The History of Pickering Place
It all started when…
Much much more than 80 years to get to where we are.
A story of who we are,
- from Euoggera to... Enoggera
- from Pickering Family to... Pickering Street
- from Enoggera Bowls Club to... PICKERING PLACE - a special place for our community and the home of the Eagles. Here’s how it happened.
Before Bowls
Before the arrival of European settlers, Enoggera and Gaythorne and all the land on Brisbane's northside to the North Pine River was occupied by the Turrbal people. For more information, see Turrbal Aboriginal Nation. Both suburbs became farming land with European settlement and over the years have now become highly developed parts of Brisbane's inner circle of suburbs with considerable diversity of residential, commercial, light industrial, retail and educational facilities.
The name Enoggera seems to have come from a Turrbal word ‘euoggera’ meaning, 'place of water' or 'place of breeze'. The area was settled by Europeans in the 1840s. The area developed as a farming region, including orchards, vineyards etc, as good water was available. Timber-getting and sawmilling were important early industries, with Carrick's Sawmill an example of this.
In 1845, John Brennan was one of the earliest settlers, purchasing 15 acres for farming. Six years later, Thomas Hayes purchased 33 acres and then in the late 1860s, James Perry attempted to develop a viable gold mining enterprise in the Enoggera Range at Mountain Rise Mine, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
In the 1870s, a couple of local vineyards sprung up. In 1870, Edward and Hannah Pickering developed their General Store after also establishing a farm (1860s), planting grapes and producing red wine under the name of Rose Hill. The Pullen Family was another on to start a vineyard.
Other local wineries included the Surrenden Vineyard and Winery (operated by Thomas and Harriet Lade, and now marked by Lade Street) and Hurdcott Winery (operated by William and Elizabeth Nicholson and now the site of Hillbrook Anglican School).
The locality at the western end of Pickering Street and the nearby railway station were initially known as Rifle Range, due to their proximity to the Enoggera rifle range. In 1923, the name was changed to Gaythorne, taken from a property in the area owned by Howard Spencer Bliss until 1913. He had named his property after the Albion home of his wife, Lucy Margaret Vidgen. Other early settlers, Edward and Hannah Pickering, established a farm in the area and had their home near the present Gaythorne railway station. Pickering Street, named after the family connects Enoggera and Gaythorne and is a very busy commercial centre and thoroughfare.
Starting Bowls
In 1939, World War II was just a few months away but 30 sportsmen had more peaceful pursuits in mind when they gathered at Enoggera Memorial School of Arts. At that meeting the Enoggera Bowls Club was formed, with the foundation members choosing a little-used Pickering Street sports ground as their headquarters. The foundation committee were:
- President – W.W. (Bill) Raymont
- Senior Vice President – Bob Gardiner
- Junior President – C.D. (Chas) Ireland
- Secretary – W.W. (Wal) Smith
One of the first decisions of the club was that any person joining prior to 30th June 1939 would be regarded as a foundation member – there were 50 foundation members. Negotiations with the Enoggera Sportsground Committee were successful in obtaining handover of the ground for erection of the clubhouse and development of the green. Dance and card nights were held regularly to raise funds.
The ground where Enoggera Bowls Club is now located, was part of a vineyard during the 1860’s, it was owned by Mr Pullen and included Edward Pickering as an employee – both well known pioneers of the Enoggera and Gaythorne areas. Tenders were called for the construction of a Clubhouse in mid 1939. The tender of F. Collins for £690 was accepted in December. 1939 and the Clubhouse was opened on 9th February, 1940. Meanwhile the construction of the first green was in hand with levelling and filling of the site proceeding through mid 1939
Construction of the green was completed by Christmas 1939 and the members had their first roll up on their own green on January 6th, 1940. The green was officially opened by Colonel Annand, President of the Q.B.A on 9th February, 1940. Green fees were 1/-.
Growing Bowls
There were many problems during the war years. Afternoon tea was provided if some members provided tea and butter coupons. Nobody had spare clothing coupons for hand towels, tea towels and table linen. Newspaper used in toilets (for economic reasons?) blocked the septic. Beer and cigarettes were continually hard to acquire. The Greenkeeper resigned and the Manpower Department refused the Club permission to advertise for a replacement. This was overcome by members placing notices in R.S.L. Clubs.
