Building the Bowlo

Founded and funded by altruistic opal miner, Madeleine Lenz (1917–2009), the Lightning Ridge Bowling Club was unofficially opened in 1967 by NSW’s Governor General, Lord Richard Casey (1890-1976). Attended by members only, the celebrations were jubilant, and the outback bowlers pulled together to make it a day to remember.

Madeleine was a devout Catholic with a strong community spirit and the male-dominated town was not always welcoming of her ideas. Determined and single-minded, she valiantly shrugged off their slurs and attempts to ‘run her out of town’ and focused on the collective. In 1965, aiming to create a social venue and alternative to the local pub for women and children, she loaned the town £64,000 to fund the ‘bowlo.’

While Madeleine managed everything from the pegging and application to the Western Lands Department for the site’s use, to the laying of the green, she was not alone in her endeavours. Miners John Molyneux (1933–1992), Neil Lohse (1934–1992), and Harold Hodges provided free labour. Shearer and miner, Bert Cooper (1907–2004) lent a hand removing inconveniently positioned trees, and green keeper Lew White added a fragrant touch and planted an Oleander shrubbery in the parched red soil.

Lord and Lady Casey attended the unofficial celebrations with local graziers Tony and Mrs Dowton and veteran opal miner George Low (1883–1975). Tony Dowton, also the club’s founding president, brought an air of medieval banqueting to the festivities, providing a wild pig roasted with an apple in its mouth. The lady bowlers helped out with hospitality, and Madeleine’s daughter, Berenice, travelled from Sydney to assist.

The day was a resounding success and Lord Casey was a fan of all he surveyed, commending the community’s efforts and remarking on their achievements despite difficult circumstances. Likewise enthralled although for entirely different reasons, Lady Casey bought some black opals from Madeleine before leaving.

Madeleine remained a trustee until her loan was fully repaid in 1973. Although the club was a popular social setting from the outset, gratitude for her efforts was less forthcoming. She was officially acknowledged for her efforts thirty-six years later, on her 85th birthday.