LADIES CLUB HISTORY
The inaugual meeting of Umina Beach Women's Bowling Club was held on 22nd November 1959 at Umina Progress Hall. 17 Ladies under the guidence of President Pauline Ford and secretary Evelyn Peck of the Brisbane Water District Women’s Association [now called Central Coast District Women’s Bowling Association] attended this meeting. The foundation Officers elected were:
President:
Ellen McEwen
Hon. Secretary: Hilda Neighbour
Hon.
Treasurer: Marj Brown
Vice Presidents: Phoebe Barrow & Alice
Richards
President Ellen McEwen [Mac as she was known] was a familiar
figure riding to the club on her bicycle. She gathered a small band
of women around her to get the club functional. Among names
mentioned in the early records are: Mesdames S. Burcher, M.Foley,
A.McLeod, E.Luxton, I.Verell, A.Armstrong, L.Plastlo, M.Johnston, I.Wickerson
[our first Life Member], M.Warnecke, P.Neve, E.Crummy and F.Hook.
First Life Member I Wilkinson
Unlike many other clubs, the men of the Umina Beach Bowling Club
welcomed the women bowlers, even before the completion of the clubhouse.
The first green at Umina wasn't functional until September 1960,
so the Ladies took up an offer from sister club Woy Woy to use their greens for
play.
When the Clubhouse was finally opened, the Ladies had to bring
their own crockery and cutlery to help with afternoon tea, as well as some
appetizing food.
The Official opening of Umina Beach Women’s Bowling Club by NSWWBA
President Mrs E. Luscombe was on 22nd March 1966. Also present was Mrs. Jess
Gallagher, President of the District Association.
The Ladies membership was initially limited to 60 Ladies, but was
increased to 100 in 1969/70. Gradually over the years there was no
restriction on the number of members. The first ‘President’s Day’
was held for President Madge Johnston in 1970. This was the forerunner to
many successful President's Days.
Our Umina Ladies over the years have worked hard for the benefit
of the club but also in raising money for worthwhile Charities. A
very successful Charity Day is held in September each year and money raised is
presented to the Charity of choice for that year. Also at
our Presentation Day/Birthday in November each year we collect donations of
toys which are then given on a rotating basis to St.Vincent de Paul and the
Salvation Army to distribute for Christmas to needy children in the area.
Our ladies have also performed well in District Pennants winning
many flags, our first was a Grade 3 Pennant in 1966. We
have also won many District Championships. Our ladies were, and
still are very keen to enter these events. We have also won the
Bancroft and Lorna Buckworth trophies many times over the years. These
events are played between the four clubs on the peninsula. Umina Beach,
Ettalong Memorial, Everglades and Woy Woy.
BANCROFT TROPHY WINNERS DURING RUTH
WINSER'S PRESIDENCY
UNIFORM
Gradually over the years the dress code has been relaxed by our
State Association. In 2000 we acquired our own club blouse and
jacket. Initially the blouses had a white background
with an emerald green collar. On the front left hand side is our Kingfisher
emblem and on the right hand side is an over the shoulder two tone green rippling
design representing the waters of Umina Beach. The collar of the
shirt was changed to white highlighted with green stripes in
2007. In 2009 we introduced emerald green pants to
match our blouse and jacket.
HISTORY OF MAIN CLUB
Over the ensuing years funds were raised and in 1959 following a club meeting, a section of land in Melbourne Avenue was bought from Gosford Council and at Easter of 1959 with 300 pound in hand the task of clearing the land began. The plant operator took 250 pounds, leaving only 50 pounds to commence operations.
The No.1 green was sited and the back breaking task of forming the area began, mainly with volunteer labour.
The original Clubhouse was a 40 x 20 foot shed built by voluntary labour. This was situated behind Green No. 1.
The first green came into play in September 1960. In 1962 in order to obtain a liquor licence the Umina Beach Bowling and Recreation Club was disbanded and reformed the same day as Umina Beach Bowling Club. After a long struggle, a liquor license was finally granted in October 1964 together with a licence for the operating of Poker Machines.
A second Green had been completed by this time adjacent to No. 1. Green. Further additions were added to the clubhouse and this was officially opened on 6th March 1966.
A third Green was opened in 1970. In March 1972 Umina Beach Bowling Club became "Umina Beach Bowling Club Ltd".
The building has changed over the years with major refurbishments and additions being made in 2000.
In 2006 the Club, due to financial difficulties, was taken over by Merrylands RSL.
The Club Badge was designed by Turf Brown, one of the original members of the Men's Club. The badge highlights the Kingfisher which was prevalent in the area in the early days of the club.
The Kingfisher is centrally positioned with bottle brushes on each side and gold around the top of the badge to signify the golden sands of the nearby beach. The blue area on the side signifies the sea that lapped the golden shores.
When the Badge was presented to visitors in the growing years of the club a little verse was rendered and it went like this:-
You may travel north and you may
travel south
You may travel east or west
But when you return you will say
UMINA BEACH, that is the Best
