Volunteer’s steady hand steers bowls club through turbulent chapter

A Palmwoods Bowls Club stalwart who quietly took on almost every job needed to keep the club going is being recognised by members for helping steer the 95-year-old club through the most difficult period in its history.

Col McKinlay, a long-serving volunteer and former treasurer, chair and bowls president, has been praised by fellow members for his persistence during a turbulent period that has culminated in Hervey Bay RSL acquiring the club’s real estate, while the Palmwoods Lawn Bowls Club Inc continues to run the bowls side of the community club business.

Club member Geoffrey Brown said Mr McKinlay’s efforts deserved public acknowledgement after years of unpaid work and months of pressure behind the scenes.

Mr McKinlay joined Palmwoods Bowls Club more than 10 years ago after earlier involvement with Palmwoods Cricket Club, where he had also served as treasurer. His first taste of bowls came through a Wednesday night social competition with cricket club players, before he joined Palmwoods and helped win several fours titles.

But it was off the green that members say his biggest contribution was made.

Mr McKinlay became treasurer after attending an AGM at which the club’s financial position was described as dire. From there, he helped introduce measures including Sunday sessions, a volunteer bar roster, Friday night raffles, members’ draws, Jag the Joker and later the popular Chinese restaurant, which members credited with bringing crowds back through the doors.

Col’s wife Rose said Col became a volunteer “everywhere” at the club.

“He’d be at bar, functions, counting the money on Fridays, doing the pokies, ATM, purchase and selling of raffles, news editor, bus driving, BBQs, helping probus, making sandwiches, seeking sponsors for men’s 10,000, running bowls events, bringing bowlers from Greenwood, working bees, cleaning,” she said.

She said he even cleaned toilets when a cleaner could not be found at short notice.

The club later faced division over a proposed acquisition by Pine Rivers Bowls Club, which was rejected by members. After board resignations, members say Mr McKinlay and a small group of volunteers were left carrying much of the burden.

Talks eventually led to the Hervey Bay RSL arrangement, which members say has given the bowls club a future after months of uncertainty.

Rose said it was important to remember all volunteers, past and present, who had kept the club alive since 1931.

“We wouldn’t have gone this far without them,” she said.

Col with his team mates.

Club stalwart Col McKinlay and his wife Rose.