St Clair club celebrates 125 years

Bill Grey points to his name on the honours board while inspecting some of the memorabilia with...
Bill Grey points to his name on the honours board while inspecting some of the memorabilia with fellow life member Pat Gilchrist at the 125th jubilee dinner of the St Clair Bowling Club last Saturday. PHOTO: WAYNE PARSONS
A night of memories and reflection filled the room at the St Clair Bowling Club's 125th jubilee dinner on Saturday night.

Among those present was life member Pat Gilchrist, who at 90 years old would not have missed being part of the celebration for all the world.

Gilchrist followed her mother, Julie Campbell, into the club in 1973.

``I enjoyed the bowls and soon became a regular member, because once you start playing socially you get into the teams,'' she said.

While it may have taken a nudge from her mother to get along to the club, her husband, Tom Gilchrist, was already playing for the RSA club.

A naval serviceman in World War 2, Tom emmigrated from Britain in 1948, having an immediate impact on the local football scene as a defender for Dunedin's Caversham and Northern clubs, while also gaining representative honours for Otago and South Island teams.

But when Tom turned to bowls following his football years, he opted for the camaraderie of other ex-servicemen within the RSA ranks.

``They had a loyalty. All ex-servicemen. I think they enjoyed their own company,'' she said.

But Pat's association with St Clair grew over the years.

Apart from winning several club singles, pairs and fours titles, it has been her administration duties that embedded her association with the club, serving twice as president of the women's section before the men's and women's sections amalgamated almost 20 years ago.

As president of the women's section in 1992, she helped oversee the club's centennial celebrations.

Bill Grey, who joined the club in 1978, reflected on changes to the club over the past 40 years, such as rink and green improvements, entrance-way enhancements and the inclusion of a car park. He also mentioned social changes over his four decades with the club.

``The clubrooms had a Pinex ceiling and on Friday nights, you couldn't see across from one side of the room to the other for cigarette smoke,'' he said.

National singles champion in 1987 Ken Walker followed parents George and Alice Walker to the St Clair Bowling club in 1976 and passed on his congratulations.

``It's a fantastic effort, 125 years,'' he said. ``Let's be a bit more proactive and go for the 200th.''

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