The history the club can be traced back to a Public Meeting, which was called for the express purpose of forming the Toowong Bowls Club on 31st August, 1903. A second Meeting was held on 23 February, 1904, where the foundation president, Mr Charles Tait, had purchased a block of land on Glen road for 200 Pound and handed it over to the Club. In May of that year, the first green was built at a cost of 70/10/0. September of that year, saw tenders called for construction of the Club House and it was built for a cost of 94/12/0. The official opening was conducted on 28 January 1905.
Indicative of the day, the first death of an active member occurred in 1911. The widow was left destitute, so the member's passed the hat around and whipped up $281, which enabled her to build a new house for $250. The men won their first flag in 1911. In 1940, the land between the main green and the river was purchased and a second green was created. It housed three additional rinks and was affectionately nick named 'Siberia' by the men as i was so far away from the bar. The ladies Division of the Club was formed in 1940 and they have been an integral part of the club since. The club was literally bursting at its seems and from the minutes of the General meeting 1964, the issue was raised and the Club's Council began looking at a larger venue for the Club. In early 1965, a "New Sites Committee" was formed. The old dairy farm, owned and operated by the Perrin family had recently been acquired by the Brisbane City Council and turned into what is now known as Perrin Park. A parcel of land was allocated to the club at the Burns Road end. After consultation and many meetings, this area was agreed as unsuitable due to it being extremely low-lying. A similar parcel was the offered being up in the corner of the park, bounded by Gailey Road and Heroes Avenue. Early August, 1965, over 3000 yards of demolished bricks from the Old Tivoli Theater, was trucked in and so began the fill work for the area of the greens and clubhouse. 11 January, 1966, saw a Planning and Development Committee, chaired by Mr. Eric Rose, formed and the arduous task had begun in earnest.
December 1967, saw the first grass planted on the greens. With a confirmed deadline of 14 October, 1968, to vacate the old club site, the timetable was set. Basically left unattended for 3 months, let the grass establish, unfortunately so did a great deal of pig weed, but with plenty of hard work the greens were prepared. During this 10 month period, a number of volunteers on the greens committee, arduously prepared the new greens, but also had to ensure that the old site was still operational and the greens prepared for play.
6 October 1968, saw the big move. Again with volunteers and a donated truck, everything that wasn't bolted down was shipped to the new site.
January 1974 there were predictions of some serious rain. and rain it did. For about 7 days, the greens and most of the club house was covered by up to 15 feet of water. Once the water finally receded, the task began of cleaning up. With no government support and all the members trying to get their own lives back together, it was an incredible task. From greens covered in silt and fish, to mowers being filled with mud and even the cold room totally engulfed, it seemed never ending.
1978 saw a new revolution coming through bowls clubs, a new hi bred grass, Tif-Dwarf, was started being used. Initial results from overseas trials had been very favorable and at a special General meeting on 2nd September 1978, the members made the radical decision to convert one of the greens to this new grass. Due to the lack of expertise and being a new product, the Lahey Green was re-opened for play in January 1982. It is believed that this was the first Tif-Dwarf green in Queensland and now 95% of all greens use this variety of grass. The Sangster Green was converted during renovations the next year.
1988 saw the installation of an automated sprinkler system.
1990 saw the Incorporation of the Toowong Bowls Club Inc. 1997 saw lights erected on the Sangster Green.
2006 saw lights erected on the Lahey Green.
2008 saw the arrival of new management and some fresh ideas to this great club. C'mon members and locals lets all get down to the club and have some fun.
