GC&M News asks our hinterland’s sporting organisations to tell us a bit about themselves…
By Kirra Livingstone
HAVE you ever wanted to find out more about our various sport clubs in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland?
With our new sports club profile series, GC&M News will introduce local sporting clubs, both big and small, to a wider audience, with the aim to promote grass roots sports in our community.
Our first club of the series will be the Maleny Bowls Club, speaking to secretary Brett Gillis.
Tell us about the origins of your club and a brief history?
Established in 1937 with 85th Birthday celebrations held in 2022 with official naming of The W.H.R. Burnett Green.
W.H.R. Burnett was the publican of Maleny Hotel at the time who donated the land on which the club stands – he also donated the land for the Maleny RSL Club.
What are your goals/aspirations for the year ahead?
We are excited to be expanding our Junior Academy to attract more members from ages 5 to 18 years. We also have plans to expand our monthly inter club competition into a fortnightly event that will include alternative district bowls clubs as well as our regular participants.
Following a very successful 2023 we are hoping to replicate and broaden users of our facilities to include private celebrations, corporate events, sporting groups and local businesses.
Are there any upcoming events the club is excited about?
Launching of our 2024 Junior Academy season occurs in April where we offer free membership that includes use of club bowls and uniforms. We are also looking forward to be entering the Sunshine Coast District Pennants in which we won Division 10 in 2023 after a 10 year hiatus. Annual events Plum Pudding Day, Scottie Fawkes Memorial, Oktoberfest and Come & Try Day are always a highlight of our calendar.
Tell us about your community involvement?
In 2023 we hosted the Maleny & District Fire Services and State Emergency Services (SES) with a complimentary barbeque and barefoot bowls to recognise their amazing efforts in protecting the local and district communities. We also conducted sessions for Maleny State School (Year 6) and Maleny High School (Years 7, 8 & 11) students. Maleny Visitor Information Centre conduct their monthly meetings at our clubhouse and we also have a local sewing/craft group that meets fortnightly at the club.
Are you looking for new members? Why should people join the club and how can they do this?
Lawn Bowls is an inclusive, non contact sport that suits all ages and abilities that is suitable for the entire family. Maleny Bowls Club offers the opportunity for new members to participate socially with barefoot bowls through to competition play for the more serious bowler. We offer junior members pathways to play district, state and national competitions. There are also members who prefer to volunteer their time and efforts to support the various aspects of the club which is very rewarding. Complete an application form (online website or in person) with annual subscriptions being Social Membership $10, Full Membership $90 and Juniors free.
How many members do you currently have and what age groups can join?
Currently we have 29 Full Members, 7 Junior Members and 46 Social Members. We have members from ages 7 to 94 who are active participants so age is no barrier to join.