Sport
2 January, 2026
Wheelhouse honour at club's 90th anniversary day
BRIDGEWATER Bowling Club life member and one of it’s most successful women players has been honoured during the club’s 90th anniversary celebrations.
Pam Wheelhouse, winner of multiple club championships and with regional and state titles to her name since the 1980s, unveiled a sign to be erected on the reinstated No 1 green early next year. Club president Glenn Catto told more than 200 people at the luncheon and social bowls afternoon that the committee thought it appropriate to acknowledge the contribution of women bowlers since the club’s formation in 1935.
Catto said the committee had been unanimous in recognising Mrs Wheelhouse and an early legend of the club Isabell Brooker. Like Mrs Wheelhouse, Mrs Brooker had amassed a string of titles in her bowling career.
The original green has been prepared for sowing after months of voluntary work by club members.
The club’s No 2 green has been named after veteran curator Peter Short.
Saturday’s crowd was told club membership had more than doubled in recent years and further growth was expected for the club now fielding teams in the Bendigo and Goldfields playing area pennant competitions.
Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields bowls president Vicki Tierney was among guests at the luncheon.
They heard how Bridgewater had played social bowls against neighbouring Inglewood, Dingee, Calivil and Serpentine club in its early years before joining the Bendigo pennant competitions.
Bridgewater adopted its red and white colours in 1947 and three years later purchased the former cordial factory next to its bowling green and converted the building into clubrooms.
Former member Ken Rushbridge said 200 people had attended the club’s official opening day in February 1936.
“A bit like today with so many here,” he said.
Bill Wigmore, who made the weather vain in 1972, and Brenda Box were given the honour of cutting the club’s 90th birthday cake.
- CHRIS EARL
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