Two rinks were constructed in the early forties on the Alderley Progress Assn. property (next to the old Fire Station) by Frank Haddrell and used for Sunday play. At that time Bowls Clubs could not open on Sundays. Still the Club progressed- a second green was commenced with just three rinks completed towards the end of 1944. They were officially opened in January, 1945. This green was subsequently extended to full size in 1947 and officially opened on 14th February, 1948.
During the early years membership was restricted to 60 (1940): 70 (1942): 72 (1943): 74 (1944): and 85 (1945).
So ended the war years with the Q.B.A. playing their Championships at our Club in 1945 and the Committee adjourning their May meeting to hear Churchill declare the war in Europe was over. The club grounds provided the opportunity for members and their families to remember the fallen.
Many stirring meetings were held during 1956/57/58 regarding Club extensions and renovations. Problems included the rejection of the Club plans by the Brisbane City Council in September, 1957. The B.C.C. demanded that the Club extension be constructed of fire resisting material. Nearly three years planning culminated in the calling of tenders in March, 1958.
SJ. Carrick, the successful tenderer. completed the extensions in late 1958. The total cost of £8,433, a substantial sum in 1958. So was the amount of £683 realised by Club members following a drive for funds to equip the new Clubhouse with up-to-date furniture. At the same time the bar and bar fittings, not included in the building contract were installed by Club members Bill Guy Tom Massey and Charlie Boughey for the cost of materials It was a great year for the Club with a record profit and a loan of £6,000 only needed to pay for the Clubhouse extensions. The extensions to the Clubhouse had two official openings. On 23rd August, l 958 the unfinished Clubhouse was ceremoniously opened by the Q.BA. President Jack Reed. The second opening occurred on 18th April 1959 when Q.B.A Vice President, Jack McBarron opened the Centenary Gates and Memorial Plaques.
Growing Community Engagement
The 60s/70s saw unprecedented expansion of interest in bowls and many clubs greens were regularly full from week to week as the mothers and fathers of the baby boomers started to enjoy the benefits of their hard work as their child rearing responsibilities diminished. At it peak the club had four bowls greens in action and these were regularly ‘full’ with bowlers
FOUR GREENS
1. RAYMONT Green
Our first green was officially opened by Colonel F.W.G.Annand on February 17th. 1940. Named after a man who was a Foundation member. our first President (President three times in all).He was a Trustee from the Club's inception in 1939 until his death in 1959. He won further distinction as President of Q.B.A. in 1954 and was a Councillor of the Q.B.A. for many years. This green was officially named the W.W. Raymont green in December. 1959.
2. GARDINER Green
Our second green started out in a small way with just three rinks completed towards the end of 1944. They were officially opened in January. 1945. At that stage the adjacent land was occupied by the Department of Interior and the Club was negotiating for their vacation of the land. Their efforts were successful and the green was extended to full size in late 1947. It was officially opened and named the Bob Gardiner green in December 1959- Bob Gardiner was a Foundation member. a Trustee. our first Vice President and later President. He gained distinction as Q.B.A. President in 1950/51 and A.B.C. President in 1957/59.
3. AYRE & 4.MASSEY Greens
Work on our third and fourth greens commenced simultaneously in late 1969 and they were completed in 1970. At that time we received considerable publicity being the first Club in Brisbane to have four full sized greens. The greens were officially named in 1975. FRED AYRE was President of the Club in 1953 and served on the Council for twenty-one years. For many years he was also Q.B.A. Delegate, Publicity Officer and Pennant Selector. TOM MASSEY was a Councillor for eleven years and Providor for nine years. He was known as Mr 'Fixit' and cheerfully constructed and repaired many Club items that remained in use for many years. Our first tiff dwarf green was the Tom Massey Green laid in November, 1977 and played on four months later.
