Weston Bowling Club
'The game of bowls has been played for centuries, weaving friendships and rivalries across the greens, leaving a legacy of laughter and camaraderie that time cannot erase.'
~ Unknown
Embedded Files
Above: Members of Weston Bowling Club - c.1950s
Only two men identified thus far: Back Row: 5th from right: William Allan Collingwood; Second Row: 9th from left: Jim Hutchison
~ Ean Smith
The Weston Bowling Club, located in Weston, New South Wales, was a community lawn bowls venue that featured both men’s and women’s teams. The Weston Bowling Club was more than just a place to roll a bowl—it was a lively community venue where friendships were forged, rivalries sparked, and memories etched into the greens. For decades, the club thrived, hosting countless games and gatherings that brought people together under the open sky. By sharing several photographs, this page helps us remember the happier times once experienced by the members of Weston Bowling Club before its unfortunate demise.
1944 : The club was founded on land donated by Hebburn Ltd., the local colliery company, to support recreational activities in the mining town.
1945: On 11-12 Aug 1945, the Weston Bowling Club gave the greens their first use when they held a progressive rink game.
1945: On 6 Oct 1945, the Weston Bowling Club's first green was officially opened by Mr S. McKensey, Superintendent of Hebburn Collieries and Club Patron.
1946: The Weston Ladies Bowling Club was formed, operating as a separate but affiliated entity.
COUNTRY CHAMPIONS: State Runners-Up, 1947
COUNTRY CHAMPIONS: State Runners-Up, 1947
Above: Country Champions - State Runners-Up, 1947
L-R: E. Liddle, J. McNabb, A. Liddle, W. Collingwood (Skipper)
~ Ean Smith
WESTON BOWLS PRESENTATION - 1960s
WESTON BOWLS PRESENTATION - 1960s
Above: Weston Bowling Club Presentation - 1960s
L-R: Unknown, Angus Gollan, Ernie Norris? Digger Purdie? Mervyn Frame, Eddie Liddell,
Trevor Johns and Cyril Bates
~ Cessnock City Library
WESTON BOWLING CLUB PENNANTS TEAM - 1978
WESTON BOWLING CLUB PENNANTS TEAM - 1978
Above: Weston Bowling Club Pennants Team - 1978
Back Row L-R: "Sarge" Harris, Jack Gould, Dennis Falk, "Bags" McKendry, Murray Lister, John Black, Bill Miller.
Middle Row L-R: Ernie Wells, Eddie Evans, Trevor Jurd, "Skeeta" Wilkinson, Eddie Liddell,
Jack McKinnon and John Strickleton.
Front Row L-R: Joe Medcalf, Cyril Bates, "Banjo" Paterson, Herbie Bartlett, Mark Patterson.
~ Ean Smith
Above: The sign above the gate at Weston Bowling Club NSW
Right: Weston Bowling Club member, Mervyn Frame (1912-1968): early 1960s
~ Frame Family Collection
Above: Weston Bowling Club Members - c. late 1970s-80s?
~ Glennis (Wilkinson) Gray
Women thought to be in the photograph include: Ann McFall (President of Hunter River District Women's Bowling Assoc. for 25 years) front row far right; Judy Lamb (centre front, not in uniform); Hilda Liddell; Dulcie Sykes; Jenny Dixon; Martha Harrod; Janet Marriott; Elsie Myers and ? Vi Pate.
Above: Part of Weston Bowling Club can be seen in the background of this sign - 28 April 1980
The sign is pointing to Hebburn Wagon Shop, located at Hebburn No.1 Colliery.
~ Ed Tonks
WESTON LADIES BOWLS TEAM - 1996
WESTON LADIES BOWLS TEAM - 1996
Above: Weston Ladies Bowls Team Celebrate 50th Anniversary -1996
~ Tom Sneddon
Mid-to-Late 20th Century: The club served as a social hub for the Weston community, frequently hosting lawn bowls competitions and events.
1996: On 15 Aug 1996, the Weston Ladies Bowling Club celebrated their 50th Anniversary.
Above four photographs: Bowls day for the Abermain Hawks at Weston Bowling Club - 1996
~ HOGpics
With special thanks to Darren Carberry
2001: Disbandment of Women’s Team. Facing declining membership, the Weston Ladies Bowling Club disbanded on October 30, 2001, after 56 years of operation.
2005: The main club (including the men’s team) continued until 2005, when it was forced to shut down after a joint investigation by NSW Police and the Department of Gaming and Racing uncovered mismanagement. Members of the Bandidos motorcycle gang had been elected to the board, sparking fears of illegal activities on site and non-compliance with registered club laws.
Police raid closes club overrun by bikie gang
By Alan Hardie - The Maitland Mercury (NSW Suburban, 23 June 2005)
A Sydney police squad has raided a bowling club at Weston that became a Bandidos bikie haven, arresting four people and seizing 15 firearms and drugs. Read more...
The Weston Bowling Club, once a tranquil meeting place for older people, was gradually infiltrated by Bandidos motorcycle club members, police alleged yesterday.
Police from the Gang Squad and officials from the Department of Gaming and Racing swooped on the club in Elford Avenue on Thursday.
Two members of the Bandidos motorcycle club were arrested, as were two club associates.
The bowling club was closed for 72 hours - and a closure may be sought for another six months. Several people living in the area were delighted at the police raid.
They told the Mercury yesterday that they have been living in fear since the bikies slowly began moving into the club.
"The place was like a bee hive on some weekends - with well over a hundred motorcycles roaring about," said one resident, who declined to be named.
