Bairnsdale Bowls Club

Croquet was played in Bairnsdale in the early 1900's. It was played in private premises before 1914 in Bredt Street, Riverine Street and Macarthur Streets.

The Club was officially formed at a meeting on 12 July 1920, where Mrs Archie Morrison was elected President; and in 2020 the club held a centenary celebration.  

On 23 November 1928 the then Shire of Bairnsdale approved the establishment of public croquet lawns in Pearson Street, its current site.

The lawns and pavilion (clubhouse) were opened on 1 March 1930 by Cr F J Kyle. The club played its first tournament in the following year. Golf, Association, Clock and American croquet were played at this time. Today Golf croquet is the only format played at the club, although some members also play Association Croquet.

In June 1946 four new lawns were established. The bank would not loan the club money for this and so members lent the club five pounds interest free each for twelve months. Eventually all monies were returned to the players. The lawns were opened in on 21 November 1947. Apparently, the Bairnsdale Club had the largest expanse of lawns in Australia.

In 1968 at the Annual General Meeting a motion was passed that the club be closed to male members. By June 1974 common sense prevailed and men were once again allowed to play. 

In 1999 the club was incorporated as part of the Bairnsdale Bowls Club. This assisted the club in becoming financial again and the maintenance of the lawns and clubhouse was undertaken by the bowls club.

Until 2000 croquet was not played during the winter months; we now play all year round.

In 2020 Covid 19 protocols reduced the days, games and members playing and pennant and tournaments did not continue during the pandemic however since 2021 the club has been back running several tournaments during the year as well as participating in pennant in the Gippsland Croquet Association.

As of 2025 the membership numbers for the Croquet Club are around 80.