While searching through the NLA old newspapers (online) I came across this small article in the Townsville Daily Bulletin 27 May 1949 Page 2:

The above was the results of the previous Tuesday’s bowling competition, one of the players being Abraham Wilson.  So he played bowls!  More information on how he lived his life.  I hoped to see Emily’s name (his wife) in the list too, but I could not find her, so I don’t know if she played bowls as well.

I had a look at some history on the South Townsville Bowls Club, which was also in the Townsville Daily Bulletin:

1946 – The North Queensland Bowling Association proposed creating a bowls club in South Townsville, as the main Bowls Club, the Townsville Bowling Club was becoming ‘overcrowded’.  At the meeting, Mr Melvin said:

“(the meeting of people on the green was a great thing. They could forget their worries, get to know one another better and realise what others were like. The bowling green was important in as much as it created friendship among residents and players, and also attracted players from other districts. This was excellent socially as well as financially. No bowling club on democratic lines had ever failed ” said Mr. Melvin.

And so it was agreed to create the Club at Victoria Park South Townsville.   Messrs W. Conn, G. Clark and F. Feather were appointed trustees.

21 February 1947 – The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported the progress of the build of the Bowling Club:

“…..formerly a portion of South Townsvllle’s saltpan is now rapidly assuming shape as a new bowling green. – The Townsville City Council co- operated to the fullest extent by granting an area of Victoria Park as  a site for the new green, and boring operations for water commenced with in a week of permission being granted. So far the bore is down 37 feet but the saline content cannot be as certained under present methods. It is the committee’s intention to procure bore casing to use in the bore hole in an attempt to seal off the salt water. Only those who have attempted to bore 87 feet into the earth’s surface with a 4-inch postbole tool can appreciate the efforts of those Sunday morning enthusiasts in their quest for an adequate water supply. The City Council hired to the club a plough and scoop for the preliminary levelling of the playing surface, after which 3000 feet of agricultural pipes were imbedded in the clay sur face for drainage purposes. Some hundreds of yards of river rubble and sand have been spilled over and levelled the foundations…….”

As it turned out, they did not find water under the Bowls Club, and ended up running pipework across Victoria Park to the Wireless Station (where bore water was located).

13 May 1947 – the Townsville Daily Bulletin reported that some Bowling members had played the first games on the new green.  This was not the ‘official’ opening, but to test the green:

“….After a very enjoyable afternoon’s bowls, the general consensus of opinion was the green was somewhat heavy but would roll out to a true surface by the date of the official opening…..”

16 May 1947 (Townsville Daily Bulletin)

“The Mayor stated that he had received an invitation from the South Townsville Bowling Club for aldermen end himself to attend the official open Ing of the green on June 1, at 2 p.m.”

29 May 1947 (Townsville Daily Bulletin)

“The South Townsville Bowling Club’s green will be officially opened by the N.Q.D.B. Association President (Mr, J. Taate) on Sunday afternoon. A President’s rink from the North  Queensland District Bowling Association, Bowen, Nooria (?), Ayr, Hughenden, Charters Towers, Townsville, Suburban, Cutheringa and South Townsville Clubs, will compete in friendly competition during the afternoon, and it is confidently expected that Leichhardt (Mt. Isa). Home Hill, Ingham, Collinsville and Proserpine Clubs will also be represented. At 1.00 pm the official ceremony will take place. An enthusiastic band of lady helpers have arrangements well in hand to ensure the success of the social side of the function.”

1 June – The Townsville Daily Bulletin reported the opening of the Bowls Club in great detail:

“GREEN AT STH. TOWNSVILLE OPENED

The South Townsville Bowling Club was officially opened by Mr. J. Taafe.-President of the North Queens land District Bowling Association, on Sunday afternoon, in the presence of 270 bowling enthusiasts. The green, which had been decorated for the occasion with bunting and beach umbrellas, presented a colourful sight, which was favourably commented upon by visitors from Bowen, Charters Towers, Noorla, Ingham, Ayr, Home Hill, Brisbane and Innisfail. At 2.30 Mr. Taafe officially opened proceedings, after an introduction by Mr. W. T.’Conn, South Townsville president.”

“In supporting the toast of the South Townsville Bowling Club, the Deputy Mayor, Ald. A. V. Hamilton, stated he was in accord with the N.Q.D.B. Association president, insofar as the con- struction of bowling greens and other sporting facilities were concerned….The set up was rather difficult. He congratulated the club on its enterprise in beautifying a saltpan, and hoped their initiative would reap the success it deserved.”