by Rosemary Phillis
Photos: Riverstone Bowling Club photo album held at the Riverstone Museum.
This article starts with a speech on the early years written by Mavis Lane. With the assistance of Jo Flook, Noreen Parrott, Jan Dickinson and Maureen Imms, along with information recorded on Honour boards and in record books, I was able to compile the information and bring the history up to the closure of the club 2013.
On 18th September 1957, a meeting was called of all women interested in the formation of a Women’s Bowling Club in Riverstone. The meeting was held in the Riverstone Bowling & Recreation Club, who had expressed a willingness to see a club formed. It is recorded in the minutes of this meeting that eight women attended, and the following accepted office:
| President | Mrs S. Connolly | |
| Vice Presidents | Mrs E. Harris (Senior) | |
| Mrs M. McCutcheon | ||
| Mrs A. Vincent | ||
| Secretary | Mrs M. Simmons | |
| Treasurer | Mrs M. Wiggins | |
| Bowls Organiser | Mrs E. Deranja |
The eighth foundation member was Mrs M. Wormleaton.
Affiliation fees for the new Club were paid to the N.S.W.W.B.A. on 31st October 1957.
Official Opening, President’s Day and 4th Birthday were jointly celebrated on 19th October 1961, when Mrs Pattison, then State President attended with three of her ladies, but there is no record as to who they were.
The dedication of the previously mentioned Foundation Members cannot be overlooked, for it is due to their hard work, foresight, and determination that we have the successful club we have today.
A special Founders Day was held on 21st March 1974, when the Club was privileged to have five of these women present, and a small token of gratitude was presented to each of them.
Originally, it had been intended to restrict Membership to 30, but in November 1957, an unsuccessful move was made to increase this to 64. It was not until October 1960 that the Men’s Club allowed us to have 40 members, stating at the time, that a further increase would be considered when additional green space became available. At the present time, there is no restriction. Numbers continued to rise steadily, and in view of the fact that the neighbouring Blacktown Bowling Club did not accept women, our membership consisted of a number from that area, reaching 65 in 1963, when several of these members applied for Clearances, to form the Blacktown Women’s Bowling Club. However, the good relationship has continued with our sister club, and a Trophy Silver Teapot, donated by Pat Hayden (Blacktown) and Eileen Johnston (Riverstone) is competed for annually, to ensure that the friendship continues. This Teapot is used on the President’s Table on the day on which it is played for.
In April 1965, the Riverstone Bowling & Recreation Club moved from temporary premises to the present up-to-date clubhouse, and the Women’s Club made themselves responsible for the complete furnishing of the ladies section of the new building. To celebrate our first function in these surroundings, we held a “Friendship Day” in our new clubhouse, on 13th May. At our President’s Day and 8th birthday, on 28th October of the same year, we were honoured by a visit from Mrs Luscombe, State President of N.S.W.W.B.A. who was accompanied by State Treasurer, Mrs Starr and Mesdames P. Morrison and E. Fortescue of the Historians Committee.
At our 18th birthday in 1975 special guests included State President Lorna Atkinson who was accompanied by Mesdames J. Cutting, H. Henry and E. Walker.
Foundation member and past President Ellen Deranja was awarded our first Life Membership in 1976; this recognition has also been granted to Eva Mangold (1978) Mavis Lane (1979), Helen Gosden (1990) and Mary Buerckner (1994).
Our 25th Birthday in 1982 saw N.S.W.W.B.A. represented by State President Jean McKinnon, together with Mesdames E. McDonald, V. Withall and Camboux. For our 30th Celebrations State Vice President Mimi Frost represented headquarters and State Vice President Joan Ollivier was their representative at our 35th.
In 1985, the N.S.W.W.B.A. commenced negotiations to form district associations and we became one of twelve clubs in the Mitchell district; the inaugural meeting taking place on 23rd May 1986, at Wentworthville Bowling Club. We have been represented at Mitchell district by June Crawford inaugural Vice President and later, Lorna Webb (President) and Social Committee members Jan Stacey and Mary Buerckner. Mary has also been selected as a player in a number of matches at both District and Group level.
Despite small membership, Riverstone have always been able to field a Pennant side; and were successful in 1979 as section winners in No.3 Metropolitan Pennants; more recently a No.4 came our way and in 1991 we had the honour of receiving a No.3 flag from our District President. The following year we were successful in Wolinski Shield at District Level. We have been honoured to have had our dear friend Mabs Sinnett as patron since 1957, (surely a N.S.W.W.B.A. record!!). May Perkin and Marj Watson having served for shorter periods.
