OUR STORY
Clayton Bowls Club has a proud history dating back to 1961, when it was founded on swampland at 37A Springs Road, adjacent to the historic Namatjira Springs—a former watering stop for horse-drawn coaches travelling between Melbourne and Dandenong.
The original clubhouse, still the heart of today’s facility, began taking shape in 1982. Back then, the Men’s locker room and restrooms were located at the front, doubling as the main entrance, while the Ladies’ facilities sat approximately where the current cool room is. The club’s first green was on the north side of the building, and this setup served both bowls and a lively calendar of social events up until the late 1990s.
In 1994, the front of the clubhouse was renovated to house newly acquired poker machines. The bar, originally positioned in front of the cool room, served both Members and the Gaming area.
A major renovation in 1999 brought significant changes: the Bistro was introduced, and a new Bar was built. Prior to this, Wednesday night meals were served out of the small kitchen under the name “Bowl Inn”. To accommodate the Bistro expansion, Green No. 1 was shifted 16 metres north.
Further development came in 2005, including upgrades to restrooms, refurbishment of the Mavis Faull Room, and construction of new offices, a Boardroom, storage, and enhanced locker rooms.
The Greens
Our original green, the Geo Osborough Green, was constructed in 1962 and ready for play in the 1963–64 season. Named in honour of George Osborough, a founding member and two-term President, the green was initially located 16 metres south of where it sits today. It was relocated during the 1999 renovations to make way for the Bistro.
Green No. 3, now an integral part of our facilities, was added in the late 1980s. Previously a problematic car park prone to bogging vehicles, it was transformed into a playing surface and named after club stalwarts Terry Fleming and Bill Marshall. Terry, the club’s long-serving greenkeeper, was instrumental in developing our irrigation systems. Bill was deeply involved in bowls administration at both Club and R.V.B.A. levels.
Water Sustainability
In the early 1980s, Terry Fleming took initiative to improve the natural spring behind the clubhouse. A deep excavation, two 5000-litre tanks, and a reservoir system of broken bricks created a reliable water source capable of storing 30,000 litres. Early on, this reservoir refilled within 24–36 hours, but by 2005—with increased local groundwater use—it required up to four days.
In response to Stage 3 water restrictions during the 2006 drought, Members banded together for hand-watering efforts. That same year, the club installed a 150,000-litre above-ground tank, paired with a submersible pump for slow, continuous refilling. This system has proven invaluable, and thanks to the resilience of the spring, has kept the tank at more than half capacity even during heavy use. The spring has remained active for over 30 years, ensuring our greens continue to thrive.
A New Chapter – Merging with South Oakleigh
In 2024, Clayton Bowls Club proudly welcomed the South Oakleigh Club following the closure of their venue in 2020. After four years without a home, the merger brought together two strong communities, uniting our histories and futures under one roof. The integration has enriched our membership, strengthened our volunteer base, and created new opportunities for competition, community and camaraderie.