Lilydale Bowling Club has an interesting past. It was founded by a group of Lilydale’s townsfolk in 1898. These members went to the council and applied to have a site put aside for them to build a bowling green. The photograph below shows the opening day of the green that was built in Clarke Street in 1902, not far from the Olinda Creek in the park area. The members had to remove four very large trees before they could level the green. The site proved to be far from suitable as the yabbies took to doing what they do best – making large holes and bumps in the green which made bowling impossible.

About 1912, the club established a new green in the middle of the very wide Main Street, opposite the Crown Hotel. Stories are told that because of the steep slope between the green and the hotel, many a bowl was played on the wrong bias finishing up at the bar entrance, where the member had a little refreshment whilst retrieving their bowl.
There was a band rotunda sited near this green so Saturday games were often played to the marches of the day.

In 1927, a move was made to Melba Park due to increased membership. The council planned to have the bowls, croquet and tennis clubs use the same pavilion (club house). The green was officially opened by Lilydale’s famous Dame Nellie Melba. Unfortunately, this club house was burnt to the ground and all records lost.

Once again a move was on the books due to increased membership, this time to our present site, formerly called Ayrefield Park. In 1962 a self contained Bowling club with two greens and a club house was opened. It has extensive views and is situated in a lovely area.

Season 1977-78 saw the completion of extensions to the club house with a new kitchen and a carpeted lounge. They also increased the bar facilities and license.

In 1983 an extension on the rear of the upper floor was completed including a ladies lounge, kitchen and sports room. The sports room has a parquetry floor. The kitchen is a fully operational commercial size kitchen,

In 1990 a third green was installed on the lower level – previously our car park.

In 1995, it was proposed that we install a new synthetic green on green number one. Although it was not at all popular at the time (the thought of bowling on anything but grass was a horror!) the proposal was carried and proved to be very successful. This green has lasted us 14 years.

With rising cost of employing a green keeper and apprentice, plus water, chemicals and re-sowing the two remaining grass greens, our Treasurer did a five year study and recommended that greens 2 and 3 also be laid with a synthetic surface. This was approved and completed.

1998 saw our centenary – 100 years since our founding. We had a marvelous weekend of celebrations.

To date we have a strong membership, both ladies and gentlemen. We are now moving forward keeping up to date and are in the process of installing a new carpet surface on our number one green – due for completion in 2009.