Site approval for the Founders' Hall extension was obtained in February,1979. With plans prepared and a bank loan of $170,000 a contract was awarded to B.T. Beamish & Co. for the work. At the same time the old Clubhouse was demolished and part of our land adjoining the railway line was leased to the Metropolitan Transit Authority. The new Clubhouse was officially opened on 30th May. 1981 by E.B.C. President. Bert Luke ably assisted hy R.Q.B.A. president Syd Lingard. Q.L.B.A. President Ev. Burton and E.L.B.C. President Mette Kerr. In 1981/82 two more tiff dwarf greens were laid (Raymon! and Ayre) and the roadway rear of the Club concreted. The western car park was concreted in 1982/83. A new greenkeepers building was completed in 1986. In the 1987 /88 financial year we excavated and rebuilt the Fred Ayre Green at a cost of $43.000), provided aluminium seating on all greens ($11,000), provided drainage and purchased equipment to $7000 and still managed to increase cash in hand by over $15000.
In early 1974 our Club commenced its long and pleasant association with the T.P.I. Social Bowls Club. The inaugural State Presidents "At Home" anywhere in Australia was held at Enoggera Bowls Club in January. 1982 with over 150 Club Presidents attending. Enoggera was the only Club to field eight teams in the 1983 Metropolitan Pennants. Glass panel dedicating the Hall to Foundation Members was installed in 1984.
The newly expanded Founders Hall provided the location for weddings, birthdays, dances and events of different clubs who made good use of the extensive space and facilities. Dancing classes and Saturday night 60/40 dances became regular features of the socialIn the late 80s, with the future looking ‘rosy’, the clubs’ members decided to gift a parcel of the club’s land to the State Bowls body in the prospect of this proximity providing benefits for the club. The 99 year lease for $1 has provided bowls in Queensland with a significant financial dividend. Sadly however decisions like this and the changing demographics would soon have consequences for this once prosperous club.
Towards the end of the 90s the club sold a parcel of land abutting the railway line which is now used as carparking for railway commuters. Many members participate, contribute and enjoy the benefits of club cameraderie. There are a small number who make a long term impact on the club and the two lists above are of ladies and mens members who have made a more than ordinary contribution to the club well-being and longevity.
In the early 90s the club bowling strength was at an all time high, with the club’s mens team winning the coveted SEQ First Division pennant beating a star studded Coolangatta team which had multiple State and National representative players in their team.
Rebuilding for the Future and for our Community
Toward the end of the twentieth century the shift in Australians’ lifestyles started to materially impact bowls participation. As individuals, we became wealthier, more educated and pursued far more interests and activities during both our working lives and retirement: the role that local bowlos like Enoggera played in the community started to shift. As this change occured the number of people actively participating in club bowls started to decline to the extent that the two ‘back greens’ were converted to other sports activities - these greens had been earlier relaid with artifical surfaces and so conversion to Futsal and Beach Volleyball was relatively straightforward. Inside the club, the amount of other clubs, organisations and events became an important contributor for the continued operation of the club. Interest in club membership and formal bowls competitions had more than halved the club membership numbers.
By end of the first decade of the new century, concerned club members started to look at redevelopment opportunities using the club’s ownership of the land as the primary basis for securing funding for the redevelopment. This redevelopment has resulted in a complete re visioning of the site to become a more commercially oriented venue providing facilities and services for many within our community. Concurrently with these real estate aspirations, the interest in competitive bowls resurfaced with the club adopting the eagle to symbolise prowess, alertness, focus and expansive vision.
In 2017 and 2018 the club won the district level first division pennant flags and went onto play off the last eight in the State, in both mens and ladies competitions. In 2018 both ladies and mens teams made the State Final to be narrowly beaten by champion club Helensvale. The Enoggera Eagles are now a strong contender in the Premier League Queensland competition, which is one of the strongest bowls competitions in Australia.
From the Turrbal people who knew of this area as Euoggera, to the early European settlers who called it Enoggera, to those families such as the Pickerings, who shaped a new life in a new land and to the founding 50 members of the Enoggera Bowls Club who started a journey over a period of 80 years (from June 1939 to June 2019) the site and the club and the people within the club have joined together to create a special place, Pickering Place - the place for our whole community to enjoy what our ancestors have bequeathed us through their care and their energy for us to lead healthy and happy lifestyles. Pickering Place is THE Place for meeting friends staying healthy and having fun. Pickering Place is great new spot for the Enoggera Eagles too!