Frog Wars Pt 1. The Battle for Hawthorn B.C.
Hawthorn Bowling Club is under siege from the petanque club they allowed to amalgamate with them a couple of years ago. Not unlike St Kilda a group of residents joined the club to ensure its survival and like St Kilda they allowed a petanque club in to stave off demise. And like St Kilda the petanque people have tried on the aggressive takeover. When I was secretary of Middle Park I was foolish enough to encourage the board to allow a petanque member onto the board. Smarter than the other clubs, MPBC did not allow the petanque people full membership or board status, just associates and 3 full memberships. Worst move we made allowing one of them into a management position. Petanque is a desperately waiting vulture hanging around suburban bowls clubs waiting to hear the death rattle and pounce. The extra revenue that they provide is not worth having to deal with this endemically treacherous mob. The next club I am aware of them trying to get their claws into is Dendy Park. Clubs beware!