Bowled over but not out

But all that could end if the 130-member club fails to reverse its ‘short-term cashflow situation’.

All but one Town of Victoria Park councillor voted down a council recommendation to support the club’s request for two $20,000 low-interest loans, at last Tuesday’s meeting.

Councillors said granting the loans ” for plumbing, gas, turf and alcohol debts ” would be irresponsible because the 102-year-old club has no equity or guarantor.

President Rod Wishart, the club’s longest surviving member, said he was ‘very disappointed with the ‘councillors’ attitude’.

‘We can’t afford to close because we’ve been here for too long,’ the 78-year-old said. ‘The club’s membership has paid for numerous extensions over the years to the bar and the hall, which is the only community hall in the Town.

‘Council hasn’t spent anything on this club until five years ago, when it had to spend about $100,000 to replace the asbestos roof due to health and safety regulations.

‘They (the Town) say it doesn’t have any money to build a new clubhouse even though they promised us one eight years ago if we joined with the Carlisle Lathlain bowling club.’

In February, the Town decided not to proceed with the Carlisle Lathlain Community Centre, which was to be the club’s new home, because its $37 million cost could not be justified.

Mr Wishart said he would appeal for individuals to lend the club between $1000 and $5000 to be paid back over two years.