The Nambour Bowls Club celebrated its 90th Birthday on Sunday 14 August 2022 with a stunning Open Fours event featuring 30 teams from across the Sunshine Coast region filling its two beautiful lawn bowling greens. Visiting bowlers from as far afield as Tasmania and New Zealand also enjoyed the special occasion.

The Nambour Bowling Club, as it was initially known, was formed in August 1932 when a group of local businessmen headed by the local Shire Chairman Mr J T Lowe decided a bowling club would be a great asset for the town.

Upon being elected as President at the inaugural meeting, Mr Lowe said it was the first occasion on which he had taken part in any sport, although he had assisted in promoting various clubs. He had now taken up bowls. From the first game it appeared that the bowls “bug” had entered his shoes and he believed that it was there to stay. He expressed appreciation of the honour and would do all he could to further the game in Nambour and district. 

Within a year of its formation, the Club had successfully established a bowling green and modest clubhouse facilities which were officially opened during an official Queensland Bowls Association visit on 5 June1933. 

The Gala Day attracted 200 bowlers and well-wishers who were amazed at the excellence of the greens and the work accomplished. He stated that he had gone on with the work because of his love for the game and also in recognition that Nambour was incomplete without a bowling green. 

He was pleased that his ambition in this regard was realised. All that Nambour wanted then, according to Mr Lowe, was a water supply.

Despite his heavy involvement in the broader community through his role as Maroochy Shire Chairman, Mr Lowe served as Club President for three years and, remarkably, fulfilled the role of Greens Director for the first 10 years. 

Times were tough in the 1930s but dedication and commitment from its founding members quickly demonstrated what can be achieved through teamwork, a trait which remains today as the Club still relies heavily on its volunteer members.

In 1937 the Club was instrumental in the establishment of the first interclub competition when Nambour, Palmwoods and Mapleton Clubs joined with Maroochydore, the first bowling club on the coastal strip. The competition became known as Pennant after a Nambour member donated a Pennant Flag for the competition which continues today some 85 years later. 

Such was the growing popularity of the sport that the Nambour Ladies Bowling Club was formed in 1938. 

The now-amalgamated Nambour Bowls Club has evolved since those early pioneering days offering two excellent bowling greens with modern shade structures and lighting for night bowls events. The clubhouse amenities also attract other community user groups with the large timber dance floor proving popular with bands and dance groups. 

Come & Try Bowls

Over the warmer months ahead, the Club will be holding Come and Try Days, Beginner and Night Bowls sessions to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to experience the game and, hopefully, like Mr J T Lowe 90 years ago find a bowls “bug” in their shoes.