Joining in with the celebrations were many of our past and present members, as well as visitors from other bowling clubs.  A total of 90 people enjoyed the beautiful warm day with lots of social interaction and reminiscing.

The well-organised and enjoyable day included a social game of bowls in the morning which was then followed by a celebration baked meal and the official proceedings, which were capably run by our President Linda (Spud) Scott. Our beautiful birthday cake was made by Wilma Bingley and jointly cut by our Vice Presidents Sue Bush and Kath Grace.

Our history began on February 21, 1955 when a meeting was called for the purpose of forming a women’s bowling club. Myrtle Simpson was elected President and there were a total of five members.

This first meeting was followed by a second meeting to discuss affiliation with the NSW Bowls Association and make some club rules. 

Mrs Money Walker bowled the first bowl on our opening day on December 6, 1955.

In 1956 the Yass lady bowlers was invited to join with Canberra City and Queanbeyan to form the Federal District Women’s Bowling Association. In 1993 the Yass Women’s Bowling Club joined with the ACT Women’s Bowling Association after they had gained full autonomy. 

The showing of a DVD displaying many old bowling photos, past championship winners and executive members was beautifully put together by Helen Bush. 

The etiquette of lawn bowls has certainly changed over the years. Rules were very comprehensive and needed to be strictly adhered to. We certainly had a good chuckle as we read some of them.  A few examples of these rules related to the length of the ladies skirts (no more than 14” from the ground), the colour of the stockings, the rule that hats could only be removed for personal comfort – e.g. if feeling faint, the hat badge having very precise placement, the hat brim that had to be 3” in front, the need for players to stay and watch the match on the bank and not seek shelter no matter how cold and windy the weather was.  

Thank goodness that these stringent rules have now gone by the wayside – I know that I wouldn’t have coped!

Our eldest lady bowls member is 87 and our youngest, Georgia Grieg is 12.  It would be nice to think that Georgia might still be bowling at our club when it celebrates another 60 years.

ITALICS: Contributed.