EVER-busy Terry Hobden laughs when it’s suggested he’s a “local legend” in the Rosewood community.
However, the Rosewood Bowls Club president continues to set a fine example of keeping a valuable country sports club up to meeting its challenges.
Since joining the club in 1980, Terry has fulfilled all the major roles except secretary because “I’m not into computers, never have been”.
He has served “plenty of times before” as president – his latest stint since 2019.
Terry previously helped the club as junior vice-president, senior vice-president, treasurer, greenskeeper and games director.
He was working at the bar before making time to share his and the club’s story.
Terry accepts that it is difficult growing a club with 30 playing members and a number of social bowlers.
“We’re finding it tough,” he said.
“There’s not that many real young’uns in here. Most of them would be over 50.”
However, he appreciates a boost in social bowlers over the past few months and in seeing the loyal club supporters sharing the camaraderie.
Terry is also hoping to attract younger players from the nearby high school by sending students for fun days through the week.
“It’s still a little country town and you’ve still got that feeling that it’s there,” he said.
“You can still walk up that street and say g’day to umpteen dozen people in the morning. You go and get your paper or meet them down the shop, so it’s all good.”
The club battled through Covid having been established in the early 1950s on the old Rosewood sawmill site in Mill Street.
The men’s club was later joined by a women’s section before the two bodies merged.
The honour boards on the walls inside the clubhouse display decades of Rosewood sporting success achieved on the bowling green outside.
The inaugural president in 1953-54 was E O’Sullivan, when the club opened after a series of earlier meetings in the area.
While the club continues to provide regular bowls opportunities and a bar, Terry is hoping to secure a grant for a new deck – with wheelchair access – and getting the green ditches replaced.
Among the popular events are this month’s Hobden Family Fun Day open to all bowlers.
Club officials also organise interclub championships and competitions with other bowls clubs.
One of the new events is playing for the Rosewood-Gatton-Mt Crosby Friendship Shield.
The annual pennants series is scheduled to start in July.
Terry grew up in Esk before his family moved to Ipswich.
The former Toogoolawah State High School student later relocated to Rosewood where he joined the bowls club.
He worked for 36 years in various jobs for the former Moreton Shire, which was later merged with the Ipswich City Council.
Terry ventured into bowls after retiring from his role with Council in 2008.
“I just enjoy the game,” he said.
“You’re trying to beat Mother Nature out there – the wind, the moisture, the green and all that sort of stuff.”
Two other attractions keep the dedicated local official devoting countless hours to the club.
Terry remains lured by the camaraderie and having a few beers with mates after a game of his beloved bowls.
