1947 - Marion enters its first side in pennant
competition with a team in fourth division. Original
clubhouse completed in November, using voluntary labour.
1949 - Jack Cracknell presented with a bowls case
and a monetary reward for his exceptional work in
establishing the Club. Committee agrees to enter two
more teams in pennant competition.
1950 - Extra land granted to Marion Bowling Club by
Sturt/Marion Memorial Oval Committee.
1953 - Clubroom extension on eastern side completed.
Membership restricted to 80 full members.
1955 - A meeting was called to try and create
interest in a womens bowling club.14 members attended
and elected a committee comprising of President -
Mrs J Edwards - Secretary Mrs J Hardy - Vice President -
Mrs M Weir - Treasurer Mrs J O' Connor plus a committee
of 5 members.
1958 - Sir Thomas Playford opens Marion Bowling Club
season. Club approaches Sturt/Marion Oval Committee for
more land on eastern side of club for additional rinks.
1958 - The first day of the Marion Women’s Bowling
Club was declared open by the Mayor of Marion the 19th
April with the club entering their first pennant team in
Div.4 on their newly opened green of 4 rinks.
1960 - Marion Oval committee agrees to extend rinks
to 12 . Club has 82 full members.
1962 - First solid building for the Ladies club was
opened.
1963 - President Hedley Lang and his Committee
approve building of a new clubhouse with cost not to
exceed $7,250. Additional land was required due to the
widening of Sturt Road. Greens had to be extended to the
north to make the adjustment, Jim Dooley’s painting of
the old clubhouse still hangs in the club.
1965 - New clubhouse opened on 24 April 1965 by Mr
A. Turnbull, President of the RSABA. A plaque
commemorating the occasion is mounted above the doorway
to the Secretary’s Office. Indoor bowls side of the Club
was formed.
1973 - Major work carried out in re-establishing A
and B Greens with saltwater couch.
1974 - Grand opening of the new A Green on 31 March
1974. Annual subscriptions set at $35.
1975 - Proposal for major alterations to clubhouse.
Negotiations with Education Department commence to
obtain additional land for a third green.
1977 - Green extensions completed.
1978 - Marion Bowling Club approached the Marion
Council for a loan of $35,000 over 15 years for the
purpose of extending the clubhouse. The successful
tender was $47,138. Membership was 129 full members and
24 associates.
1982 - Extension of ‘C’ Green (to 8 rinks)
completed.
1985 - A women’s team reaches Red 1 for the first
time
1988 - Marion Bowling Club sets the pace for bowls
tournaments in South Australia by announcing the Marion
$5,000 Classic Fours Tournament. The tournament was
sponsored by Foundation SA and was conducted over two
days during the Christmas break. The tournament
attracted the who’s who of South Australian bowls. Geoff
Arnold delivers his 21st Annual Report as Treasurer. The
Club recognises Geoff’s contribution by awarding the G.
Arnold Shield to the Club Champion each year. Marion
wins One White pennant and earns promotion to One Red
for the first time.
1991 - Marion takes to the greens with new coloured
shirts sponsored by SA Brewing.
1992 - New overhead lighting installed. Night Owls
introduced at Marion with 28 teams competing.
1993 - Members agree to change to tiff dwarf greens.
Marion wins One White pennant and again heads to One
Red.
1994 - Marion records its best result in One Red
with its 4th position. ‘B’ Green is named ‘The David
Lloyd Green’ in recognition of David’s outstanding
efforts in assisting with greens development and
maintenance.
1996 - Marion celebrates its Jubilee with its best
results in One Red earning it 4th place in the elite
competition. Marion heads boldly into into its 51st year
by recruiting Australian squad representative, John
Noonan to its ranks.
1997 - John Noonan becomes the first Marion Club
bowler to represent Australia, winning the Hong Kong
International singles title
1997 - The club purchased 8 poker machines at a cost
of $60,000 including a gambling room.
1998 - History is made with the amalgamation of the
Marion Bowling Club and the Marion Women's Club to the
original clubrooms. The clubrooms were extended to
accommodate the ladies.
1998 - The Marion Bowling Club accepted a new
constitution, created a Board of Management with the
first Chairman being Rex Whitehead
2002 - Marion 1 Red & 1 Blue, both making the
Pennant Finals, with 1 Red winning the Pennant.
2004 - Marion 1 Blue, 1 Green both win Pennants,
with 2 Red finishing second and being Promoted to 1
Green for new season 2004/5
2005 - Poker machines were sold for the princely
amount of $350,000. The windfall was used to create a
sportsman's bar, cold room and bar refurbishment.
2006 - Marion holds its position with its Men's
Premier 1, & Ladies win there first Premier 1 Pennant.
2008 - Marion ladies win two Pennant Flags in Metro
South Divisions 1 and 2. The Division 2 ladies went
through the season undefeated.
