Doncaster bowler’s $1m donation to rival bowls club is a mystery that was taken to the grave

Was he cranky with teammates? Confused? We may never know why Bruce Hallman left $1m to a rival bowls club he had only visited once, but there’s every chance he got exactly what he wanted.

The tale of Bruce Hallman stuck a chord with Herald Sun readers. Picture: Supplied

The tale of Bruce Hallman, the million dollar Doncaster bowler, is one of my favourites of all time.

It’s a story with the lot: money, mystery, conflict and, naturally, lawn bowls.

But when my source told me about an old bowler who died, leaving his entire estate to a rival club, I thought it was too good to be true.

It wasn’t only true, it was better.

Bruce Henry Hallman was a member of Doncaster Bowls Club for 15 years, before his death last year.

Bruce Hallman (left) was a member of Doncaster Bowls Club for 15 years but left his $1m estate to a nearby club. Picture: Supplied

With no family, Bruce left everything to his favourite sport. But not Doncaster, instead he gave every cent to the Donvale Bowls Club — just up the road — who, at first, didn’t know Bruce from a plane flying overhead.

They were so shocked by the bequest they had to send out a members’ newsletter to find out who Bruce was.

Originally, Donvale thought they were getting $700k but recently discovered the booty is well over a million.

They’re thrilled.

Doncaster is not. They’re pissed off. But have conceded defeat and dropped all legal action.

When I first started sniffing around, I was told Bruce was a “funny kind of bloke”. But in the Australian language that can mean you’re anything from a serial killer to someone who puts the cream on their scones first.

So no one really knows why he did it.

Members of Doncaster Bowls Club in action. Picture: Supplied

There’s a rumour Bruce was cranky with a couple of his old teammates.

There were raised eyebrows because Bruce hired a solicitor to do his new will, and that solicitor happened to be a major sponsor of Donvale. (However, there’s no evidence of anything improper.)

And, because of Bruce’s age, people will always question his capacity to make clear decisions.

Who knows? These are secrets Bruce will take with him.

But there’s every chance Bruce got exactly what he wanted: a very happy Donvale, a very pissed off Doncaster, and everyone talking about it.

And since it hit the Herald Sun on Thursday, I’ve heard a few suggestions of what should happen. Many readers think Doncaster was dudded, others reckon Donvale deserve the lot, and some think they should split it.

But here’s another possible resolution: what if the rivals battle each other for a one-off tournament? Prize money: $1,000,000.

Who wouldn’t watch that? And I’ve got a strange feeling Bruce would’ve loved it.

Justin Smith is an author, journalist and broadcaster.

Originally published as Doncaster bowler’s $1m donation to rival bowls club is a mystery that was taken to the grave