At our Annual General Meeting in June 1997, Eileen Gould (affectionately known as “Bunty”) and Helen Gosden were invited to join Mabs in this position and it is to our great pleasure to know they have accepted.
Membership remained static for a number of years, but thanks to promotion days held on Club premises, we have gained a number of younger women whose interest and enthusiasm augers well for the future.
A history of our club would not be complete without mention of our Birthday Rose Bowl. This beautiful silver bowl was purchased by our early members – the club being then just two years old, and each President Day / Birthday a plaque is placed on the plinth recording the date, Club age and the number of members in that particular year. We pay tribute to the far sightedness of our early members, in providing us with such a beautiful record of our club’s progress and commend them for their thoughtfulness.
Mavis Lane. October 1997
In 2008 Jo Flook kindly provided updated information on the history of the club to follow on from the article by Mavis Lane.
1997-8: President: Mary Buerckner, Vice Presidents: Helen Gosden and Mavis Lane. They were our life members.
1998-2000: President: Beverly Rosa, Vice Presidents: Eileen Walsh and Pauline Wilson.
1999: The 4s Pennants team made up of 8 ladies played against the District teams. 4s Pennants team players. Leads: Jo Flook and Deanna Tuck; Seconds: Noreen Parrott and Pauline Wilson; Thirds: Margaret Crouch and June Kennington; Skips: Deby Brien and Eileen Walsh. We won the flag, then played and won the zone. We played to State and reached the semi finals.
2000-03: President Pauline Wilson resigned during her office and Joyce Ferris took over. Vice Presidents: Noreen Parrott and June Kennington.
2000: 3s Pennants team won the District flag, but lost in the zone play off.
Members of the team were the same as the 4s but Jan Dickinson skipped in place of Eileen Walsh.
2001: 2s Pennants team won the district flag and the zone play off but were defeated by Casino in the quarter final at State level. 2s team changed leads Carol Notly and Sue McGill; seconds Pauline Wilson and Jo Flook; thirds Noreen Parrott and Margaret Crouch; Skips: Jan Dickinson and Deby Brien.
2002: 1s Pennant team got as far as the District semi finals. Leads C. Notly and S. McGill; seconds D. Tuck and J. Flook; Thirds: E. Walsh and L. Whipp; Skips: J. Dickinson and N. Parrott.
2003-04: Joyce Ferris still President and Vice Presidents were Joy Macintosh and Eileen Walsh.
2003: The 1s pennant team didn’t do too well, but were good enough to be kept as Number 1 players.
2004: Riverstone had two teams that won District, our 4s and 1s.
4s team leads: Pat Midolo and Toni Taylor; seconds J. Macintosh and D. Tuck; thirds: Robin Mulligan and J. South; Skips: E. Walsh and Val Hodge.
The 1s went on to win the zone, but lost in a count back at State level.
Leads: C. Notly and L. Whipp; seconds J. Flook and N. Parrott; thirds: J. Dickinson and M. Crouch; Skips: Dee Carter and Beryl Hulett.
Beryl Hulett won club singles and the District champion of champions.
The District triples was won by M. Crouch, D. Carter and B. Hulett.
2005-2006: President: June Kennington Vice Presidents: W. Walsh and N. Parrott.
2005 1s pennant team won District and zone and lost at State level.
Leads: C. Notly and S. McGill; seconds: N. Parrott and A. Gosden; thirds Jan Dickinson and M. Crouch; Skips: D. Carter and B. Hulett
Back Row: Jan Dickinson, Alma Schoffel, Margaret Blikslager, June Crawford, Lorna Webb, Mary
Buerckner (President), Helen Gosden, Mavis Lane, Val Voysey, Eileen Martin, Betty Ewers, Elsie Jones.
Front Row: June Kennington, Jean Foreman, Eve Cleary, Heather McCarthy, Madge Chitty, Miva
Schofield, Kate Pead, Doris Saunders, Margaret Christie, Dulcie Kitching, Sandra McKern, Rita Wallace
Left to right: Jan Dickinson, Dianna Tuck, Margaret Blikslager, Noreen Parrott, Joyce Ferris,
Eileen Walsh, June Kennington. Jan and June were the skips of the team.
Photos: Riverstone Women’s Bowling Club – donated to the Historical Society.
Because of a decline in membership numbers after 2004 we had the 1s Pennant team only.
2006-07: Same president and one new vice President: Sue McGill.
