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Victoria Police Bowling Club (Australia)
The Victoria Police Bowling Club comprises of current and retired members of Australian and Overseas Police Forces with many associate members.This Club is a member of the Victoria Police Amateur Sports and Welfare Society which is an association of all Victoria Police Sporting Clubs.
The earliest records show the Victoria Police Bowling Club was formed in the in 1932. On 30 August 1933, at the first annual general meeting a new constitution and rules were adopted for a club to be known as the ‘Police Bowling Club’. The then Chief Commissioner Major General T.A. Blamey was elected president. There were 32 members of the club. The season closed, however with only 16 financial members
During the 1932-1933 season, a three rink green was constructed at the Police Depot in St. Kilda Road and six jacks (cost 16/3) and 6 rubber mats (cost £3) were purchased. Two of the Police depot staff acted as ‘green-keepers’ and were paid 10/6 each and were made honorary members of the club for their services. Dressing room and afternoon tea facilities were also provided by depot staff. After the green was officially opened by Major General Blamey the first match was played against the West Brighton Bowling Club.
Work continued on the green at the police depot and in 1935 First Constable Lawler of the depot staff was awarded an honorarium of 30/- for his work.
The club continued until 1939-1940 when ‘owing to the international situation’ it was decided to ‘cancel all appointments for the current season’. This effectively spelt the end of the first Police Bowling Club. At the time of its demise the club was associated with Moonee Ponds, Elwood, Windsor-Melbourne, Prahran, Toorak, Brunswick, Brighton, St. Kilda, MCC, Fitzroy and Sandringham bowling clubs.
Responding to press reports that the Police Social Club was again interested in playing bowls Mr. J.P. Monro, secretary of the then Victoria Bowling Association, wrote on 27 June, 1946 offering assistance with the widening of the green at the police depot thus enabling the club to join the VBA and play in pennant matches and other fixtures in the VBA programme.
On 8 October 1946 when, at a meeting was called to reform the club to be known as the ‘Police Bowling Club’.
Mr. McMillan was elected president, the annual fee of 10/- was agreed and there were at least twenty financial members. The season was opened with a game against the retired police on the green at the police depot on 22 October, 1946. Ten police and six retired police attended to wage battle. Unfortunately inclement weather intervened and the game could not be completed.
In 1947-1948 the Chief Commissioner Mr. A. Duncan was elected president. Mr. Cumming and Mr. Allan were elected vice presidents. The club had at least 16 financial members. It was this reincarnation which subsequently devolved into the present ‘Victoria Police Bowling Club, Incorporated’.
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