Historical information

James Albon is credited with building the first bowling green in Surrey Hills at his home on the corner of Mont Albert Road and Wilson Street (later occupied by the Roman Catholic convent). This green was so popular with his friends that he organised the formation of a bowling club at the corner of Montrose and Wilson Streets. It opened in 1912. Earliest club records date from 1916. The original club-house was rebuilt in 1922/23 using interlocking blocks as recommended by Walter Burley-Griffin. This was quite an innovative design at the time. In turn cream brick buildings replaced this building in the 1950s. The Surrey Hills Bowls Club disbanded in 1995.
The donor believed that this spoon belong to her grandfather David Miller (Dave) Mair who lived at 20 Barton Street until his death in 1938. Dave was an extremely keen sportsman (particularly bowls and cricket). He started the Kangaroo Cricket Club and worked for the Melbourne Cricket Club. She initially sent the spoon to the Surrey Hills Bowling Club in 1996, not realising that it had closed the previous year. It was returned to her and over 20 years later was donated to this collection.
This is part of a large donation of material relating to the Deakin, Mair and Young families, all with connections to the Surrey Hills and Mont Albert area.

Significance

This augments other material relating to the history of the Surrey Hills Bowling Club that was saved by Jocelyn and Ken Hall after the club closed in 1995. The official records of the club were deposited with the State Library of Victoria, but prior to this some summary notes were made by the Halls.
The material is evidence of one of the earliest sporting clubs established in the area.

Physical description

An EPNS metal teaspoon, consisting of a curved bowl with a decorative plaque at the top of the handle. On the front of this is an image of a lawn bowls ball and a jack within a scroll and linked with a band containing the words "SURREY HILLS BOWLING CLUB VIC". The plaque is inlaid in red, navy, white and black enamel. The makers name is impressed into the back of the handle.

Inscriptions & markings

Rear: "Paramount" / "E.P.N.S."