History
Carrington Bowling Club was founded in 1941 in the middle of World War 2, by a group of thirty members, mostly Coal Trimmers and Waterside Workers. These Stalwarts approached the Newcastle City Council and received a grantof land which was being reclaimed alongside the foreshores of Throsby Creek for a parkland. A large galvanised iron shed was obtained, whereupon members erected a verandah around its perimeter.
So proud of his club, one member, Joe Cullen, arranged to carpet the interior, but lack of finance & material saw him collect potato bags and place them on the floor. The inaugural bar comprised a set of laundry tubs containing blocks of ice and quarts of ale sold for the wonderful price of two shillings and sixpence. Inaugural President was Mr Joe Ball, who held that position until 1952. Meetings were held in the Schoo.t of Arts Hall around the corner in Young Street. As membership increased the Club constructed a green and affiliated with NDBA in 1942 with galas being played to raise finance towards building a new Clubhouse. In 1946 the City Council was able to assist with the sale of an army building from Waratah Park which was set in place to form the present location in Cowper Street. A second green quickly followed and later extensions to a renovated Clubhouse saw the building as it exists today.
Like all Clubs, Carrington have relied heavily on support from their Ladies Club which was formed in 1979 and which remains solidly behind their men today. Today the Club has 580 registered members and is fostering the inclusion of younger members.
There is currently a Development Application before the City Council for extensions and renovations and the overall outlook is for a bright and happy future in order to maintain their community effort for the suburb of Carrington, a duty not shirked since the formation of the club. Recently the Club has been redecorated and is striving to establish a commercial dining facility which would make it a nice comfortable place to enjoy leisure time in a quite atmosphere.