Moonee Valley BC turns 60
Moonee Valley Bowls Club recently celebrated 60 years serving the community.
A luncheon event was held in August 2016 which paid tribute to the club’s long history.
The story of the club’s beginning as Ormond Park Bowling Club in 1956 through to the present-day form of Moonee Valley was told in story by many past and present members.
A humble beginning saw the club playing their early years at West Brunswick while the first greens were laid. The first clubhouse was a relocated house donated by Mobil who were building a service station on a block in Essendon.
The club grew through the 1960s with membership peaking at 280.
The nineties saw the club going through tough times as original members grew old.
Fresh blood and a strategy to attract families paid off with the club going from two pennant teams in Divisions 5 and 8 in 2001 to today where sides are fielded in Divisions 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7. as well as mid-week.
Success has followed with six divisional flags in recent years. Today the average age of membership is 47 years with a healthy group of teenagers keeping everyone young.
The highlight of the day was the induction of club stalwart Brian Rennex as a Life Member. Brian has served the club for 20 years holding many offices including President, Chairman of Selectors and club delegate.
His work in growing membership and nurturing of new bowlers is legendary at the club.
Here’s to the next 60 years at Moonee Valley.
