Green Island Bowling Club

🟢 What Goes Into Maintaining a Bowling Green?

Ever wondered what it takes to keep a bowling green in top condition?

It’s a lot more than just a quick mow!

Throughout the season (and even in the off-season), there’s a full programme of work that goes into keeping the green playing consistently well:

✔️ Mowing & Rolling – to maintain a smooth, even surface and consistent pace
✔️ Spraying & Treatment – managing weeds, pests, and overall turf health
✔️ Watering & Monitoring Conditions – adjusting for weather and keeping the green “game fit”
✔️ Repair & Recovery Work – fixing wear and tear from regular play
✔️ Rink Rotation – spreading play evenly to avoid overuse in certain areas

The goal? A surface that’s true, reliable, and enjoyable to play on every time you step out there.

And while you might not always see it happening, there’s a lot of time, effort, and attention to detail behind the scenes to make that possible.

Next time you’re on the green, take a moment to appreciate all the hard work that goes into it!

Today we would like to give a very special shout out to Lynne Seddon.

Lynne is an integral part of Green Island Bowling Club and is one of those people who quietly steps in and helps with anything and everything.

From helping out on the green by digging out clover, weeds and tufts of grass, to helping in the kitchen, doing the recycling, assisting with venue hires, cleaning the clubrooms, and everything in between — you name it, Lynne does it.

She never moans, never makes a fuss, just simply gets on with the job at hand.

At our recent prize giving, Lynne was awarded both the Club Captain’s Trophy and the President’s Trophy in recognition of the incredible amount of work she does around the club. Both were so very well deserved.

On top of all that, Lynne is just a lovely person to be around and a valued member of our club.

Thank you so much, Lynne, for volunteering your time, energy, and care to help make GIBC the fantastic club it is. We are very lucky to have you.

Did you ever wonder what’s behind the brick wall?
Well, let us tell you… it’s one of Green Island’s best-kept secrets!

The Green Island Bowling Club is available for venue hire, and we have wonderful facilities that are perfect for almost any type of event.

We regularly host birthday parties, engagement parties, work meetings, team-building events, bingo nights, games nights, and even an annual speed cubing event! Lately, we’ve had a fantastic run of first birthday celebrations and baptisms within the Filipino community, which has been so lovely to see.

Our venue includes:

✅ Large hall
✅ Comfortable lounge area
✅ Full kitchen
✅ Speaker and party lights
✅ Fully stocked bar
✅ Bar staff provided
✅ Plenty of space for decorating and setting up
✅ Option to come in the night before to decorate, if the venue is available

We can also help make your event something a bit different — why not bring your work team along for a social game of bowls followed by dinner and drinks? It’s relaxed, fun, and a great way to do something together outside the usual workplace setting.

We’re always happy to arrange viewings so you can make sure the venue is the right fit for your event. As long as the venue is free, we’re also happy for you to come in the night before to start decorating and ease the pressure on the day.

To find out more, visit our website and head to the Venue Hire tab to download our Venue Hire Pack:

www.greenislandbowlingclub.co.nz

Come and see what’s behind the brick wall — you might be surprised by what you find!

Congratulations to our very own Max Grey in winning the Men’s Champion of Champion Veteran Singles at the Bowls Dunedin Awards tonight. Well done Max, GIBC is very proud of you!!!

A big shout out and thank you to Ron Kirk and Paul Desborough.

Ron and Paul joined Green Island Bowling Club a couple of seasons ago, and from day dot they have got stuck in and helped wherever they can. They are always happy to roll up their sleeves and take on jobs around the club — painting, installing shelving, fixing things, maintenance work, and all the little jobs that make such a big difference.

At the moment, they are replacing the rotten timber around the outside window sills and giving them a fresh coat of paint. They have also stripped out the hallway outside the men’s bathroom, ready for repainting, and will be putting a window into the adjoining office door to let in more natural light.

We are very grateful to this hard-working duo for everything they do around the club.

A big thank you also to all of our members who help with maintenance and works around the club. Green Island Bowling Club would not be the lovely club it is without our Works Team and the people who quietly give their time, skills, and energy behind the scenes.

Thank you, Ron, Paul, and everyone who helps keep our club looking its best.

A fantastic start to our winter social calendar today with lunch at Concord Bar & Kitchen!

Concord Bar & Kitchen are one of Green Island Bowling Club’s long-term sponsors, so it was lovely to be able to support them in return and say a very genuine thank you for their continued support of our club.

We had 27 members come along, which was a great turnout. The meals were absolutely lovely, and the company was even better!

It was great to see everyone socialising and enjoying time together over winter. We hope to see just as many members at our next social calendar event. Stay tuned!!

Thank you again to Concord Bar & Kitchen for looking after us so well.

We’d like to give a huge shoutout to Mary Vincent, the heart and soul of our club kitchen 💚

Mary works tirelessly behind the scenes, preparing all the food for our tournaments, fundraising events, and social nights. From early starts to long days, she always delivers with a smile and keeps everyone well fed.

Her efforts play a massive part in making our events such a success, and the club simply wouldn’t be the same without her dedication and hard work.

Mary, we truly appreciate everything you do — thank you so much!

👏👏👏

🌟 Supporting Those Who Support Us 🌟

We’d like to give a big shoutout and heartfelt thanks to our valued sponsor, YOU Travel & Cruise Mosgiel (formerly Zest for Travel), for their ongoing support of the Green Island Bowling Club.

You may have noticed their brand new signage up at the club — it’s looking fantastic and we’re proud to have them alongside us as a key supporter of what we do.

Their continued sponsorship helps us keep the club running, maintain our facilities, and provide a great space for our members and the wider community to enjoy.

If you’re planning your next getaway, we’d highly recommend getting in touch with the team at YOU Travel & Cruise Mosgiel — local, knowledgeable, and always great to deal with ✈️🌴

Thanks again for your support — we truly appreciate it!

💚 The Green Island Bowling Club

Mother’s Day isn’t just about the flowers and the thanks — it’s about the women who keep everything going. The ones who show up, check in, organise, support, and somehow still find time for bowls.
To all the mums, stepmums, nanas and mother figures in our bowls whānau — we see you 💛
And while you’re busy looking out for everyone else, take a moment for you. Check your bowls. Regular breast checks matter, and early detection can save lives.

🟢 A Bit of Green Island Bowling Club History

Did you know Green Island Bowling Club has been part of our community since 1887?

For almost 140 years, the club has been a place where locals have come together—not just to play bowls, but to connect, compete, and be part of something bigger.

Over the years, generations of members have stepped out onto the green—some for competition, some for a social roll-up—but all contributing to the strong sense of community that defines the club.

While plenty has changed over time, one thing hasn’t—the spirit of the club. It’s always been about more than just bowls. It’s about the people, the stories, and the shared moments along the way.

As we head into the winter break, it’s a great time to reflect on the history that’s built the club we enjoy today—and the many people who’ve played a part in it.

Here is a photo of the Opening Day in 1907.