Rathmines Memorial Bowling Club which trades as “Club Catalina” is now a thriving community Club with an excellent restaurant and bar facilities which are open six days a week.
The very popular “Taste of Thai” bistro is a major attraction of the club serving excellent Thai food as well as very good Australian fare.
Set in an idyllic position on a peninsular jutting into Lake Macquarie the Club is an ideal venue for weddings, birthday parties, wakes, and Christmas end of year functions.
Membership has grown from less than 1000 members in 2019 to just over 2000 members in 2025.
In 2025 there were 126 Full bowler members and 72 Social bowler members.
Improvements to the club in recent years have included:
Due to the high cost of maintaining grass greens, the Board decided to install a synthetic green. This was installed in 2000 and was immediately hailed as being a first-class green with any visiting bowlers applauding the performance of the green.
In 2006 the second grass green was replaced with a synthetic green, further reducing our costs. Due to some faults in laying this and some legal battles the synthetic surface was replaced in 2010 by the original contractors.
In 2021, the synthetic surface on No 1 Green was replaced with a new synthetic surface at a cost of $165,000. A grant of $34,000 was received from the NSW Govt, with the support of local State member MLA member,Greg Piper, who opened the new green in December 2021.
In 2025, the ageing shade structures between the two greens and on the western side of No 1 Green were replaced with permanent roof structures which provide much improved shade and shelter for bowler.
Also in 2025 the old mesh fence and seats on the northern and eastern sides of the greens were replaced with modern pool fencing and aluminium seats.
Over 100 full bowler members and 70 social members play Social bowls on Tuesdays (women), Wednesdays (men), Fridays (mixed) and Saturdays (men).
Teams are entered in the greater Newcastle Bowls Pennant competitions including the Open Gender Pennant competition played from February to May each year. In addition teams play in the Men’s and Women`s mid-week Pennant competitions played at a similar time of the year. Teams also play in the Open Gender 3 x 3`s competition run from July to September.
3 x 3`s Section Winners
Whether you’re interested in bowling, relaxing by the lake, or connecting with new friends, there’s a place for you here!
