In many small settlements up and down the country, you’ll still find a bowling club.

That’s long after the local post office has closed … the local bank branch has closed … the local hotel has closed … and often even the local church has been deconsecrated.

There are 470 bowling clubs open for ‘business’ in New Zealand … which will in a few years for instance, surpass the number of bank branches still open (currently 650).

Sure.  Bowling clubs have been closing too.  But that rate of closure has significantly slowed over the past few years as clubs have established a new niche in their communities : not just facilities for people to play bowls, but also as a gathering place for the local community to socialise and engage with one another.

Like the local marae, bowling clubs are winning a valued role as community ‘glue’ … places that keep the community loving itself.

The Far North is no different to the rest of New Zealand.  You’ll find bowling clubs in settlements you’ve probably never heard of : Houhora, Oruru, Okaihu, Kohukohu, Rawene and Opononi.  They are settlements which are so small they refer to Kaitaia or Kaikohe as ‘the big smoke’!

Kaeo is another of them.

Kaeo is the gateway to wonderful east coast ‘must-go’ spots in the Far North … the recreational fishing base of Whangaroa Harbour; the idyllic camping spots of Tauranga Bay and Taupo Bay; the renowned fish’n chip shop perched over the water at Mangonui; and the ‘Rainbow Warrior’ memorial at Matauri Bay.

It’s also the home of the Kaeo Bowling Club ... a club that is determinedly nurtured by perennial President and Bar Manager Allan Martin and Greenkeeper Francis Dilworth (pictured).

“We only have 10 or so actual ‘members’,” says Allan. “But have many more who enjoy playing bowls casually here .. or simply socialising with their mates.  Kaeo’s not a big place.  If you count the population on a good day, you might come up with 250 or so.  But the local college is right behind us, so people in the area regard Kaeo as a bit of a base.”

And come in force they do … at least twice a year to a couple of big tournaments at the Kaeo Bowling Club.

“We have the Leslie Triples at Easter every year.  We fill the green with teams from all around the district.  We’d like to think they’re attracted by the bowls competition, but the hangi put on the by the local Leslie family is almost certainly the big drawcard … it feeds all the players and hangers-on.”

“And over Christmas-New Year, we run ‘the Rush Tournament’, so-named for one of Kaeo’s favourite sons : Eric Rush.  The extended Rush whanau and friends gather to play bowls, enjoy a feed, have a few beers, and tell lots of stories.”

This coming season, the Rush and Leslie supporters are going to be impressed by the condition of the natural green that Francis has prepared.

“Water’s always been our big problems here in Kaeo,” says Francis.  “Too much of it .. we’re right beside the Kaeo River and very low-lying.  But with the new State Highway 10 bridge just up the road, we’re expecting to see an end to the flooding that used to occur when the old bridge blocked up with debris.”

“That’s allowing us to get the green in better shape .. and keep it in shape,”

But it’s not the battle against flooding that causes Allan and Francis the most concern … it’s the battle against ageing.

“We’re getting older,” says Allan. “And not able to do as much as we used to do … or want to do.  We’re on the lookout for a few younger members who can carry the club forward.”

And the ‘Leslie’ and the ‘Rush’ may be the opportunity to do that ,,, and with a crowd in town glowing with alcoholic bon homie, twist a few arms into becoming hard-working volunteers!