In 1949, the Merthyr Ladies Bowls Club was founded by Peter’s wife, Elsie Drummond. The Ladies Club became quite strong and, as in the case of most clubs in the early days, the women raised a lot of money by volunteering their time for the club. The 1950s saw two officers' army barracks trucked in and butted together to form the Club House. This is what forms the skeleton of the club today.
The ageing membership slowly declined in the 1960s and the Club relied on the local blue collar businesses to keep the bar trade going. Many of the members who joined in the 1970s actually drank at the Club for 10yrs before even picking up a bowl. Today, they are some of the Clubs top bowlers. 1974 brought the flood and it is said that the water never reached the Club House. This is quite amazing given the fact that a ship was washed-up in New Farm Park.
The early 80s saw a revolution in bowling greens in Queensland, with most Clubs converting their greens from Couch to Tiff Dwarf, giving the greens a much better playing surface that suited the climate. The Merthyr green is Tiff Dwarf and considering the amount of wear and tear it receives, still holds a top surface that many visiting clubs regard as one of the truest greens in Brisbane.
In 1988, the Merthyr Bowls Club became the first amalgamated Bowls Club in Queensland where all members, both Men and Ladies combined to make one Club.
The next decade was pretty tough and money was owed to the breweries. Honest volunteers became scarce. No beer was delivered unless payment was made upfront! The RSL loaned funds to the Club and some members even dipped into their own bank accounts to donate money to keep the Club afloat.
The Social Club was becoming stronger with the increase of younger people living in the area. And in 1998, the Social Club members convinced the members to hold a dress-up bowls day. The members were encouraged to bring a non-bowling friend. The day was a huge success! The laughter and costumes drew the attention of people passing by and they asked if they could hold a buck’s party the next weekend. By word of mouth, Bare Foot Bowls was born. Before long, large companies would book out the whole green for their team building days.
With the large increase of new patrons came problems. The once sleepy, little club could not cater to such a large number of people. The Club was making money but were unsure if the trend would continue. The hard times still fresh in the minds of the committee members, they were reluctant to spend money to expand.
Again it was up to the forward thinking members who loaned money to make the decision. One in particular, took a personal loan of around $25 000. The money was used to extend the club house deck. Many were unsure if the money would be regained. Within six months, the Club was able to reimburse the members in full.
A number of small time chefs and caterers did their best to cater for the growing demand for food from a 3mx3m kitchen.
In Christmas 2001, illness got the better of the caterer at that time and Lou Merlo offered his catering services and honoured all confirmed bookings. In the New Year, the opportunity arose for Lou to take the catering on full time. The Club extended the kitchen as much as it could to help make catering slightly easier. A great symbiotic relationship was enjoyed between the Club and its Caterers. The bar and kitchen both benefiting each other, enabling the Club to maintain the green and its surrounds taking advantage of the best location Brisbane.
Eventually, Lou moved on to a bigger venue and handed the reins to his son Christopher Merlo. Chris is still managing the catering at Merthyr Bowls Club and is also getting involved with the catering at Merthyr’s sister Club Norman Park.
Over the next five years the Club slowly upgraded its facilities as money became available. It’s estimated that around $1.5 million has been spent to give Merthyr Bowls Club the quality of facilities it is able to offer it's patrons today. Now employing around 15 staff and turning over in excess of $1million per annum, the Club has become one of Brisbane’s most famous icons. Many high profile people are joining the estimated 25 thousand people that try their skills on the green every year. Bowls is a real winner, introducing the game that was once called “Old Men’s Marbles” to thousands of people of all ages.
Merthyr Bowls Club is now expanding its funds to help rejuvenate the Norman Park Services Bowls Club. Keeping another Bowls Club alive that was on the brink of closure. Merthyr Bowls is a role model for many Bowls Clubs throughout Australia. Clubs that, without the relaxation of some of the rules, would now be closed. Most people are not sure of the Bowls Club etiquette, but with a friendly explanation most people learn to respect the Club and its members.
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