Sunnybank Bowls Club and Neighbourhood Watch branch fold
A STRUGGLING bowls club in Brisbane’s south facing financial ruin will close its doors next month after more than 60 years, despite a last ditch bid to save the club by selling off poker machines and cutting expenses.
Southeast
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THE Sunnybank community has taken two major blows, with the impending closure of the Sunnybank Bowls Club and the Neighbourhood Watch UMG 9 (Sunnybank) branch already folding this month.
For more than 60 years the Sunnybank Bowls Club has played an important role in the southside community.
But financial hardships caused by rising costs associated with running the venue and dwindling patronage will force the club to close its doors permanently next month.
Sunnybank Bowls Club publicity officer Carmel Newman told the Southern Star exclusively the club was losing $8000 a month.
Closing on October 31 meant the club and its committee members would not go into debt.
“We don’t own the property,” Mrs Newman said. “We only own the 1970s furniture and plaques inside.”
Even selling off some of the poker machines and minimising expenses hadn’t been enough to save the club.
So at last Saturday’s annual general meeting the members regretfully voted to wind up the club.
“With rising costs and dwindling membership, the club has no funds to continue to trade,” she said.
“People are not joining bowls clubs. Other clubs are struggling too.
“Sunnybank Bowls Club started in its current location 64 years ago and has been a place for playing the great sport of bowls as well as a community gathering place.”
Membership of Sunnybank Bowls Club has generally been strong over the years and in its heyday there was a waiting list to become a member.
From the initial membership of 46 in 1954, the peak was in the 1970s and ’80s.
Records show that in 1988 there were 363 playing members. In 2018, the club still boasts 106, but sadly it is not enough to keep the club afloat.
“The members are saddened by the loss of their great club and the many friendships that have been formed,” Mrs Newton said.
“The many bowls events (seafood days, trophy days) that have taken place at Sunnybank Bowls Club have been a highlight for not only the members but also visitors from other bowls clubs.”
On Sunday, October 14 from 9am a special event will be held for financial members and invited guests.
That will be followed on Wednesday, October 24, from 1pm, with the last game of bowls to be played.
Sunnybank resident Chris Seen, who knows a number of the bowls club members, photographed members after the AGM.
He said it was bittersweet to document the occasion.
“It is another sad story in Sunnybank this week following the UMG 9 (Sunnybank) NHW AGM deciding to fold as well,” Mr Seen said.
‘We were strong until the end’
For 28 years the Neighbourhood Watch UMG 9 (Sunnybank) branch has been a pillar in the southside community.
But this month it has folded because there was nobody to whom its ageing committee could pass the torch.
Area co-ordinator Larry O’Connell, 79, said the branch had done a lot of good in the community.
But Mr O’Connell also noted a lack of community spirit was one of the causes of the closure.
“We’ve done the very sad deed,” he said.
“We were strong up until the end … but we are all getting older.”
The branch had a small committee of a dozen people but reached 500-plus residents each month through its newsletter.
On September 17 the branch officially closed and sadly it won’t be the last one on the southside.
Mr O’Connell said social media had redirected people’s community focus towards online.
In its heyday, the branch attracted 150 people for meetings but that had dwindled to about 20 in recent times.
“People are less connected to the community,” he said.
Over the past almost three decades the branch has arranged new street signs for the area, kept the community informed of crime locally and been an advocate for crime prevention.
Upper Mt Gravatt Police Station Constable Dave Keller said: “It’s an unfortunate sign of the times, Neighbourhood Watch has always played a vital role in preventing crimes.
“We often get important and useful information that helps us do our job.”
Community groups key part of our society
Brisbane City Councillor Kim Marx expressed her sadness about losing two community groups in her electorate but has vowed to assist others to avoid the same fate.
“Community groups are the lifeblood of our suburbs and I’m committed to working with existing groups to help them create more to see and do in the Runcorn ward,” she said.
“Many clubs are experiencing declining memberships, however council is looking at new ways to make it easier for clubs to operate in Brisbane and to help reduce operational costs. After working with the club and listening to feedback from community groups, council will allow the Sunnybank Bowls Club site to be available as a community facility on a per booking basis, allowing anyone to use the venue for events or regular meetings.
“Council is committed to provided community facilities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy, and this will create more opportunities for local groups to thrive.”
Outpouring of sorrow for groups
Federal Member for Moreton Graham Perrett told the Southern Star he was “saddened” by the recent closure of the Neighbourhood Watch UMG 9 (Sunnybank) branch and the imminent closure of the Sunnybank Bowls Club.
“They are both community organisations with a long history in the local area,” he said.
“Community organisations play an important role in combating social isolation and loneliness.
“Organisations like these promote engagement and connectivity which is especially important in an ageing population.
“Loneliness is a serious public health concern; it is linked to early death; poorer physical and mental health outcomes.”
Mr Perrett said the community organisations would be greatly missed.
“It is a challenge to all of us to ensure that other local community organisations are not also forced to close through a lack of support.
“I have held many community forums and other events at the Sunnybank Bowls Club over the years. It is a fabulous venue.”
State Member for Toohey Peter Russo agreed with Mr Perrett and said he would work with Cr Kim Marx to ensure the other community groups using the bowls club would not have to relocate.
Mr Russo said the State Government would not do anything to the site without consultation with the council and the community.
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