History of the Club

How we started – The first ten years

 by Des Toohey.

The Barooga Sports Club was asked to investigate the possibility of building a bowling complex after a request from the Cobram – Barooga Golf Club bowlers,who had lost their greens (once the best in the district), through some misfortune. The directors of the Barooga Sports Club decided to build two synthetic greens (sand filled) with a club house and $500,000 was put toward the project.

The inaugural meeting at the Barooga Sports Bowls Club was held on June 30 1998. Vin Toohey was elected President with Jim Duran elected Secretary. Work on the bowls complex started on July 6 with Max and Roy Stillard laser grading the area. Much time and equipment was provided by many community members such as Gerald Rothe, Gavan Cullen, Roy Adkins, Des Toohey and Kevin Brooks to complete earth works, the relocation of shelters, fencing of the area, sowing lawn seed and painting etc. This was completed three months later to playing standard of RVBA with play commencing on October 4.

Two greens each with eight rinks was a great effort by all who helped. The clubhouse was not completed until a later date, in the meantime, lunches etc were served at Club Barooga Fitness Centre.

A ladies committee was formed with their first meeting held on 9th July 1998. Roma Brentnall was elected President and Betty Hewett as Secretary.

The first function and Grand Opening by Murray Bowls Association (MBA) was held on 11th October 1998. The greens were opened by Shire President, Fred Cuthbert.

Barooga Sports Club president Ray Brooks officially handed over the keys to the club house on 13 December 1998. Official guests included the President of World Bowls, Sonny Downs, the President and Secretary of the MBA, Hugh Henderson and Ron Bartley respectively, MBA councillor Les Stewart, Mayor Fred Cuthbert, CEO of the Barooga Sports Club, Greg Ryan, Joyce Larkin, Victorian Ladies Bowls Association, Bev Aird, Central Murray Ladies Bowls Association.

The Barooga Sports Bowls Club now has two new carpet greens, the first was installed in 2004 and the second in 2006 at an approximate cost of $311,00.00.  The Barooga Sports Club approved plans for the extension of the Club House and it was completed for the start of the pennant season in 2008. On the completion of the clubhouse extensions a total of just less than One and a half million dollars was spent on the  Bowling Complex, many thanks to the Barooga Sports Club.

 

Following on- Next few years

By Spanner Brooks

During its first season the Barooga Sports Bowls Club entered four men’s teams in the MBA and two ladies teams in the CMBLA. The men’s 1st Division team went on to finish runner up, being defeated by Numurkah Golf on the last bowl of the day.

The men’s 4th Division team was the first Barooga Sports Bowls Club team to taste premiership success the next season when they won the 1999-2000 grand final.

The Barooga Sports Bowls top side then was in Division 2 when it gleefully won its first premiership in the 2005-2006 season. Promoted the next year they defied history in achieving the extraordinary feat of winning the 2006-2007 men’s 1st Division premiership for the Barooga Sports Bowls Club. During the same season the ladies Division 2 side also won the first ladies premiership for the Club.

In 2015-2016 our mid week Division 1 side won their first premiership. Unification took place during the 2010 season which has changed the composition of bowls teams somewhat, but overall has had many positive impacts on the game.

Since inception the Barooga Sports Bowls Club has enjoyed the following successes,

Division 4 Men’s premiers in 1999-2000

Division 3 Men’s premiers in 2005-2006, 2008-2009

Division 2 Men’s premiers in 2005-2006, 2012-2013

Division 1 Men’s premiers in 2006-2007, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2017-2018, 2018-2019 , 2019-2020

Division 1 Midweek premiers 2015-2016

Division 2 Midweek premiers 2006-2007

In a total of sixteen premierships, the Men’s Division One side has won 8 of the past 12 premierships, which is a great achievement as premierships at any level are very difficult to win and Barooga weren’t always favoured to win. Maybe the selectors were right all along.

We have had 6 Champion of Champions who should get a mention, Ray Emerson, Geoff Mitchell, Jean Duncombe, Ruth Wood, Carol Wigg and Kay Beare. Ray Emerson and Kerry Ralph have also been selected to represent Victoria in recent times.

We also have a number of events unique to this club, such as Monday night Socials Bowls, Keiths Friday, the monthly”Share the Wealth” and the Barooga Classic Pairs.

During 2018 the two greens were named in honour of two members, Vin Toohey and Keith Mellier, in recognition of the many contributions they have made to the success of the Club, on and off the greens.

Over the past 20 years many people have devoted many thousands of volunteer hours to the success of the Barooga Sports Club, from Presidents, Secretaries, committees, green keepers, handymen, caterers, coaches and players. It is this spirit of working together which has made the Barooga Sports Bowls Club something all members can be very proud of, and it is now one of the most respected Bowls Clubs within our association and indeed in the region. That same spirit has given club great success on the greens, and we hope that continues to be.