HISTORY BY PAM LOADER - CORAKI MUSEUM MID-RICHMOND
History of Coraki Bowling Club
In the late 1940's the local RSL Sub-Branch was looking to purchase land to build a meeting room due to rumoured closure of the School of Arts. The late Mr H.G. Goswell offered to donate land if the RSL build a bowling green. The RSL accepted and in 1950 working bees started preparing the way. The Sub-Branch went as far as they could with the money they had and then decided to call a Public Meeting to form a working Committee to proceed further with the project. A meeting was held at the Public School and a Committee formed. The green was built with much voluntary labour and finally work started on the Club House. Some of the timber came from Nugget Stewart's property and was converted into sawn timber at Os McPhersons mill. Much building work was done voluntarily by Messes Tom Baker, Jack Dolby, plus Bill and Bert Goswell. The weatherboard building was erected on the old butter factory site where the car park is today. The engine blocks proved difficult to remove so the Club House was built over them.
The bowlers started playing in 1952 but the official opening was held in 1953. The first Committee consisted of: President; H. Clarke, Secretary; R. Payne, Treasurer; W. Irwin, Committee Members; S.Eastment, W.Clark Snr., Os McPherson, B.Olsen, T.Baker, A.Dolby, R.Blanch.
The Club was called ''The Coraki & District Memorial Bowling Club''. This was later shortened to ''The Coraki Memorial Bowling Club Ltd'', when the Club became a Company. The Club continued this way until the seventies when the second green was built. In time it was decided to build a new club house between the two greens with easy access to both. The old Club house was sold for removal and is now a private residence on the corner of Allwood and Bridge St. The new Club House was officially opened in 1976.
The Ladies Bowls Club was one of the early ones in the area and commenced in 1953.The first Executive was President; Flo Clifton, Sec/Treasure; Trish Payne. At the time our ladies started there weren't too many ladies clubs. Casino Club didn't allow ladies so they joined Coraki and their husbands joined as Associates and they were a great asset to the Club and many good times were had. Over the years the women have brought many things for the main club, it sadly in 2013 they had to disband owing to the shortage of players.
Farmers' Day bowls on Wednesdays was originally held to allow dairy farmers to attend to between morning and afternoon milking times. In the 1990's lights were put in so twilight bowls could be played.
In the 1990's a synthetic green was installed and this was replaced after storm damage in early 2016. The Club has updated the club house by installing solar power, security camera and alarms. They updated the kitchen and opened a Chinese restaurant which is providing to be a great asses to the Club.
In 1987 a Heartbeats Club was formed, between clubs from Tweed Head to Port Macquarie. The Club is exclusive because each member has undergone open heart surgery. Paul Grill from Coraki is an active member who had open heart surgery at the age of 2 weeks.
In the early days bowls was an older man's game but today it is played by all ages.
HISTORY in tHe words of BILLY BRAYLEY - *CHESNE OLIVE INSERT
History of Coraki Bowling Club
In 1948-49 The Coraki Sub Branch RSL was looking for a plot of land to build a Meeting Hall. Mr H.G (Bert) Goswell offered the Sub Branch a block of land in Richmond Terrace with the proviso that they build a bowling club. This offer was accepted and the land was transferred to the Sub Branch in 1950. The Sub Branch immediately started the ground work for the project.
The land in question had been the site of the old butter factory which closed about 1921. After proceeding as far as we could with the money and the knowledge we had it was decided to call a public meeting at the public school to form a steering committee to proceed with the project, the meeting was attended by many citizens of the area who were experienced bowler who played at Evans Head.
A committee was formed and worked moved into the next stage. The timber for a weatherboard floor house came from Mr Cletus Stewart's property and was proceeded by Mr O.S McPherson at his sawmill. The club house was to be built where the car park is in now and as the old engine blocks of the butter factory were too hard to remove it was decided to put the club house over the top.
The club house was built by Tom Baker, Jack Dolby and Bill and Bert Goswell, they also took care of the painting.
Bowls commenced sometime in 1952 and the official opening took place approx. May 1953.The club at first only operated at weekends .The first executive committee was Mr H Clarke, President, Mr Ray Payne Secretary, Mr W (Bill) Irwin Treasurer.
The first green director was Mr OS. McPherson and the first Green keeper was Mr Gordon Thomas who kept the greens and surrounds in immaculate condition with equipment much more primitive then we have today.
One period that gave us a very big boost was when the Casino Ladies joined the Coraki Ladies Club at the time neither Casino Club allowed lady bowlers, so they joined Coraki and their husbands joined the men's associates.
Quite interesting on a mixed Sunday to see them playing five a side on a number of rinks. They joined in very well with all our activities and to see the Casino Ladies Ballet at our Christmas parties was a sight to behold.
About 1973 because of the number of dairy farmers in the district, the committee decided to try Framer Day Bowls on Wednesdays. This was an instant success and the club received a very welcome boost in numbers. The idea was to start at 11am and bowls would be finished in time to milk.
About this time too it was decided to build a second green. After this green was built it was discovered that the bowlers on the bottom green were to far away from the club house on a big day such as a carnival.
