Corinella Bowls celebrates 50 years

CORINELLA Bowling Club celebrated their fiftieth anniversary on the weekend with a few games of bowls in the afternoon sunlight followed by an evening of great food and entertainment. 

A social bowls game called Scrounges was played by members, with local caterer, Chef By The Island, making up delicious platters and finger food.

A few of the past presidents graced the event, with one coming all the way from Deniliquin, and with a few giving speeches about their time at the club. 

The history book that was created for the clubs 25th anniversary, has had an additional 25 years added to it, to celebrate and remember the 50 year milestone. 

The club has about forty bowling members and play Division One and Division Four on Saturdays. 

They are the smallest club in the area for both of those divisions, and that’s pretty good for a small club, according to Steve Bray, Club President.  

Once a year the club has “a state of origin grudge match,” where Corinella versus Coronet Bay. However, Steve said Coronet Bay keeps beating them. 

The club has brand new greens, bowling sheds and seats and a locally inspired beautifully coloured mural painted by local artist Laurie Faulkner on the club’s fence, thanks to grant money of $200,000 from the Bass Coast Shire and Bendigo Community Bank.

The club has become the social hub for many of the local people, now that the Bass Pub has closed, with 70 to 80 people going on for meals and trivia nights.

“We’re a very inclusive club. We We’re not snobs and we invite everyone - kids and families,” said Steve Bray, Club President.

Local entertainer musician Phil Slink entertained the members and their guests into the night and Bass Coast Shire Council representatives helped to celebrate the evening, including Councillors Rochelle Halstead, Geoff Ellis and Claire Le Serve.