The origins of our proud lawn bowls tradition date back to 1919. On February 19, 1919, a meeting of ex-servicemen and defence-ready volunteers, many of whom had just returned from World War I, passed a motion to establish a Lawn Bowls Club. This moment marked the beginning of what would become a cornerstone of the local community.
The first Annual General Meeting took place on September 4, 1919, and soon after, in May 1920, members and volunteers came together to construct the original clubhouse. This building was officially opened on October 30, 1920, and remarkably, still forms part of the club's existing structure, a living link to our history.
1921: The club became officially associated with the South Australian Lawn Tennis Association, highlighting its dual sporting focus which continues to this day.
1925: A pivotal decision was made to divide the club into two distinct sections: Lawn Tennis and Lawn Bowls, allowing each to grow and be managed more effectively.
1945: The end of World War II saw a resurgence in membership, as returning servicemen and women rejoined the club. Many remained actively involved for decades, enriching the club's culture and strength.
1955: A proposal from the General Treasurer led to significant expansion, including the construction of a locker room and visitors’ room, supporting growing membership and community engagement.
1976: Further upgrades and major extensions to the clubhouse were completed, reflecting the ongoing growth, modernisation, and development of the club’s facilities to better serve its members and community.
1995: The amalgamation of the Bowls section of the club with the Marryatville Bowling Club occurred. Thus with this amalgamation of the two Bowling Clubs we became the Kensington Marryatville Bowling Club.
2006: Embracing inclusivity and progress, the men’s and women’s lawn bowling sections were merged to form a unified Lawn Bowls section, ensuring equality and shared opportunity for all members.