The 1998-99 season saw the club management adopt a computerized accounting system adding to our professionalism and the start of a major constitutional review.
The sundeck became reality enhancing our river views and work was undertaken on new sunshades.
In 1998 the President of the day, Dr Tom Foley, instigated negotiation to re-acquire the area adjacent to our bottom green with a view to construct a third green. Dr Foley pursued lengthy discussions with the Glenorchy Council for over a year before the transfer was finalised.
Unfortunately a decade later work has not yet commenced and a decision on the use of the area is yet to be reached.
The club adopted a new non sexist constitution and we entered the new millennium as one club with both men and women being equal members. Claremont was one of the first bowls organizations in Tasmania to become unified with the Tasmanian Bowls Council and the STBA following suit much later.
The GST arrived on the scene in 2000-2001 and was adopted without much fuss however it imposes a level of responsibility on a social organisation comprised mainly of volunteers that is hard to justify. None the less life goes on.
2001/2 saw maintenance work on the club rooms continue with a new dance floor and carpets.
Neville “Nifty” Pattison took on the task of project management of sealing the car park. The sealing although delayed due to weather problems has added another dimension to the presentation of the club facilities and was complemented widely by visitors and members alike.
The club traded at a marginal loss but expended $22,000 on improvements – a major achievement.
Our Division 2 Reserve side won a much needed premiership for the club and went within a narrow margin of winning the State Premiership. Our ladies made the grand final but were unable to win the flag.
In 2002 the Club elected its first female President with Jocelyn Balmer taking the reins for what turned out to be a three year term.
Fred Fleishmann and Peter Goldsmith ably assisted by club volunteers piloted the erection of sliding shadecloth on all four sides of the top green filling a long standing void in this area.
On the green an STBA reorganisation saw our Division 1 men’s side reallocated to Division 1 Reserve causing the loss of several players to other division 1 clubs. |
In 2003-4 the club was able to fight its way back into Division 1 and over the next few years this saw new members help us to eventually field five teams in men’s pennant on 2005-6. Four sides played in finals in this year. Division 5 and the Mixed competition teams taking flags.
In 2005 work commenced on installing a cool room to enhance our bar operations. Whilst the work was undertaken by a contractor many volunteers carried out the ground work to make the installation possible.
During this period the Annual Reports note the contribution of the Claremont Club to the many facets of Bowls administration in the state.
Max Barry continued to pilot the Umpires organization both locally and state levels whilst Ron Suckling was a state coach and also was heavily involved in coaching development at state and local level.
May Backhouse and Colin Balmer were both members of the fledgling Bowls Tasmania organisation. Tony Fulton was Secretary/Treasurer of the STBA and was also State Treasurer.
Claremont was certainly doing its bit for the advancement of the Sport.
Our volunteers were once again to the fore at Claremont in 2007/8 with a group led by Kerry Hay, Tom Bird, Peter Goldsmith and Peter Parker to name just a few laying pavers along one side of the top green further enhancing the presentation of the club.
A new floor was laid in the clubroom to cater for Indoor Bowls teams to compete in the local indoor competition thus adding a further activity to the clubs portfolio.
Significant event occurred in the 2007-8 season when the Board unanimously agreed to name the top green in recognition of the outstanding service to the Club of Molly & Dudley Coleman.
President Archie Wallace chaired the proceedings in front of a large attendance of present and past members. Peter McGruther designed and donated a wonderful carved wooden sign recognising the event.
Under President and Bar Manager, Archie Wallace the club was now attracting several private functions and this added to our Bar profitability.
As our fiftieth anniversary approaches our ladies have successfully fought their way into Division 1 after topping the Division 2 Pennant and our second ladies team have moved up to Division 4.
Our Men have maintained their Division 1, 2, 3, and 4 statuses which is a healthy balance for the future. |