This was eased by taking a panel out of the fence and President Ron Blanch backing his cream truck in with a portable temprite and a tub of ice as a make shift bar.
This novelty was more popular then the main bar and kept us very busy. This then brought in the idea of a new club house.
*The land at the back and side of the bowling club were the club now sits belongs to Chesne and Darrel Olive. It was purchased by them in 1972 from the Priddice Estate. The Bowling Club bought their back block for $1000 plus all cost associated with the purchase. The 'dogleg' part of the land proved to costly to subdivide so Darrel and Chesne gave that small parcel of land to the Bowling Club so access to the car park could be obtained. Chesne Olive believes it was this new clubhouse that helped the residence of the lower side of Carl Clark's to finally get septic to all their houses. Which got rid of the night carter*
Money was borrowed and the new clubhouse was built and was officially opened in November 1976. Since then, as the need arose, their have been varies alterations such as the new restaurant, new office , new toilets and the latest, a new smoking area.
When the new clubhouse was opened and the old clubhouse was sold for removal, the problem of the removal of the engine block was solved by a committee man Ian Bryant, who borrowed a bulldozers and dug a hole and shoved everything in it and levelled it off for a car park.
poem by warren - a visitor to cmbc - wednesday farmers day -
THE FOLK OF CORAKI
Id like to pen a little verse to express appreciation
To all the Folk at Coraki who exceeded expectation,
You opened up your arms ,and heart, and welcomed me inside
I now possess your friendships- and I cherish these with pride.
But step back to the end of March, I ventured through the door
Of The Coraki Lawn Bowling Club Chris Rowsell's who I saw,
He said '' You come back Wednesday- you're sure to get a game''
This invitation set me on--the path to future fame.
And Billy Williams set me up to play the part of 'LEAD'
A challenge I accepted, and I grabbed the part with greed,
But never having bowled before, not ever in my life--
I knew it wouldn't be too long, before I'd end in strife.
Then bowling hints came thick and fast, the boys all played their part
Delivering advice to WAZ, - I took the help to heart,
Until I finally worked it out - the teachers' didnt know
Their left hand from their right hand - or where the bowl should go.
But I'm a real fast learner, and I took in every word
Like the day Old 'JJ' mumbled 'Borra - you're a bloody T-D,
You should come in tighter ,knocked Old Lloyd'y out of play''
I should have had a tape recorder- taping every day.
Let's not forget the ladies - for I played on mixed days too
The only difference being - that- the air was not so Blue,
''Finesse'' was sure explicit - ''Driving'' rarely made the grade
These cunning ladies sure would leave, the men there, in the shade.
There was Lloyd'y, there was Georgie, there was Billy Williams too
Jackie Matt and JJ - just to name a few for you,
Billy Guest and Borra- Tubby, Gazza,what a team
Keith Pollack, Brian, Gordon, and Paul - the talent was a stream
Farmers Day, on Wednesday, was sure a big delight
Players came from far and wide, to carry on the fight,
But Wazza showed them what to do, when lined up 'Ditch to Ditch'
One hundred bloody players -sorting bowls out - which was which?.
And tucker time was magic, Peg and Charlie spread a treat
The Bullshit flowed so thick and fast- you had to lift your feet,
Then after dinner- out we'd go- and start the war again
Some players trading insults- trying to put each off their game.
The tactics varied widely - Snow and Harry - you're a shame
You'd Euchre poor old Jackie Matt - to put him off his game,
But Jack's a crafty critter, as he leans upon his stick
And drops a bowl beside the ''Jack'' - he yells out ''Euchre'' quick.
Friday night was magic - family's turning up for a feed
Georgie dished the goodies up - to satisfy their need,
peg and Iris filled their plates- they didn't give a hang
These two were unbelievable - both too good on the fang.
Eight o'clock was raffles - fifty prizes up for grabs
Meat trays, vegie boxes - pork and corned meat in their slabs,
Wazza won a few times - put the meat in Laurie's freezer
Barb, would cook it up, and dish it up, when e're we need 'er.
Now those of you not mentioned - please don't take it to your heart
Your name has only slipped my mind not the way you played your part,
For making Wazza's stay so great - I bid you all good health
May each day bring you sunshine, and a multitude of wealth.
I have to thank my neighbours, lovely people, one and all
Dawn and Leo Vidler, faced their illness, standing tall,
Barb and Laurie- special - in my heart they're number 'One'
Bette and Annie smiling, everyday, just like the sun.
I wish good health, and blessings, to the Folk of Coraki
Every one a gem which had a sparkle in the eye,
Until our paths should cross again -'tis not the ''Last Hurrah''
And neither is it ''Goodbye'' - this is simply ' Au Revoir''
To Tony and Janette- their little ''China'' plate as well
If you decide to do The Cape - all you have to do is yell,
And I'll come surely running -me and 'China' - he's my mate
Each time I drove into the yard - he'd greet me at the gate.
END
Dedicated to the Fine Folk of Coraki
(P.S --Bill -- don't ever let Borra 'LEAD' again)