Detective Superintendent Nick Kaldas, commander of the Gang Squad, said: "The activities of the Bandidos at the club came to our notice and we began investigating.
"The Bandidos didn't just take over the club - it was infiltration done by stealth."
He revealed that the president of the Weston Bowling Club board was also president of the Hunter Valley Chapter of the Bandidos.
"We have identified a number of people allegedly involved in criminal activity," Det Supt Kaldas said.
"We will continue to monitor the activity of the Bandidos.
"They will need to go somewhere now."
A total of 15 firearms were seized in the club raid, ranging from hand guns to shotguns and shortened firearms, State Crime Command media liaison officer Daniela Ongaro said.
She said a quantity of amphetamines was also seized.
It is believed the Weston Bowling Club is the first registered club to in NSW to receive a closure order on the grounds of being a "risk of serious offences'.'
One resident described the police raid as "the best thing that's happened around here in a long time".
The elderly man said: "I remember the days - about 18 months ago - when I would enjoy walking to Kurri Kurri.
"But since the bikers moved into the club, I've been too scared to do that."
A woman who lives nearby said: "Bikers would arrive from everywhere on weekends.
"I remember the days when lovely old ladies who had been members at the bowling club for years began staying away."
Police said two members of the Bandidos club had been arrested and faced charges of conspiring to supply amphetamines and cultivating cannabis, as well as conspiracy to supply drugs.
Two associates of the motorcycle club were also arrested and faced various charges.'
Merger considered::
2006: The ABC reported 19 Jan 2006:
Bowling clubs consider Weston merger
At least five Hunter Valley clubs have expressed an interest in amalgamating with the Weston Bowling Club, which was forced to close last year due to concerns about how it was being run.
A joint investigation involving the Police and Department of Gaming and Racing found members of the Bandidos motorcycle group were on the club's board, raising concern about illegal activity on the site.
A community meeting will be held tonight to discuss its future.
Newly appointed administrator Paul Gidley says many local clubs still see the Weston Bowling Club as a viable asset.
" I think it's more aimed at first of all, you can become the main club in the area having all the members, but secondly and more importantly improving your balance sheet," he said.
"Weston has a little amount of debt and substantial hard assets in the form of land and buildings and the poker machine titles."
Closure & Liquidation:
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette
Private Notices: 566
No. B10 Tuesday 14th March 2006
Corporations Act 2001
Section 446A(5)(b)
NOTICE OF WINDING UP AND APPOINTMENT OF LIQUIDATOR
WESTON BOWLING CLUB CO-OPERATIVE
LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION)
A.B.N. 58 482 684 810
Notice is hereby given that at a meeting of creditors of the above Co-Operative held on 17 February 2006, it was resolved that the Co-Operative be wound up pursuant to Section 439C(c) of the Corporations Act 2001 and that Mr Paul William Gidley of Lawler Partners Chartered Accountants, 763 Hunter Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302 be appointed as Liquidator.
Dated thisb7th Day of March 2006
P. W. GIDLEY
Liquidator
Lawler Partners
Chartered Accountants
763 Hunter Street, Newcastle West NSW 2302
BPN049026
Despite interest from at least five nearby Hunter Valley clubs in a potential merger to acquire its assets (including land, buildings, and poker machine entitlements), members voted unanimously in early 2006 to liquidate instead. Approximately $400,000 in assets were donated to charities, marking the club’s full dissolution.
Above: The burnt out ruins of the former Weston Bowling Club - November 2008
~ Ean Smith
Abandonment & Fire:
A former Weston fireman told of several callouts to the former Weston Bowling Club building, but it was the fire in November 2008 that saw its final destruction. It was reported on 5 November 2008:
Firefighters from Weston, Kurri Kurri, Abermain and the Duty Commander responded to a fire in the old bowling club in Elford Street, Weston early this morning. On arrival fire crews reported that the building was engulfed in flames and immediately started to contain the blaze. Crews battled the blaze from outside the building as it was not safe for firefighters to enter as most of the roof had collapsed. The fire was extinguished in less than two hours and investigations are continuing into the cause.
NBN News in their reporting on 5 Nov 2008 stated:
ARSON ATTACK ON DISUSED BOWLO | NBN News
Police are investigating a suspicious fire that gutted an old bowls club at Weston. The outbreak began at around 1.30 this morning, and had engulfed the building by the time firefighters arrived. The blaze caused at least $100,000 damage to the uninsured building.
Deregistration:
NSWGG. 2008.9.26.G123
GOVERNMENT GAZETTE
OF THE STATE OF
NEW SOUTH WALES
Number 123
Friday, 26 September 2008
Published under authority by Government Advertising CO-OPERATIVES ACT 1992
Notice under Section 601AC of the Corporations Act 2001 as applied by Section 325 of the Co-Operatives Act 1992
NOTICE is hereby given that the Co-operative mentioned below will be deregistered when three months have passed since the publication of this notice.
Weston Bowling Club Co-operative Limited.
Dated this 19th day of September 2008.
C. GOWLAND,
Delegate of the Registrar of Co-operatives
Above: A return to nature - Kangaroos grazing the former Weston Bowling Club site in Weston NSW - 2025
~ Les Bender
Though the old Weston Bowling Club is no longer, there may be some folk who still remember the good times, the laughter and connections it fostered over the years. The club house and greens may be gone, but the memories of skilful shots, shared cheers, and quiet moments of camaraderie will linger on for some time to come.
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