Buninyong Bowling Club

10/09/2026

Buninyong Bowls Club enter a new era with upgraded green
Published on
10 September 2026 at 10:30am
Pictured: Acting Mayor Cr Ben Taylor with members of Buninyong Bowls Club
Pictured: Acting Mayor Cr Ben Taylor with members of Buninyong Bowls Club
Bowlers at the Buninyong Bowls Club are enjoying a revitalised playing surface following a City of Ballarat investment of more than $500,000 in the club's synthetic green.
The ageing surface has been replaced to improve playability, accessibility and safety, ensuring the facility can continue to support social, recreational and competitive bowls for years to come.
With older adults making up a large proportion of the club's more than 100 affiliated and social members, accessibility and mobility improvements were a key focus of the project. New handrails, surrounding concrete paths and improved access onto the green have made the facility easier and safer to navigate.
City of Ballarat Acting Mayor, Cr Ben Taylor joined club members this week to officially open the revitalised synthetic green.
“The Buninyong Bowls Club is an important hub for recreation, wellbeing and social connection, particularly for many older members of our community,” he said.
“These upgrades have delivered a safer, more accessible green that will support participation in lawn bowls and help the club continue to thrive for many years to come.
“Together with recent improvements to the Buninyong Netball Courts, Community Cricket Nets and BMX Track, we're ensuring that Buninyong residents have access to high-quality facilities, no matter how they choose to be active.”
Pictured: Acting Mayor Cr Ben Taylor with members of Buninyong Bowls Club
Pictured: Acting Mayor Cr Ben Taylor officially opened the new synthetic green this week
The upgraded synthetic green provides bowlers with a high-quality, consistent playing surface while supporting increased participation and year-round use. The all-weather surface reduces closures and maintenance impacts, allowing more members, visitors and community groups to enjoy the facility more often. New rink numbering, accessories and landscaping improvements have further enhanced the venue.
The renewed playing surface positions the club to support continued participation and growth in lawn bowls across Buninyong and the wider region.
Buninyong Bowls Club Vice President, Wayne Morgan said the upgrade would benefit members and visitors for years to come.
“This is a wonderful addition to our club that will allow our members to have year-round access to the green, whereas previously we could only bowl when the grass green was available, which was often impacted by Ballarat's weather,” he said.
“This new green will improve the Buninyong Bowling Club in terms of junior participation, competition and accessibility. In addition, it will expand our school and coaching programs and provide more opportunities for community access to our facility.”

Buninyong Bowls Club Member
Pictured: Members enjoyed a bowl on the new synthetic green
Buninyong Bowl

04/09/2026

Vale Bob Crowe
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Jude, Jillian, Fiona, Simon and the entire Crowe family during this very sad time.
Bob will always be remembered as a valued player of the Buninyong Bowling Club.
Bobby Crowe began bowling with Buninyong in the late 1990s, after many years of strong involvement with the local football club, where he was awarded life membership. Around that time, possibly following other footballers, he joined the Buninyong Bowling Club. Bobby was a larger-than-life figure and quickly became well known, both locally and across the wider competition.
Current members recall him occasionally leading in the club’s top division. He played 248 games for the Buninyong Bowling Club and was part of two premiership teams.

Many members have fond memories of bowling with Crowey. In his later years, when playing as second, he could often be seen standing on the bank behind an inexperienced third, pointing out the line for the skip to bowl—often in the opposite direction to the third’s call.
Even in recent years, he would sit under the verandah on Saturday afternoons watching the bowls.
He also played 128 games for Carlton FC in the VFL and was highly regarded, representing Victoria alongside teammate and Carlton legend John Nicholls. Carlton FC recently posted a tribute to him on its page and wore black armbands in last Saturday night’s final against Melbourne as a mark of respect.
Vale Bob Crowe, feted member of Carlton's 'Seven Cs'
Former Carlton half-back flanker Bob Crowe, a member of the Ken Hands-coached team which contested the 1962 Grand Final, has passed away at the age of 90.
By Tony De Bolfo, Carlton Media
Aug 27, 2026, 2:57 pm Source Carlton Website for the full reporting.
Bob's funeral will take place at Peter Tobin Funerals.
Doveton Park at 2pm Tuesday 8th September.

20/08/2026

Warm and Community-Focused
Tuesday is a big day for the club as we hold our first structured coaching session, led by our coaches and, on this occasion, Allan Donnelly, on our brand-new, beautifully presented green.
At the same time, our volunteers and contractors have been hard at work top-dressing, laser levelling, fertilising, and reseeding areas that were a little patchy. A huge congratulations and thank you to everyone involved. The results are already looking fantastic and are a credit to all who contributed.
We hope you're all enjoying your practice on the green and seeing the benefits of the hard work that has gone into it. We look forward to seeing everyone at Tuesday practice for what promises to be a great day.

18/08/2026

Congratulations to our two teams who competed in the grand finals yesterday, with our Division One team winning the Grand Final, a fantastic achievement.
Well done also to our Division Two team, who finished as runners-up for the year. This is a tremendous effort by both teams and a wonderful result for the Buninyong Ladies Indoor Bowls Competition.
As a club, we are immensely proud of the dedication, commitment, and hard work shown by all players throughout the season.
Congratulations to our Division One Premiership team and to our Division Two runners-up. You have represented the club with pride and distinction. Well done to everyone involved! 🎉🏆👏

15/08/2026

11/08/2026

Well done Buninyong.

20/07/2026

The fence has started and by days end it was well progressed. Thanks to Ballarat City Council and the contractor Melbourne chain wire fencing.

17/07/2026

One step closer to completion rinks laid out and numbered

15/06/2026

A current member and a former member flying the Buninyong colours at the AUS Open on the Gold Coast. Through the sectional stage - now for the knockouts on Wednesday.