BILL PENGILLY

October 1, 2009
When Bill Pengilly joined the Manning Bowling Club forty two years ago, he had no intention of playing the game. “I only joined for the cheap beer. My Mum and Dad were foundation members of the club, so I joined,” he said. “In those days there was no social membership, and to join you had to play at least one game a year. So I partnered mother in the mixed pairs once a year.”

In 1970 Bill went to Melbourne for a couple of years, and when he came back started to play a bit. “I started off leading for Johnno Johnson in fifth division, eventually being promoted to fourth. I led for Johnno for ten years,” he recalled. “I had long hair in those days, and the question was often asked of Johnno: “Where'd ya get the longhaired git from?” Johnno was a character. “We got 'em.” was his catchcry when a good bowl came his way.”

Bill on the right with that long hair

Pengilly moved to play second with Phil Gillespie, as the club fluctuated between top red and white divisions, eventually being given a rink in 1995 with the encouragement of selector, Bill Morton. “We were devastated in 2001 when we lost first division after being there for thirty eight years,” Pengilly said.

Bill Pengilly has won the club singles five times, and has been runner up on four occasions. “It's an ambition of mine to win another singles before I drop off the perch,” he laughed.
He also has his name on the honour board for every other championship event. And his name appears a lot on the other honour board, too. After being chairman of the bar committee at the age of twenty five, he has served in most positions on the management committee, including President from 2000 to 2002.

In 1982 Pengilly skippered Brian Clare and Wayne Smith to equal third in the State Triples, losing to Dave Wallace, Mark Pasalich, and Joe Rodin, from the Yugoslav Club, the other equal third side being another Manning team of Phil Gillespie, Gordon Bates, and Jimmy Weir. With Eddie Hammond, Nigel Rees, and Dave Steineck, Bill finished equal third in the State Fours of 2000, and also was selected for Metropolitan against Country.

----------L/R: Nigel Rees Dave Steinback, Eddie Hammond and Bill Pengilly



Bill enjoys reminiscing about the old days.

“The club really used to jump on a Saturday night after a game,” he said. “We would get out to the nightclubs, still in our creams, and dance the night away. We'd give the yanks hell when the ship was in.”

Asked about the best players he'd seen, Bill said: “Peter Sardelic, with his runny shots into the head, and Bert Sharp for sheer class, with Branko Katuna-Rich up there as well.”

Bill Pengilly is semi retired these days, after a long career as a Manager with CBC Consolidated Bearings. He likes the odd punt, enjoys skippering in pennants, and follows South Fremantle and West Coast.

For a bloke who began his bowling career using his mum's bowls and playing only mixed pairs, he's done pretty well.

RON HEAD