The Echo

Locals are upset with the news that the RSL-owned Katoomba Bowling Green in North Katoomba is closing down, although there has been no official announcement to the wider membership of the RSL.
“We were called in for a meeting on June 2nd,” said Bowling Club president, Merle Campbell. “At the meeting we were told that the club was closing on July 31st. We were given three reasons. I asked them for a copy of the statement. Ray McLaughlin said he would pass it on to us.”
When Bowling Club member Chris Semmler went to the RSL to collect the statement on the 30th June, she was told that it would not be given out.
Without this information, people are left to speculate about what is happening. Nobody is quite sure when the club is closing, or whether they will have any say in its future.
“I’ve got people in limbo, waiting to join,” said Merle, sadly.
The Bowling Club has been a part of the Katoomba community for 99 years. Before it started to trade as the Katoomba Bowling and Recreation Co. Ltd in August 1915, the community held an “All Nations Fair” to raise money for the project. The history book published by the Bowling Club in the sixties makes a very specific mention of the enthusiasm of the Ladies’ committee, when it came to raising the funds required!
It seems the ladies are still very much at the heart of this busy community, and anxious to ensure that the club will survive. Even on a cold, wet, wintery day, the club is a hive of activity. There are bowlers on the Greens, lots of people in the clubhouse and morning tea being served.
“Everyone works together here” says long time member, Gwen Marvin.
The Bowling club members are very concerned for many of the older people who bowl here. It is very important to keep active as we age, and the bowling facilities are terrific for giving people the opportunity for gentle exercise, and for lots of contact and support from those around them.
“There are people who have bowled here for years, and rely on the companionship. If this goes that will be it for them – they aren’t well enough to travel to another green.” Said Gwen.
The members of the bowling club have expressed their concerns to the wider community, especially to the members of the RSL. The directors of the RSL were petitioned on the 9th of June to hold a general meeting to vote on 12 resolutions.
If you are interested in the fate of the bowling club, or wish to be kept up to date with developments, there will be an information night each Wednesday at both 4.30pm and 7.30pm at the Bowling Club, in Dora St, Katoomba, until the General meeting is called.
The Echo has contacted the RSL, but they declined to comment.