Violet Town Bowls Club Inc

Violet Town Bowls Club Inc is a vibrant sports club located in the Strathbogie Shire of Victoria, Australia. With a rich history dating back to its establishment on 13 September 1958, the club has become a popular social outlet for the local community. The club is situated in the picturesque suburb of Violet Town and offers a welcoming atmosphere for both bowlers and social members.

The club boasts approximately 500 members, including around 350 bowlers and 150 social members. In recent years, the club has focused on expanding its social activities and improving its competitive standing. Greg Cracknell, the Men's President, emphasises the club's commitment to openness and inclusivity, encouraging locals to join as social members first before potentially transitioning to becoming Pennant bowlers.

Highton Bowls Club offers a range of activities for its members. In addition to regular men's, ladies', and mixed social matches, the club also hosts Friday Night Bistro and various other social events at its clubhouse and bar. The club aims to inject more youth into its membership and increase overall bowler numbers by promoting its social bowls activities, such as Crackerjack and Barefoot Bowls. The bistro is a popular spot, serving an average of 60-80 counter meals every Friday evening.

Members of Violet Town Bowls Club can participate in a variety of competitions. The club offers Club Championship events, as well as Midweek (Tuesday) and Weekend (Saturday) Pennants in the Geelong Bowls Region competition. The club's impressive performance in the Pennant finals last year saw all seven teams qualify, with the Division 1 Pennant team winning the premiership and moving up to the leading League. This achievement marked a significant milestone for the club, as it had been striving to return to the top level of local bowls.

Facilities at Violet Town Bowls Club include three outdoor greens consisting of two grass greens and one synthetic green. The synthetic surfaced green, known as the 'Founder's Green', is located in front of the clubhouse and features lighting for day and night play throughout the year. The club also has a four-rink carpeted green beneath the clubhouse, which is used for coaching and practise. This green can even be heated for regular matches during winter.

The large clubhouse or function room can accommodate over 160 members, players, or guests, and the commercial-grade kitchen is utilised by members or the club's in-house caterer for club event meals.

Getting involved with Violet Town Bowls Club is a fantastic opportunity to form friendships and become part of a thriving community. The club's recent success in Pennant competitions and the positive atmosphere it has fostered have contributed to its growing popularity. The club encourages non-members to “come through the gate and see what we've got to offer,” and invites everyone to experience the warmth and camaraderie that its members enjoy. Whether you are an experienced bowler looking for competitive play or an individual seeking new social connexions, Violet Town Bowls Club offers something for everyone.