Kilmore Centenary Celebrations
MEMBERS, past and present of the Kilmore Bowls Club were joined by family members and sponsors to celebrate the centenary of the club on Sunday, 12th January, 2020.
After the formalities of raising the centenary flag President Scott Fletcher welcome representatives from Bowls Victoria and Bowls Australia and relatives of deceased life members and past and present members. Scott then invited Bowls Victoria President Barbara Gilbert to address the 100 plus assembled gathering, in her remarks she congratulated the club on achieving 100 years of bowls and wished the club continued success for many years to come.
Centenary chairman Phil Skehan said the day was about everyone who had been involved with the club coming together to celebrate its centenary. A barbecue lunch was prepared by members and food and drinks were available thought out the day for members and guests to enjoy. “There were more than 100 people present and all 7 rinks were used by those wishing to enjoy a game in the pleasant weather conditions. Relatives of life members, past and present, were there and it was about renewing relationships with old acquaintances”, he said. I’d just like to express the club’s appreciation to all the members for being here and for all the people who did the work, especially the centenary committee members, Doug Haynes, Scott Fletcher, Will Hanna and Margo Wood,” Mr Skehan said. “Thank you to the people who prepared the barbecue lunch and the ladies who worked in the kitchen.”
The Formal Centenary Dinner was held at Kilmore “Trackside” in the evening with 116 guests enjoying an excellent meal in the tastefully decorated surrounds. The evening commenced with Centenary Chairman Phil Skehan inviting Club Secretary Doug Haynes to propose the loyal toast.
The toast to Bowls Victoria and Bowls Australia was ably proposed by Club Treasurer Will Hanna. In responding on behalf of Bowls Victoria Tony Sherwill, CEO of Bowls Victoria offered his congratulations on the club achieving 100 years and then presented a Centenary plaque to President Scott, who in his response to the presentation welcomed all present and invited the Mitchell Shire Mayor Cr David Lowe to say a few words on behalf of the Shire.
In responding to the toast proposed by Peter Wood to life members, Phil Skehan on behalf of the life members, present and past, thanked Peter for his kind remarks and commented on how the club and bowls had changed in the 52 years he had been a member. “Like most clubs we have our ups and downs and experienced successful times in the past, but now the batten for our future is in your hands.” he said
Life members, Phil Skehan, Margo Wood and Sheila Margeson were then invited to cut the centenary cake.
To conclude the evening the clubs Centenary Booklet prepared by Phil Skehan with the assistance of Cath Mogridge was distributed to those present. The 60 page booklet contains many highlights of previously unknown facts and documents of the early foundation history of the club to the present day.