A New Chapter Begins for Katherine Lawn Bowls

After years of anticipation and community-driven restoration, lawn bowls has officially returned to Katherine.

On Friday 27 June 2025, the Katherine Country Club welcomed players, families, and supporters to celebrate the reopening of the town’s beloved bowling green, a facility that has been part of the local sporting landscape for years.

The original green, first opened in August 1983, was built not by contractors or corporations, but by the hands of Katherine residents.

Volunteers laid the foundations on the edge of a disused golf sand scrape, with locals like John May, John and Dot Abbott, Hilmet Floath, and members of the McLaughlan family among those who helped bring it to life.

Remarkably, much of the original structure remains today, from the foundations and conveyor rubber to the sand that has cushioned thousands of games since.

“To me, it’s really heartwarming to be part of a community whose past residents laid the foundation of a sporting facility that is about to turn into one of the premier bowls and sporting facilities in the Northern Territory,” said Katherine Lawn Bowls President Mal Trattles.

In his remarks at the official opening ceremony, Mr Trattles praised the team behind the project’s revival, thanking the current board of the Katherine Country Club, the Katherine Men’s Shed, the NT Bowling community and the newly formed Katherine Lawn Bowls Committee.

Two members of the McLaughlan family, Helen and Marion, both attended the opening ceremony, representing a family who helped build the original green more than four decades ago, and had the honour of bowling the first official bowls on the new surface.

Lawn Bowls President Mal Trattles with Helen and Marion McLaughlan.

The reopening was celebrated with the Katherine Lightning Carnival, a two-day tournament that brought together 32 teams from across the NT and interstate over the weekend.

Players travelled from clubs in Darwin, Nightcliff, Humpty Doo, Portland (VIC), Stansbury (SA), and Laura (SA) to take part in the event, further cementing Katherine as a new must-stop on the Central Australian lawn bowls circuit.

This recognition on the regional bowls calendar is not only a point of pride for the club, but a valuable opportunity for local tourism.

“As more players and supporters travel through Katherine to compete, the town stands to benefit from increased overnight stays, spending at local businesses, and greater visibility as a destination for sport and recreation,” said Mr Trattles.

The green is now open for group bookings and social bowls competitions, with the Katherine Country Club and Katherine Lawn Bowls Committee welcoming local organisations, social groups, and visitors to enjoy the newly restored facility.

Bookings can be made by contacting the club directly on (08) 8972 1276.