Off green history

The first public meeting of a group of interested residents of Hampton was held in a church hall on 6th March 1950, to float the idea of forming a Bowling Club.

Thirty-two people attended (including three ladies) all stating their desire and intention of becoming foundation members, if and when a Club was formed. Another public meeting was held at the same venue on 28th April 1950 office bearers were elected, and the venture started in earnest, Hampton Bowls Club was born.

Cr. Tom Duff was first President, Mr. R. Barnett and Mr. A. Hillier were Vice Presidents, with Mr. H. Nankervis as Secretary/Treasurer, and this Committee gathered together a team of eager and dedicated volunteers to build a Clubhouse and lay down a green. In April 1950 the Council agreed to a loan of £3,000, and in June 1950 a debenture issue was raised, with the interest rate at 3%, to provide the necessary finance.

On 22nd May 1951 a meeting was held to initiate the beginning of the Ladies section, with eleven ladies attending ... Mrs. C. Barnett was elected as inaugural Lady President, with Mrs. L. Murdoch and Mrs. P. Best as Vice Presidents, Mrs. H. Pout as Secretary, and Mrs. E. Smith as Treasurer. A General Committee of all other ladies present was formed, and as Associate members the total roll call was thirty-four.

The official opening of the Club took place on 22nd December 1951, with the Ladies Section opening on 8th January 1952.

A second green was opened during 1955, and a third in 1974, with the Clubhouse being extended and a bar licence granted between these dates.

In 1994 the internal structure of the Clubhouse was altered, a Gaming licence granted, and the Rollers Gaming Venue was established, with changes in direction and administration. So in 1996 a Board of Management was formed and the Clubhouse extended once more.

The year 2000 was our 50th Anniversary, and we trust our tradition of excellent greens and warm hospitality will continue for the next fifty years.

On green history

When the Club was established in 1950, there were 28 Foundation members, yet by 1973/74 the membership had grown to 380. This was in spite of the fact that there were 5 or 6 very successful Clubs in close proximity many of them already playing Division 1 Pennant. Hampton has won four major pennant flags, one for the men in 1974/75 and three for the ladies, 1962/63, 1975/76, and 1992/93. Many Hampton members have also enjoyerd successes in Victorian and Australian events. A full list follows of all the special achievements made by Hampton teams and players.

State Players

Over the years the we have had 10 members represent Victoria in State Bowls these are

Men

· Bill Quick represented Victoria 31 times, 6 times in 1967/68, 17 times in 1968/69 and 8 times in 1969/70.
· Brendan McCallum and James Dunne who played Under-18 and Under-19 bowls for Victoria in 2001, 2002, 2003

Ladies

· Edith Mc Kelvie, Spence Kirkland, Ruby Gibson, Myrtle Rimington, Margaret Radford, Kay Cornish, Judy Mackie.

Pennant Competition

Men's Pennant
The men entered 4 sides in pennant 1952/53, the 1st side being in Division 6. By 1961/62, the 1st side were playing in Division 1.

In the season of 1974-75 the men’s A1 team won the white flag. This is the equivalent of winning the Premier League in today’s competition.

In the 2003/2004 season the Men's first division side won the section and playoff in the finals. Unfortunately they were eliminated from the final by MCC who went on to win the Pennant.

Ladies Pennant

The Ladies Pennant side reached Division A1 in 1962/63, and in fact won the top Pennant in that year. They also went on to win the top Pennant again in 1975/76 and in 1992/93.

State Competitions
Men

· State Championship Titles (1967) - State Singles-Equal 3rd.-Bill Quick.

· State Title Championships (1992/93) - State Champion of Champions-Semi-finalist-David Fisher.

· Master Pairs Championship (1993/94) - Winners-Ted Radford, Barry Close.

· State Title Championships (1993/94) - Group 15 Pairs-Winners-David Christie, Barry Van.

· Master Pairs Championship (1994/95) - Winners -Ted Radford, Barry Close.

