OPINION
AS ROSEWOOD rugby league and soccer officials gear up for 2025 seasons, it’s timely to consider the region’s sporting history that is being celebrated.
Rosewood Bowls Club members and supporters recently shared in a 70th anniversary ‘Cobbers party’ at their Mill Street venue.
People representing the Rosewood club have been called Cobbers in recent years, giving more pride and building on past history.
The anniversary milestone was honoured on February 8 with morning bowls and a luncheon where oldest life member – 103-year-old Edie Bambling – helped cut the ceremonial cake.
That provided a special moment, highlighting the loyalty of club members like Edie.
Rosewood Bowls Club’s anniversary followed another important historic event across town.
Rosewood Golf Club, situated on Karrabin-Rosewood Road, was the venue for another 70th celebration late last year.
It was a memorable night where life memberships were bestowed upon dedicated duo Janelle Browning and Mary Gibson.
Club secretary Janelle has been one of the most dependable committee members since taking on the job in 2014.
Before that, she had helped juniors, performed ladies handicapping work (2011) and was a ladies club vice-captain (2012). She was appointed ladies club treasurer in 2013, and continued that role until 2019 while also working as club secretary.
Mary has been a valuable volunteer, fulfilling multiple roles like running the Sunday barbeque and social club activities, along with gardening and cleaning.
Janelle’s life membership was particularly emotional for her with another family legacy in the Rosewood community.
Janelle’s son Dean, aged 19, died in a car accident on his way to work in Victoria in May 2023.
The keen angler is being remembered through a memorial award presented each year at the Rosewood Amateur Fishing Club presentation.
The perpetual shield, for the junior or senior member who lands the heaviest yellowbelly at Glenlyon Dam each year, was gifted to the club by the Browning family.
Such memorials are valuable in any sporting organisation.
So are the black and white photos of past presidents and honour boards hanging on the walls inside the Rosewood bowls and golf clubhouses.
These photos and names showcase seven decades of loyalty and club commitment that must be recognised for future generations.
Rosewood Bowls Club president Terry Hobden sourced quirky items from old minutes books to use in his speech at the anniversary.
If only the clubhouse walls could also talk and preserve more Rosewood sporting memories.
History is too precious to lose.
Much has been lost in past Ipswich floods so sports clubs need to preserve what memorabilia they can and keep photos well out of any harm’s way.
The Rosewood Roosters, at Anzac Park, and Caledonian Park-based Rosewood United Soccer Club Crusaders are among other clubs establishing new history.
Having strong junior bases in rugby league and soccer provides an ideal opportunity to involve young people in kicking ahead while reflecting on past achievements and traditions.
One certain observation from my time dealing with Rosewood clubs is that community spirit is strong.
Despite the inevitable challenges and committee changes, country pride motivates people to retain their important identities.
Learning from past history can help set a positive path for the future.