This is a brief chronological history of the people and events 
of the Camp Hill Bowls Club.   

28th August, 1944

A meeting was held at the Camp Hill School of Arts to consider the formation of a Bowling Club in Camp Hill. Twenty- six persons attended. Charles Theaker was elected provisional Chairman and Mr. V. Steele Provisional Hon. Secretary. A motion was moved by Mr. Theaker and seconded by Mr. Greenfield: "That a Bowling Club to be called the Camp Hill Bowling Club, be formed".

Provisional Committees to handle Bowling Green Sites, Finance and Membership were set up and Mr. S. Carter generously offered the club the use of his private Bowling Green until greens could be constructed by the club.

September, 1944

At general meetings, the remaining officer bearers were appointed among whom were:
Patron: Mr. D. Knox
Treasurer: Mr. C. Swartz
Hon. Secretary: Mr. J. Shortt
Games and Green Director: Mr. H. Berg

October, 1944

A resolution was passed unanimously to establish a Camp Hill Ladies' Bowling Club.

February, 1945

The first Annual General Meeting of the club was held at Camp Hill School of Arts with 39 members attending. The following office bearers were appointed:

Patron: Mr. D. Knox
President: Mr. C. Theaker
Vice Presidents: Mr. H. Williams and Mr. S. Carter
Trustees: Messers C. Theaker, S. Carter and Greenfield
Hon. Treasurer: Mr. L. Parker
Hon.Secretary: Mr. J. Shortt
Providore: Mr. H. Duncan
Press Correspondent: Mr. M. Russell
Green Director: Mr. H. Berg
Games Director: Mr. E. Stewart
Hon. Auditor: Mr. A. Aitken
Hon. Solicitor: Mr. J. Robinson
Councillors: Messrs S. Mercer, A. Menzies, J. Robinson, G. Lee and H. Medhurst.

Several sites for the Camp Hill Bowling Green were inspected. A letter was forwarded to the Department of Education requesting permission to lease one and half acres of the Camp Hill school grounds. This request was declined with the Department replying that with the possible future growth of the suburb, the area set aside as a school reserve should be retained. 

April, 1945

At a meeting, the present site for the Camp Hill Bowls Club was chosen and a motion to rescind an earlier choice of land in Mayfield Road was carried. A tender of $892.10 by Thiess Bros. was accepted for the leveling of two greens and the excavation of No. 1 Green. An additional tender for the construction of a road entrance to the greens was accepted. In addition to the usual methods of raising finance, it was decided to raise any additional necessary capital by the issue of debentures to club members.

1946

During 1946, construction work on No. 1 Green and immediate surrounds continued steadily and working bees formed by Club members worked consistently and diligently. In the meantime, Club members had been participating regularly in social games on the private green of Mr. Carter. (This must have been quite a large private green as the photo shows 3 games being played at the same time.)

In January 1946, the first pennant team was chosen and an offer from Wynnum Club that these teams practice on Wynnum Green was gratefully accepted. Three months later, congratulations poured in to Camp Hill Bowls Club after its success in winning the 4th Division Pennant Competition. The club was contacted by the R.Q.B.A. to extend their congratulations and to advise that the feat was unequaled in Queensland for a club to win a pennant competition without having its own green. Plans commenced for the construction of sheds for housing of equipment and soil (in regular use for green renovation).

1947

The official opening of the No.1 Green.

1948 

Plans, specifications and quotes approved for the Construction of No. 2 Green.

Won Men's Third Division Pennant Competition.

1949

On 12 July, the formation of the Camp Hill Ladies' Bowling Club took place. Mrs. Gibson was the foundation President. Membership of the Club stood at 60 by 1950 and at this number membership was closed. 

Early photo of the Camp Hill Ladies Bowling Club Members

1950

Play on No. 2 Green commenced April. Official opening occurred on 18 December.

1955

Won Men's Second Division Pennant Competition.

1956

It was decided that No. 1 Green be known officially as the Charles Theaker Green and No. 2 Green as the David Knox Green as a mark of esteem and affection for these two gentleman who had laboured so well in the interest of the Club.  The double unveiling ceremony held on February 2,1957 was performed by Messrs. Arch Menzies and Charles Theaker.