Still a 1s pennant team; leads: C. Notly and J. South; seconds Betty Howden and S. McGill; thirds: B. Hulett and N. Parrott; Skips: Jan Dickinson and M. Crouch.
2007-08: Joy Macintosh became President; Sue McGill and Joan South Vice Presidents.
In 2007 year the club had its 50th Anniversary, marked with a visit from our state Vice President, Jewel Buchanan and District President, Delma Scott. The life members were Mavis Lane, Helen Gosden and Mary Buerckner. Patron Helen Gosden. Sadly patron Eileen Gould passed away on the 15th of September this year. Eileen had been a member since 1960 and was treasurer for many years, she was club patron for 10 years.
The club still uses the rose bowl and it had pride of place at the clubs 50th anniversary.
2007: 1s pennants won this District flag and the zone, but lost once again at State level. Leads: J. South and C. Notly; seconds: J. Flook and B. Howden; thirds: B. Hulett and N. Parrott; skips: J. Dickinson and M. Crouch.
The following information was obtained from the Honour Boards on the walls at the Riverstone Bowling Club; the Riverstone W.B.C. results book; Jan Dickinson and Maureen Imms, who was the last President of the Club.
2008-2009: President, Joy Macintosh, Secretary, J. Flook, Treasurer, B. Howden, Bowls Secretary/Organiser, J. Dickinson.
2008: James Wall Shield, district level. C. Notley, J. South, M. Crouch and B. Hulett. Also won James Wall Play off at Concord on 15th and 16th July 2008.
District Triples: Won by C. Notley, M. Crouch and B. Hulett, who also won Mitchell group play off.
District Fours: Won by C. Notley, J. South, M. Crouch and B. Hulett. Reached final at State Level (runners up).
There were over 60 bowlers in the Metropolitan Squad 2008, Beryl Hulett was chosen to play. Carol Notley was chosen in the N.S.W. squad for 2009, to play in Catrina Wright team.
2009: President, Joy Macintosh, Secretary, J. Henson, Treasurer, J. Flook, Bowls Secretary/Organiser, J. Dickinson.
2009: Sydney 2009 World Masters Games. Ladies pairs winners were Riverstone W.B.C. Members J. Henson and J. Dickinson. Gold Medal winners.
2010-2011: President, J. Dickinson, Secretary, J. Henson, Treasurer, E. Nelson, Bowls Secretary/Organiser, N. Parrott.
2011-2012: President, M. Imms, Secretary, J. Henson, Treasurer, L. Graham, Bowls Secretary/Organiser, N. Parrott.
2012: Pennant Team No. 2. L. McHenery, M. Coveney, J. Henson, J. Dickinson, L. Graham, J. Burrows, C. Notley and N. Parrott, Reserve: D. Murray. Won District Pennants 2012.
Pennant Team No. 4. G. Harris, F. Finniss, P. Petterson, M. Imms, Y. Moretti, V. Plummer, L. Stone, F. Goodship. Reserves: T. Taylor. Runners up 2012.
Left to right: L. Graham, J. Burrows, C. Notley, N. Parrott, J. Dickinson,
J. Henson, M. Coveney, L. McHenery. Photo: Noreen Parrott
2012-2013: President: Maureen Imms, Secretary: Yolanda Morretti, Treasurer: Lynne Graham, Bowls Secretary/Organiser: Florence Goodship, Vice Presidents: Pauline Pedderson and Toni Taylor. Selectors: Lorraine Stone and Val Plummer. Social Committee Chair: Gayle Harley.
2013: Riverstone fielded a No. 1 and No. 4 Pennant Teams in their final year of competition.
The final Championship winners at Riverstone were:
Major Singles: L. Graham. Runner Up: L. Stone. Minor Singles: J. Burrows.
Pairs: N. Parrott – L. Graham; Triples: L. McHenery – M. Coveney – Y. Moretti.
On 24 October 2013 the women celebrated their last President’s Day. A small snippet in the WBNSW Women’s Bowls Magazine of January February 2014 reported: This special day was attended by Club Patron Katie Pead, and two of its life members – Jan Dickinson and Eileen Walsh and past President Joy McIntosh. The highlight of the day was the cutting of the cake celebrating this Club’s 57th year….
The Riverstone Bowling Club closed on 30 November 2013, bringing to an end 56 years of women’s bowls at Riverstone and leaving memories of many years of sporting fun, friendship and success.
With thanks to Jo Flook, Noreen Parrott, Jan Dickinson and Maureen Imms for their assistance with providing information for this article.