· Master Triples Championship (1996/97) - Winners-N. Frydman, Ted Radford, Barry Close.

· State Title Championships (1996/97) - Champion of Champions Group 15-Winner-Bob McAuley

· Australian Indoor Championships (2000/01) - State Qualifier-James Dunne.

· Victorian Under 19 team (2002/2003) - Brendan McCallum and James Dunne.

· Victorian Under 25 team (2002/2003) - Brendan McCallum

· State Title Championships (2002/03) - Champion of Champions Group 15-Winner-Brendan McCallum

· State Title Championships (2003/04 & 2004/05) – Group 15 Singles-Winner-Ray Gaunt

· State Title Championships (2004/05) - Champion of Champions Group 15-Winner-Luke Gattuso

Ladies

· A.W.B. 4th. Carnival (1954/55) - Singles-3rd. Edith Mc Kelvie.

· State Championship Titles (1957/58) - State Singles-Winner-Ruby Gibson.

· State Championship Titles (1966/67) - State Proportional-Winner-Spence Kirkland.

· State Championship Titles (1974/75) - Metropolitan Singles-Equal 3rd.-Margaret Radford.

· State Championship Titles (1974/75) - Metropolitan Champion of Champions-Equal 3rd.-Margaret Radford.

· State Championship Titles (1976/77) - Metropolitan Champion of Champions-Runner up-Myrtle Rimington.

· State Championship Titles (1976/77) - Metropolitan Singles-Equal 3rd.-Judy Mackie.

· State Championship Titles (1977/78) - Metropolitan Pairs-Runners up-Nessie Fisher, Margaret Radford.

· State Championship Titles (1979/80) - State Fours-Winners-Lou Gartside,Dot Caldwell,Jean Evans, Rene Whalley.

· State Championship Titles (1979/80) - State Fours-Equal 3rd. Kay Cornish, Margaret Radford, Nessie Fisher, Judy Mackie.

· Master Pairs Championship (1981/82) - Winners-Myrtle Rimington, Judy Mackie.

· Master Pairs Championship (1982/83) - Winners-Myrtle Rimington, Judy Mackie.

· State Championship Titles (1982/83) - State Pairs-Winners-Kay Cornish, Judy Mackie.

· State Championship Titles (1983/84) - State Singles-Metropolitan Winner-Judy Mackie.

· Australia Games (1984/85) - Triples-Silver Medal-Judy Mackie.

· Master Mixed Pairs Championship (1985/86) - Winners-Judy Mackie, Lindsay Mason.

· State Championship Titles (1987/88) - Metropolitan Champion of Champions-Winner-Kay Cornish.

· Master Fours Championship (1987/88) - Winners-Kay Cornish, Margaret Radford, Nessie Fisher, Judy Mackie.

· Master Singles Championship (1989/90) - Winner-Margaret Radford.

· State Championship Titles (1995/96) - State Pairs-Winner-Margaret Radford, Paula Amaconi.

· State Championship Titles (1996/97) - Group 19 Fours-Winners-Joan Alden, Roma Garlick, Margaret Radford, Judy Mackie.

Life Members

The following Ladies have received the honour of Life Membership:

LADIES

Alma Streat*, Edith McKelvie*, Ann Davies*, Jess Casbolt*, Jean Hore*, Jean Evans*, Ruby Gibson*, Ruby Wratten*, Thelma Anderson, Eileen Harvie, Rene Thomas, Gwen Perkins-Stafford*, Margaret Radford, Judy Mackie, Jule Shields, Dot Wake.

MEN

Harry Nankervis*, W.R.Sayers*, W.J.Cahill*, Tom Duff*, Alec Black*, Joe Shields*, L.M.White*, Lou Davies*, Alec Currie*, Norton Burston*, Bill Reilly*, Ted Kilmister*, Bill Quick*, Norm Carr, George Bourke, Tom Church*, Claude Wood, Ted Macnish*, David Sterk*, Phil Wake, Lindsay McLean, Ed Handley*.

*Deceased Life Members.