The official opening of the Charles Theaker green.

Won Ladies QLBA First Division Pennant Competition.

1957

Camp Hill Club members (L-R) Charlie Lancaster, Tom Harmer, Harold Hiley
& Robert McBeath win the 1957 State Fours Championship.

1958

Club member Mrs. A. Grafton elected President of the Q.L.B.A.

Won Men's Second Division Pennant Competition

1959

After several years of planning then constructing, the permanent clubhouse officially opened on March 17 replacing the temporary structure that had served the club so well.

1963

Won Ladies QLBA First Division Pennant Competition.

1965

Won Ladies State Fours.

1967

Won Ladies State Fours.

1969

Club member Mrs D. Arnold elected President of the Q.L.B.A. and to Senior Vice-President of the A.W.B.C.

Mrs. Grafton was elected as patroness of Q.L.B.A. (insert photo).

1970

Selection of Camp Hill greens as the Venue for the Australia V’s South Africa Ladies' Bowls Test.

Photo of the Australian and South African Bowlers prior to the Test match at Camp Hill.

Won Ladies State Pairs Competition.

1973

Won Ladies QLBA State First Division Pennant Competition.

Standing L-R. Alison Morrison, Gladys Parker, Joyce Castner, Thelma Bauer,
Edith Stewart, Mavis Noe, Al Johnston, Edna Pattemore, Win Evans,
Edna Phillipe, Dorrie Arnold, Von Spencer.
Seated L-R. Dol Carey, Hilda Armstrong, Elma Jackson, Iris Bryce (O'Sullivan)
Jean Martin. 

1975

Won Mens RQBA State Second Division Pennant Competition

Standing: Arch Menzies (Patron), N. Fowler, Ced Bradnam, W. Zillman,
D. Street, H. Rowe, Harold Bateman, Norm Greer, N. Hazell, Harold Hiley,
Kneeling: Norm Crisp, A. Wills, Les Carey, N. Marley, Alan Lax (President),
Barry Kedzlie (Secretary), A. Bauer, H. Opperman, Jack Winter, J. Castner. 

1977

Won Ladies State Pairs Competition.

1982

Won Ladies QLBA First Division Pennant Competition.

1985

Won Ladies State Fours Competition.

 

This photo was taken at the Club in the 1980's (Courtesy B. Donaldson)

1995 - Golden Jubilee Year

Combined Committees of C.H.B.C & C.H.L.B.C

Back Row: E. Falk-S.Duncan-L. Bennett-K. Cox-J.Lang-E.Gorring-J.Shipley-R.Smith-D.Maxwell:
Middle: W.Logue-S.Inglis-N.Ferguson-B.Telford-J.Evans-P.Jewell-
J.Lackey-E.Martin-L.Smith:
Seated:E.Gorring-S.Allen-J.Batchelor-K.Peach-J.MacDonald

1996

Won Men's Gateway District Third Division Pennant Competition.

1997

Won Men's Gateway District Second Division Pennant Competition.

Backs - Martin Rees, Chris Ryan, Peter Mitropoulos, John Budge, Allan Hill,
Jack Evans (patron), Allan Kennedy, Ivan Profke, Harold Bateman.
Centres - Tony Ryan, Ken Hill, Trevor Turner.
Forwards - Les Bennett, Peter Whitburn, Len Massey, Mac MacDonald (Pres.)
Keith West, Paul Cooper

1998

Competed in Men's Gateway District First Division Pennant Competition.

Won Ladies QLBA State Veteran Fours

L-R Mary Donnan, Lenore Wiltshire, Joan Guttormsen, Iris O'Sullivan

2002

The Camp Hill ladies ended their 46 year run of competition in Division 1.

In May 2008 the Club presented Life Membership to three
of our finest -  Keith Cox, David Maxwell and Neville Howard

2009

Winners  - Gateway District Ladies Pennants Div 4

Back: B. Donaldson, A. Godwin, J.MacDonald, I. O'Sullivan, M. Donnan, E. Martin
Front: C. Mathieson, J. King (President), J. Payne