Happy 70th Anniversary Broadbeach
By Ryan Bester
On Wednesday, September 8 the Broadbeach Bowls Club held the yearly AGM and also celebrated the club turning 70. Chairman Barry Gilbert welcomed all members and some dignitaries, which included Bowls Queensland CEO Brett Wilkie. Barry congratulated the club on an outstanding financial year and how well bowls has been going at the club.
Broadbeach’s first AGM was held on September 9, 1951 at the Broadbeach Surf Pavilion. The first chairman was J Bigelow and it was resolved that the joining fee would be 1 pound 10. When the club opened, the top man was Harry Hood who was well known in the racing game. Harry, like Stan Carter, played many games for Queensland.
The club, after the next World Championship in 2023, will be the first club in the world to host the sports’ two biggest championships – the Commonwealth Games and World Championships. Over the past 10 years Broadbeach BC has almost become the home of bowls and has hosted Commonwealth Games, Asia Pacific Championships, World Under-25 Championships, Trans Tasmans, Multi Nations, The Australian Open, The Australian Sides, Australian Juniors, State District Sides and State Championships.
In 2014 the club became a unified club, with both men and women being very successful on the green. The club has won one premier league title and two “A” premier titles. The Broadbeach ladies have won five of the past six state number 1 Pennant Flags. The men also won two State flags in 2015 & 2017. The club is looking forward to a bright future on and off the green.
