== Lawn Bowling in Australia
==
This article describes the history, development and current status of the game or sport of lawn bowling. A description of the sport and its European history are included in Bowls. That article notes that the game is variously referred to as "bowls", "lawn bowls" or "lawn bowling".
It is claimed that the first bowling green in the Southern Hemisphere was constructed about 1840 on Norfolk Island (an external territory of Australia located in the Pacific Ocean between New Zealand and New Caledonia) near Government House.
Perhaps ignorant of the game on Norfolk Island, others believe that bowls began in Tasmania, and Australia, with a game at the Beach Tavern, Sandy Bay, in 1845. Interest lapsed, however, and bowls was not recognised as a sport until the formation of the Launceston (1883) and Hobart (1891) Bowling Clubs [1]. In 1901 the Tasmanian Bowling Association was formed.
Bowls Australia reports that there was a bowling club in Aberdeen, NSW in 1848. Balmain Bowling Club began in 1887. North Sydney Bowling Club began in 1888 at St Leonards Park.Lowlands Bowling Club was founded on September 21st, 1892, making it the oldest active registered club in the greater Newcastle region. Rathmines Memorial Bowling Club (NSW) was formed in 1894,
In 1878 NSW Association became the first bowling association in the world
There is a detailed history of bowling clubs in Victoria at Lawn Bowls Australia In 1852 one thousand spectators paid to watch a match at the Bowling Green Hotel green between civilians and the military. In 1864 Melbourne Bowls Club was formed and is now the oldest existing bowling club in Australia. In the same year, clubs were formed at Ballarat, Fitzroy and, and the first bowls made in Australia were turned by Mr Alcock, Russell Street, Melbourne.
In the next few years, many new clubs were formed in Victoria; 1865 - St Kilda, City of Melbourne 1868 - Carlton, Learmonth, Richmond 1872 - Buninyong, Cambridge College Club,(Private Club) 1873 - South Melbourne, Creswick In 1880 the first Women’s bowls match played in Australia took place at Stawel, Victoria. In 1907 the first Women’s Bowls Association was formed in Australia.
The first game of bowls in South Australia was played on a green put down by Andrew Thomson at Kapunda 1876. Adelaide Bowling Club was founded in 1897 and is the oldest bowling club in South Australia.
In 1878 Brisbane Bowls Club formed with the green situated in the Botanic Garden). This club subsequently became Booroodabin Bowls Club.
In 1895 Perth Bowls Club was formed. Clubs followed at Fremantle and Gnowangerup in 1896 and at Shark Bay in 1897. In 1898 the Western Bowling Association was formed. Albany Bowling Club was formed in 1899.
Canberra City Bowling Club (ACT) 1930
Bowls Australia has published details of the beginnings of many more clubs in Australia.
In 1880 the first match between colonies, states, dominions or countries was played between NSW and Victoria at Kentville (NSW) Formation of Australian Bowls Council 1911
British Commonwealth Empire Games held in Sydney 1938
AWBC (Women’s National Championship) held in Brisbane, QLD. 2,300 entries 1963 Australia visited South Africa, 3 test matches played, won by South Africa 2-1. 1964
First World Bowls Championships played at Kyeemagh Bowls Club (NSW). Conducted by RNSWBA for the ABC with Ampol Petroleum Ltd, as the sponsor. Games televised. Series trophy-the W.M. Leonard Trophy won by Australia. Australia won Gold Medals in Pairs and Triples and a Silver Medal in the Fours. 16 countries competed. Australian players were, J.M.Dobbie (Vic) – Read more., A.Johnson (NSW), G.Kelly (NSW), D.Collins (SA), A(Bert) Palm (QLD), Manager W.J.(Jack) Spear (Vic) – 1966
The World Bowls Championships had major TV coverage of bowls in Australia and encouraged the development of the ABC television series, Mazda Jack High. The series, planned for the long term, brought together four top Australians against four leading overseas contenders. Fourteen episodes and fourteen repeats were televised 1980
Brisbane hosts Commonwealth Games.1982
First Australian Indoor Championship held at Tweed Heads Stadium, won by D.Dalton (NSW).1988
Australian best ever performance at Commonwealth Games winning three gold medals. Rob Parrella – Men’s Singles. Ian Schuback and Trevor Morris – Mens Pairs and Women’s fours1990
Australian Bowls Council adopts new corporate name and becomes Bowls Australia Inc. Delegates reduced from three to two for the six States and one each for ACT and NT.1991
Australia wins Gold Medal in men’s pairs at Commonwealth Games. Rex Johnston and Cameron Curtis, youngest ever gold medal winner at 23 years of age.1994
Contract secured with ABC TV and Fox Sports who guarantee over 30 hours of free to air and 70 hours of pay TV for the sport.1998
Bowls Australia successfully staged the inaugural Australian Open at the Yarraville-Footscray bowling club from 15-19 March.2005
In conjunction with the Australian Open, Bowls Australia together with AUSRAPID hosted the inaugural Australian Bowls Classic for bowlers with an intellectual disability 2005