Mixed event marked the start of Innisfail Bowls Club’s centenary celebrations

Story And Photos By Maria Girgenti

INNISFAIL Bowls Club kicked off their centenary celebrations in 2023 with a mixed bowls event last Wednesday, January 25.

Before play, bowlers gathered for a special flag-raising ceremony of the club’s centenary flag.

In hot and humid conditions, forty bowlers took to the green, played two bowl fours and completed two games of 10 ends.

Winners on the day were Ian Gaffney, George Edgerton, Roz Frazer (Edmonton) and Sam Micale, whilst in second place, based on their first game score, were Dennis Ryan, Barry

Anderson, Carol Morris (Edmonton) and Peter Smith.

The Innisfail Bowling Club, founded in 1923, had Joe Skeen as the inaugural President and those foundation members included N R Mighell, J H Payne, T Nisbet, L J Duffy, J Wright, E Venables, J T Robertson, C J Duffin, J Stewart, J T McNamee (foundation Secretary).

L J Duffin, the inaugural Patron, was the longest-serving President for eight years, from 1929 - 1936.

G Catelan was the most prolific Singles Champion, having won the title eight times over 14 years, with his first win in 1955 and last in 1968. He also holds the record for most successive wins, four in a row from 1960 - 1963.

November 1971 - function room/ kitchen area built, and removal of the old toilet block and tool shed - officially opened on June 24, 1972.

December 1972 - old building demolished - new clubhouse completed and officially opened on July 28, 1973, which is still in use today.

The youngest bowler to win the Open Singles Championship was Clem Kinbacher in 1970, aged 34, whilst Sir Joseph McAvoy was the oldest to win the Club Championship, aged 64 in 1974.

H Moran was the first member bestowed Life Membership in 1950. Sergio Dalla Pozza is the most recent member to receive Life Membership in 2022.

Before 1936, the club only had men playing with the Innisfail Ladies’ Bowling Club, founded on November 24, 1936, by President Edgar Venables Senior.

The inaugural officer bearers were Mrs I Bonas (President), T H Gilmore and Mrs S Jones (Vice Presidents), Mrs A J Smallwood (Secretary), Miss D Bliss (Treasurer) with Mesdames Saddlier, J Ede, Petersen, Daeguish and B King.

Mrs D Curtis, the first Ladies’ Patroness, was appointed on July 6, 1937.

In 1937, the Innisfail Ladies’ Bowls Club was affiliated with the Far North Queensland District Ladies’ Bowling Association.

Mrs Greenlees was the Innisfail Ladies’ Games Director, appointed in September 1938.

Current member Joan Anderson holds the record for the most prolific Singles championship, having won the title 13 times over 16 years. She registered her first win in 1983, was club champion in 1998 and holds the record for most wins in succession, six in a row from 19931998.

Throughout 2023, the club is hosting various centenary events, with the major celebrations to be held in mid-August.