It’s Celebration time at Kallangur Memorial Bowls Club

by jgrey on December 1, 2019

By Debbie Henricksen

Members of the Kallangur Memorial Bowls Club are celebrating the renewal of their lease with Moreton Bay Regional Council despite many rumours that the club had already closed. Kallangur remains a proud club and has been operating since 1966.

Like many other bowls clubs, Kallangur has faced financial difficulty. In 2012 the Council agreed to purchase the property to cover the club’s debts and lease the property back to the club on an ongoing five-yearly renewal basis. The most recent lease was signed on April, 28 2015 and expires April, 27 2020.

With this new security and peace of mind, the club obtained Government Grants and over $200,000 worth of improvements were made to the premises with a large part of the work being done by club members volunteering their time. The club continued to grow and flourish.

The club faced issues in March 2017 when the Council published a notice in the Courier Mail asking for expressions of interest to purchase the property where the club stands.

This was the first that the board and members had heard of the Council’s intentions to sell the land,
even though the club’s lease would not expire until April 2020. A spokesperson for the club at the time stated: “We were of the opinion there was an amicable working relationship between both parties.”

“The club is not in financial difficulty and last year the number of members at the club had increased by 12% men and 28% women.” He also pointed out the quality and the value of the improvements the club had made to the premises.

With a petition of 1519 signatures, great support of the local community and Division 7 Councillor Denise Sims, “Kallangur Save Our Club” fought City Hall, so
to speak and won, when councillors voted not to proceed with the sale of the Club.

In May 2019, knowing that the lease was due for renewal in 2020, a committee was formed to go through the application process.

“We knew it was more than just filling out an application form,” Committee Chairperson Ros Clark said.

“Our team put in a lot of effort to gather information and letters of support to point out the features of the club and its benefit both the bowlers and wider community.”

At a recent visit to the club, Mayor Alan Sutherland said that upgrades and renovations to the club over the last three years made it a vibrant place to be.

“The impressive maintenance of the greens is also a real credit to the club’s management,” he said.

“It also explains why the club’s function room is in such hot demand for everything from office parties and birthdays, to club meetings and community networking.

“Kallangur Bowls Club was so much more than just
a bowls club. It is a community hub for a range of local groups, providing them with a important meeting space to socialise and pursue their interests”

When the lease renewal was approved, Mayor Sutherland and Division 7 Councillor Sims visited the

club once again. The new Lease document was presented by Councillor Sims to Chairman Bill Evans. Other Board members and members of the Lease Renewal Committee were there to see their efforts come to a successful conclusion.

The Chairman acknowledged the support shown by club members and members of the local community and in particular Councillor Sims. Now, with the lease renewed for a further five years, until April 2025, the club can continue to play an active part and supply much-needed facilities within the wide area of the Moreton Bay region.

We are definitely open for business, in fact, we never closed. We will continue to compete successfully in the Moreton Bay District, Zone and State competitions. Our weekly Ladies and Men’s games, Club Competitions, Social Bowls and Barefoot Bowls are in full swing.

We heartily welcome members of other clubs to come and enjoy our top-class grass greens and club facilities.

Kallangur Memorial Bowls club is situated at 1351 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur.
You can contact us on 32852267 or www.kallangurbowls.com.au