Club Pine Rivers celebrates 75 years

There were plenty of laughs and stories swapped at Club Pine Rivers last weekend as members gathered to celebrate a big milestone – the club’s 75^th anniversary.

As part of the two-day festivities, a celebratory dinner was held at the club on Saturday, August 26, followed by a club bowls day.

During his speech on Saturday night, Club Pine Rivers President Adrian Holiday reminded attendees about the club’s humble beginnings and the many milestones that have been accomplished during the past seven decades.

“Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club was formed in 1948 and was located on Gympie Road, Strathpine, directly opposite the Country Club Hotel, which is now known as the Four Mile Creek Hotel,” Adrian said.

“The club remained at this location for the following 30 years with a small but dedicated membership, bowling with limited success, and generally remained an outer Brisbane country-style club.

“In the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the help of the slogan ‘Move to little Aspley’, Brisbane saw a population shift from inner suburbs to this area.

“To cater for the population growth, a shopping centre was needed. Westfield Shopping Management was awarded the project and purchased the club and the property to build what we now know was the Strathpine Centre.

“The club took up residence at its current location in Bray Park in 1984 which was seen as being the centre of the population growth area with predominately married couples and young families moving in daily.

“The Pine Rivers Memorial Bowls Club has come a long way from its modest beginnings on Gympie Road.

“Our club has undergone a rebranding to Club Pine Rivers and has undergone numerous renovations and extensions over the years offering the best facilities to our members and guests.”

See the photo gallery below (click through)

An award-winning club

Adrian also spoke about how the club has hosted numerous successful competitions and won many accolades during its time.

“We have held both national and international events at the club and we will be continuing to look for further opportunities in these areas,” Adrian said.

“Our club is highly regarded in the club industry and the bowls world. We will continue to reinforce our standing in these areas.

“This has been particularly evident in Club Pine Rivers being voted the Best Bowls Club at the Clubs Queensland annual awards dinner for the last two years.

“No pressure on our management team, but let’s go for three in a row.”

Club Pine Rivers CEO Steve Ratcliffe said plenty of memories and stories were shared on the night.

“We had a couple of former club presidents who attended, as well as plenty of people who have been members of the club for 20 and 30 years,” Steve said.

“Throughout the evening the general manager walked around and interviewed people who shared memories from their time at the club and what were some of the milestones that happened during their tenure.

“One said they oversaw the installation of the shade over the green, and another one was proud of the bigger car park.

“Every single person had one thing they could proudly hang their hat on.”