ISBN 978-1-923214-08-8
PAPERBACK
Alphington Bowls Club
The First 100 Years
Not your traditional bowls club
Founded in 1921 by ‘men of girth and mirth’, the Alphington Bowling Club is not your traditional bowls club, and this is not your traditional history. Located in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, the ABC lies on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people, whose ancestors lived on and cared for the land for over 60,000 years. The history of Alphington Bowls Club actually began well before 1921.
Author Peter Rushbrook has skilfully interwoven records related to the foundation of the club, together with historical events and identities from the Alphington area. Peter has captured the long-standing essence of the club and its transformation as a unique and dynamic community club.
The story is complimented by interviews with ABC’s living legends’ who reflect and share their club memories, such as why the ladies refused to make sandwiches for the men, a Sydney Mardi Gras tale, and how the club transformed and became the hub of the community.
About the Author
Peter Rushbrook is a retired university academic with an extensive background of researching, writing and publishing history within the genre of Australian adult and vocational education. His PhD (Monash University, 1995) examined the foundation of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) in Victoria and post-doctoral work over the following decades further refined his pioneering study. Along this journey Peter’s attention was occasionally diverted to consider military, family and biographical history.
For him, life as a professional historian was the fulfilment of a childhood passion for all things history and his career as a senior educator, researcher and staff leader was always considered a vocation rather than a job, so much so that he remained constantly surprised that he was actually paid to do something he really loved. Peter and wife Carole now live a rewardingly diverse life in Central Victoria. He meticulously tends his Japanese-style garden and plays bass guitar within the vibrant local music scene. He remains active as a researcher and writer and is Adjunct Associate Professor (Vocational Education and Training) in the School of Education at Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga Campus).