Rolling out the welcome mat: Lawn bowls match celebrates new veteran hub

In 1997, following almost 22 years of service, Tim McCrorey retired from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). His last posting as an Intelligence Officer had been to Borneo Barracks, Cabarlah, so settling in Toowoomba was an easy decision.  

“Toowoomba has one of the highest number of veterans in Queensland, so there’s a pretty friendly, sociable community here. We meet up at all the commemorations and get on well together,” Tim explains. 

L-R: Susan Carter RAAFA; Ian O’Brien, Graeme O’Brien and Tim McCrorey Harlaxton; Keith Carter, Allan, and Gary Hauck RAAFA. 

Camaraderie in country Queensland 

Staying involved in the local veteran community was important to Tim and in 2010, a friend recommended he join Harlaxton RSL Sub Branch. One year later, he volunteered on the Sub Branch’s committee and climbed its ranks until being elected president in 2021. 

“Harlaxton RSL Sub Branch was formed in 1957 by a group of Toowoomba RSL members who lived out at Harlaxton. We have around 90 members in our Sub Branch and our small but active committee keeps it going,” Tim says. 

“We get together with other ex-service organisations as much as we can, having previously conducted joint bus trips with the Toowoomba RAAF Association (RAAFA) to provide welfare and outings for veterans and their families. Toowoomba RSL Sub Branch has been here for 105 years, and the Naval Association, Legacy, Young Veterans, and a TPI group are here too.” 

A crackerjack partnership 

For the past 25 years, Harlaxton RSL Sub Branch has rented space from the North Toowoomba Bowls Club (NTBC). NTBC made the decision to sell its property but retain the bowls club, and a group of locals, which includes a current serving Army member, formed a consortium and purchased the property this year, now called Northies. Their aim is to create a lawn bowls, veteran and family community hub in Toowoomba. 

“Their idea is to develop a hub for the Oakey and Cabarlah Bases, where serving and ex-serving members, families and community members can get together in an informal setting to socialise,” Tim explains. 

L-R: Merv. & Tom Walter Memorial Trophy, Tony Cameron Northies, Tim McCrorey President Harlaxton Sub Branch.

“The hub introduces the community to the fact that we have two Army bases out here and a few thousand serving members and their families. It’s a family-oriented space designed to let people know we’re here, eager to connect with the local community, and learn about each other’s unique lifestyles.” 

Harlaxton RSL Sub Branch has been working with Northies to promote the new hub and have enjoyed using the space for functions and meetings. Most recently, the Sub Branch applied for a DVA grant to install display cabinets to help generate a positive atmosphere in the space. 

“Now that a proactive business is running our Sub Branch’s venue, we are hoping to attract younger members, hold more functions and become more active with social gatherings,” Tim says. 

“It’s an evolving initiative with a lot of potential, so we are happy to work with Northies to try and develop it.” 

Let the good times roll 

On 2 November 2024, the Northies community came together to celebrate the bowls club’s 75th anniversary, as well as launching the new community and veteran hub. To celebrate these milestones, Northies hosted a friendly bowls tournament featuring a dedicated veteran’s competition. The event was a great success. 

“The fact we could all get together from different ex-service organisations and have an enjoyable, friendly and social game of bowls made it a good day,” Tim recalls. 

L-R: Mike Dolan and Peter Cole Harlaxton, Allan RAFFA, Sam Toll, Susan and Keith Carter RAAFA, Tim McCrorey Harlaxton, Tony Cameron Northies, Gary Hauck RAAFA, and Dave Boland Harlaxton.

“None of us are bowls club members, so it was a lot of fun watching everybody bowl. The competition was very friendly, with lots of camaraderie and a bit of interservice organisation rivalry, but it was all good fun.” 

While Harlaxton RSL Sub Branch faced a tough challenge against their local RAAF Association rivals, they ultimately won the veteran’s tournament with a score of 7-1, collecting a $100 prize from Northies for their efforts. They are hoping to make this competition an annual event for the Toowoomba veteran community. 

Asked if we can expect another winning appearance from the Harlaxton RSL Sub Branch lawn bowls team anytime soon, Tim laughs. 

“It’s always good to start with a win, but I don’t think we are going to take the world by storm!” 

Keen to join or volunteer with RSL Queensland? Find your local RSL Sub Branch and become a member.