DEDICATED duo Terry “Tezza” Hobden and Robert “Beastie” Franklin typify the loyal people keeping the Rosewood Bowls Club going.
As Terry assists with planning the club’s 70th anniversary, his multiple roles highlight what some members of the Rosewood community deliver for their organisations.
“It’s just being down here and interested in the place,” Terry said, taking a break outside the clubhouse.
“It’s doing things, keeps you busy and keeps you occupied.”
Terry struggles to play bowls these days as he is dealing with dizzy spells on the greens.
However, the current club president remains a vital cog in the sport’s weekly operation, being a former secretary, junior and senior vice-president, treasurer, greenskeeper and games director.
He joined the club in 1980 and appreciates any community help – including from non-members who offer their time to mow and weed or assist with fencing.
Robert, a former Ipswich City Council employee, is a regular helper.
Although he has never been on the committee, he makes a valuable contribution around the club’s eight rinks.
“I’m usually down here every day with Terry, mowing the surrounds and just trying to tidy up,” Robert said.
Robert started with the club in the 1980s before having a break and returning after retiring.
“There’s a lot of history here and I knew a lot of the older people that are no longer with us,” Robert said.
“I just help out where I can.”
Robert praised Terry’s hands-on approach to keeping the club going.
“With a club this size, you’ve really got to be,” Robert said.
“It’s hard to get folks to come on board.”
As Terry and Robert go about their business, some competitions have been underway.
Rosewood bowlers have participated for the second year in the Q7s (seven-a-side) series featuring other South East Queensland clubs like Ipswich, Pine Rivers, Gatton, Salisbury and Kallangur.
Terry said a recent 3-0 win over “top guns” Salisbury gave the Rosewood team a boost not being in contention for the top three finals.
Pennants competition is set to start in July after the current Rosewood club championships are finalised.
Defending champion and club vice-president Karen Kington is proving the bowler to beat in singles competition.
“When she gets going, she is deadly … unbelievable,” Terry said.
Karen, also the kitchen convenor, joins Terry on the committee along with secretary Joanne Marshall, treasurer-games director Paul MacNamara and providore Greg James.
As for the 70th anniversary function, Terry said the committee was still deciding on a date and were working with club historian Matt Dale.
One option was later this year, as the club was formed in 1954.
However, another date is February next year, 70 years after the club was officially opened in 1955.
“I prefer the February one because it gives us a bit more time to get it all organised,” Terry said.
Terry said planning such a milestone function underlined the historic value of the club, which was established on the old Rosewood sawmill site in Mill Street.
“It is getting us out there in the news that we’re still here, we’re still going,” Terry said.
The Rosewood club currently has more than 35 members, boosted by some new players including juniors.
“We’d like to get a lot more interested,” Terry said.
Among priorities for the Rosewood club are seeking a grant to fix the worn ditches that have served the bowling community for decades.
The green also requires ongoing maintenance with some unlevel areas at times on the black soil.
“We’ve had a few hiccups, which is only natural for a bowling green,” Terry said.
“Minor problems and whatever and we’re sorting them out as we go.”
As officials look to the future, the historic club remains an important social hub in the area for bowls and a range of functions, enhancing 70 years of service.
