Bendigo Club - The Friendly Club

The Club was established in 1911 when a group of business men and sports men decided that Bendigo, a rich gold mining centre and rapidly growing commercial city, deserved a second licensed social club. so the Citizen’s Club was established in Bull Street in the centre of Bendigo. This Club had several important tenants during it's 63 years of occupancy in the original premises in Bull St. During the 1970’s the Club membership was between 600 and 700.After a period of investigating new Club sites, the 1973 Committee decided to purchase an existing catering business known as “Woodbury House”. The building was potentially suitable for a mixed club with expanded social activities. The new site had great possibilities indeed. The surrounds of “Woodbury House” had enough room to park approximately 150 cars and included a beautiful garden.
		Negotiations were concluded to purchase the building and most of its fittings and separate purchases provided four building blocks. An additional 3 building blocks were purchased later. In February 1974 the entire contents of Bull Street were re-located to Reception Avenue by the members. This move naturally entailed the transfer of the license to Woodbury House at Reception Avenue, so the committee decided on a change of name to Bendigo Club. An eight rink bowling green was constructed on three of the building blocks in 1976. The Bowls Club was established, which was named the Woodbury Bowling Club was the first Bowls Club in the Shire of Strathfieldsaye.