Bowling

Although the sport of bowling first started in Egypt, Australians have bowled since the 1600’s. The game is slightly different from the bowling we play in America. All players roll all their bowls, or balls, and whoever is closest to the jack, which is the target, is awarded points.

Bowling was definitely around in the 13th century and may or may not have been around in the 12th century. A drawing from the 13th century shows two people aiming at a small cone instead of a jack while kneeling. Another drawing from the 13th century shows three people aiming at a jack while stooping. A 14th century drawing shows two people standing, but what they are aiming at is unclear.

In 1844 or 1845, the first recorded bowling game in Australia was played behind Sandy Bay Tasmania. The first bowling club in Australia was created near the Bowling Green Hotel, which is in Sandy Bay, and was closed in 1853. In 1864, the Melbourne Bowls Club was formed, which is the oldest currently existing bowling club. In the same year, the first Australian made bowls were turned by Mr. Alock. In 1867, the first Victorian set of rules overseeing interclub matches, or games, was approved. Lawn bowling has been one of the events in the Commonwealth Games every year since 1930 except 1966. In 1982, women in Brisbane, Australia, competed in lawn bowls in Commonwealth Games. The European version of bowls, also known as bocce, was introduced to Australian in the early 1900’s.