Bangalow locals racing to raise $100,000 to help reopen beloved Bowlo

THE Bangalow community is on a mission to raise $100,000 by this Friday in a push to reopen the town’s beloved bowling club, with local tradies stepping up to deliver minor repairs and maintenance free of charge. Their efforts form part of a broader campaign to demonstrate the club’s business viability — a key legal requirement for regaining its licence and proving long-term sustainability.

The proposal will be presented to Sydney-based conglomerate Norths Collective, which shut the doors of The Bowlo in October, less than three years after amalgamating with the club. Norths cited the deteriorating condition of the clubhouse, ongoing financial losses and an “unsustainable trading outlook” as reasons for the closure.

In a statement posted to The Bowlo’s Instagram page, Norths said that if local efforts failed to progress, it would consider expressions of interest from other clubs. But it said priority would be given to community-led initiatives “provided a sound business plan and funding commitments were submitted in the coming weeks”.

More than 120 residents gathered at Moller Pavilion in Bangalow Showground last Sunday, with a new advisory committee formed to spearhead negotiations.

The community’s GoFundMe campaign surged past $30,000 within its first 24 hours, and by midday on Wednesday 3 December donations had reached $72,461. The Steering Committee is now encouraging philanthropic contributions, with several local families and business owners engaged in confidential talks.

Figures presented at the meeting indicated that Norths reported a $5 million trading loss across the past two financial years and is in the process of selling Seagulls for a reported $30 million.

Examples of successful community-run clubs — including Marrickville Bowlo — were showcased to highlight the viability of hybrid models that combine sport, live music and family-friendly hospitality.

 

To support the effort, residents have divided themselves into specialist working groups covering building maintenance, hospitality operations, governance, legal liaison, fundraising, communications and heritage assessment.

First opened in 1910, The Bowlo has long stood as a cornerstone of Bangalow life — a home for local sports teams and a gathering place for family events, entertainment and community fundraisers.

Bangalow builder and carpenter Joey Moule, from Fliphouse Designs, said the club was an important local asset and he was keen to pitch in to help.

“It’s a place where we met people when we first moved up and a social hub in an informal setting that’s needed,” he said. “The number of spots in the Byron Shire you can go in work boots is shrinking. If I can swing a hammer and do something to help, then great.”

NSW Minister for Trade Emily Suvaal also raised the issue in parliament last week.

“When Norths sought amalgamation in 2022, it did so with a glossy campaign of promises,” she said. “Norths told the community that ‘the fundamental business model is not broken’ and that Norths could ‘help improve it and make it sustainable with considerable ongoing community investment’.

“Norths pledged transparency, repairs, capital works and long-term stewardship of a treasured local club. It emphasised it had the financial capacity to deliver ‘significant capital investment’ and assured members that operating in line with the memorandum of understanding was in its legal and reputational interest.”

But Suvaal said Norths failed to make the essential repairs it had identified as urgent, leaving the roof, gutters and structural issues unaddressed while undertaking only superficial fixes.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/bangalow-community-reopen-bangalow-bowlo

To volunteer time, skills or professional expertise email [email protected]