Delungra Memorial Bowling and Recreation Club

About

This memorial club a single storey building, primarily of timber construction, with a corrugated iron roof. On its eastern side is a verandah with a skillion roof, which overlooks the club's bowling green. Built initially as a hall, the building now has facilities for meals and diverse recreational activities. Early in April 1952, R. H. Lockwood, Inverell architect and Second World War R.A.A.F. veteran, presented plans and specifications to the Delungra Diggers RSL for the proposed clubhouse. These were well-received and the plans were to be put on public display before going to the local council for approval. Over the remainder of the year, fundraising events were held, financing was secured, and construction materials were sourced. Builder Col Kennedy was scheduled to commence on 16 March 1953 and the building was almost complete by that November (The Inverell Times, 7 April 1952, 1 August, 1952 6 March 1953; 20 November 1953).  The Returned Soldiers' Memorial Club rooms were opened on 17 April 1954 by Mr G. R. Crawford, State Member for Barwon. The Inverell Times, 19 April 1954, reported more than 500 people attended the event. The ceremony was chaired by Mr F. G. Calderbank, President of the Delungra branch of the RSL, and the opening was performed by Mr Crawford. During his speech, he said: Many ex-Servicemen missed greatly the spirit of comradeship that they enjoyed in the Services, and one of the reasons for the building of the club was that they wished to recapture that spirit.  In declaring this Club officially opened I trust that it will be the scene of many pleasant hours spent in agreeable company and as such will be a true memorial to those who made the supreme sacrifice in the two World Wars. The club rooms were built at a cost of £4,000. The main door took visitors into a vestibule, which had the Delungra First World War Roll of Honor on the left-hand side. The main hall was 20 feet by 36 feet, with a kitchen off one end that had a servery opening into the hall. The hall also featured a second honour roll for Delungra men who were killed in the Second World War and a tablet dedicating the club to the memory of those died in service.  At the monthly meeting of the RSL Club in early July 1954, discussion took place concerning an application for a liquor licence and the development of a bowling green, which were both added to the club at a later date.  Access inside the club is restricted/timed.