History of Tanunda Bowling Club

By May 1923 plans for the purchase of extra ground (16ft) near the then Tennis Courts, Tanunda Oval were in hand -Tenders were called for the erection of a clubhouse – cost not to exceed £300 ($600) and with extension possibilities The lease of the land from the Tanunda District CounciI was signed on or about 9 January 1924 – fixed for 50 years.

By 29 September 1924 a tender for the clubhouse was accepted to be £375 ($750) – to be completed by October 1924. At the same meeting it was decided to join the Mid North Bowling Association – subscription 10/- per annum ($1).

At the Committee meeting on 5^th January 1925 it was decided that the Opening Day would be the 25^th January 1925. After the opening several Clubs made visits including Sturt and Glenelg, the Club Championships were started about this time – trophies for these events were two “Golden Feathers” donated by a member, one for the Open Singles Champion, one for the Handicap Singles Champion – electric lights were installed and night bowls started.

The AGM 6 September 1925 appointed Mr. E. Till as Greenkeeper and he was made an Honorary Member of the Club. Afternoon tea was to cost 6d, each member to entertain his visiting opponent – this charge was later abolished and the Ladies have been seeing to afternoon tea ever since.

In February 1926 the S.A. Bowling Association started tournaments for country clubs – there was a team of four for Tanunda. By June 1926 it was resolved to charge 1/- (10c) a game or 5/- a week – also collections from members be made to cover the estimated deficiency – Mr. F. Homburg  was permitted to approach members whom he considered would give a further donation to help liquidate the debts. September 1926 the Club was to be connected to the water meter in Langmeil Road – Council asked to cut the Pine Tree roots around the green – electric lights to be installed at the Croquet green – Framed photos of Past, Present and future Presidents to be obtained for the Clubhouse.

The AGM of 1927 appointed a new greenkeeper Mr. C. Meyer paying 11/- a day for his services -resolved to repeal the Rules regarding shape, size and weight of bowls used in competitions and the SA Bowling Association requires 1/- capitation fee for each member and £1-1-0 subscription. Club water was now metered on the Bilyara road meter.

By 1928 there were 41 members who played 20 matches against other clubs winning 9 of these – the first of many matches against South Park Club was started. These were named the “Ashes” (ref. Opening Day 1992 Trophy from R. Homburg) This first match resulted in a draw. At this time there was the first visit of an interstate team, the Victorian Lady Bowlers – described as a novelty but they were first class bowlers and jolly good sports (actual description). During the year the kitchen was enlarged, new verandah floor, new score boards, Arbors, seats, rubber mats, glass washer and donations towards the Electric Lawn Mower. The 1928 AGM decided not to proceed with the formation of an association with Angaston, Nuriootpa, Kapunda and Freeling.

Early in 1929 it was decided to hold a dance in the Institute Hall to raise funds. Charges were fixed at 3/- for gentlemen and 1/6 for ladies – the dance raised £18/16/6 ($37.65). Formation of a local Association was again defeated in September 1929 and the SABA started testing bowls. There was a suggestion that the Bowling Club take over the Skittle Club (no further references).

At the start of the 1930 season membership was 49 – the Club playing 14 matches but only winning8 and the “Ashes” resulted in a draw. The Ladies Croquet Club had purchased more land an put down another croquet lawn. The Club received donations of a flag pole and name plate (over the gate). The weather was so good in 1930 that the season was extended to the end of June.

Membership fell to 41 early in 1931 however the introduction of weekly night matches proved popular – the Club contested 17 matches again winning only 7. The annual “Ashes” match against South Park proved no exception – Tanunda lost both home and away. The AGM discusses the method of Team Selection, the proposed watering by flooding and received a donation of the Club flag. Agreed to the watering and £60 was to be borrowed to pay for the plumbing.

Subscriptions were set at £2/15/- for bowls and £1/5/- for croquet in 1932. However as the season commenced the greens were considered unsatisfactory and play was suspended. After top dressing the greens were reopened on 5^th December 1932. The Club played 15 matches and won 8 – the “Ashes” resulted in a draw.

1933 was not a good year for the Club – the greens still not in good condition. Another match was played against the Victorian Lady Bowlers on 12^th March this having been requested by the SAWBA. The Club refused a request from the Victorian Mens Bowlers to play a match on the Club greens in April although they agreed to send a team Angaston (greens poor). The programme was completed – the Ashes were won by South Park. Results of this competition now stands as South Park 9, Tanunda 5. The Club’s financial position was unsatisfactory – water rates on £26/6/- ($32.60) had not been paid and the expenses exceeded income £10 – the loan of £70 for the plumbing was still outstanding – the Committee recommended fund raising and an increase in subscriptions.

1934 the Club played matches but won only 6 – the greens Committee were concerned with rapid growth of moss – now appears likely to outgrow the winter grass. Membership decreased to 39 and the financial position requires close attention. The Croquet ladies raised £31/14/8 on Band Day and have paid the second croquet lawn laid down in 1929. The Bowls Committee thanked the Croquet Ladies for providing the afternoon teas for the season. Relief for the financial position of the Club as Shrapels reduced the price of electricity by 4 ½d a unit. And printed programmes were donated.

The 1935 season started in October in spite of a grasshopper plague – 16 matches were played, Tanunda winning 8. Tanunda also won the “Ashes” making the score South Park 10, Tanunda 8. Membership had increased to 56 and Electric Light members were encouraged with subscriptions of 10/- ($1) per annum. The Croquet Club again provide the afternoon teas and held bridge evenings for the Club’s benefit.

Click on above image to view 1950s Gallery

Precise and edited version of the history of the Tanunda Bowling Club, unfortunately the necessary records 1936 – 1959 have been misplaced – “The 1959-60 season was highlighted by the decision not to field any teams in the Barossa and Light Association Pennants and the Club be incorporated.

By 1960 the finances were depleted and members were asked for a loan of £5-5-0 each and the Committee decided to again support the Barossa and Light Association pennants. The finances had recovered by 1961 with a surplus of £215-18-8. The Show Society hired the Club House and Croquet Lawn for £3-0-0.

In 1962 the Club requested to the Tanunda District Council that they grant more land so a new green could be started – this came to fruition with an exchange of land, portion of the Croquet Lawn being exchanged for a block near Hage’s.

There was till dissension with the Barossa and Light Association during 1963. However the Club was financially sound. The discussions with the Association continued in 1964, the main topic being the number of teams entered by the Clubs. The subscriptions in 1965 were raised to £7-7-9 and a resolution passed regulating the office of President to two (2) years with elections annually.

1966 saw decimal currency introduced with subs at $16, however Club funds were exhausted in October. The Association made First Division to be four rinks per team.

The Annual General Meeting had to be deferred for two weeks so there were no accepted nominations for President.

The big news in 1968 was that the first discussions took place about new Clubrooms and it was decided to build. A loan of $8000 from the Council was arranged, this was to be repaid at $1,100 per annum for 10 years.

The bar was opened in October 1969 after a Liquor permit had been obtained and the lease with the Council had been ratified.

1970 revealed a lack of finances and as the greens had to be resewn the building plans were put aside.

Throughout 1971 and 1972 the Club’s financial position was the biggest concern but finished the year with a surplus of $737 – the Committee even agreeing to pay travel expenses for pennant teams.

The 50^th Anniversary was celebrated in 1973 although the Club had problems with Second Division forfeits caused by travel problems.

_{To be continued . . . . .} Updated 7 July 2026

Wanted! Historical photographs & Documents