Over 1,000 people rallied on Saturday in support of the Bangalow Bowlo and returning it to community hands, 11 months after Norths Collective closed the Bowlo.
Generations of Bangalow residents including families, sporting clubs, bowlers, musicians, and supporters filled the grounds for the Save Bangalow Bowlo rally, raising around $50,000 towards the community campaign and its legal and professional costs.
Save Bangalow Bowlo spokesperson Greg Nash described the rally as a ‘red letter day for Bangalow’.
‘We expected a big turnout because our community is very loyal. We care about our community assets, and we want the Bowlo back on reasonable terms,’ Mr Nash said.
‘I was overwhelmed by the very heartwarming attendance.’
The rally was hosted by the Bangalow Lions Club and organised by the Save Bangalow Bowlo Steering Committee (SBBSC), with an enormous contribution from local volunteers, sporting groups, musicians, businesses and supporters.
But organisers say the biggest thank you belongs to the Bangalow community itself.
‘People turned up in droves, with open wallets and open hearts,’ Mr Nash said.
‘The generosity was extraordinary, but just as important was seeing the whole community together. Kids were playing sport, the bowlers were there, local musicians gave their time and people of all ages came along because they care about what happens to the Bowlo.’
The rally comes almost 11 months after Norths Collective closed the Bangalow Bowling Club in October 2025.
Since then, the community campaign has sought a pathway for the property to be returned to community ownership and for the Bowlo to reopen as a sporting, social, and community venue.
Altering membership
The campaign has also raised concerns about the ability of some Bangalow members to access their Norths membership accounts.
Multiple members have reported being unable to access the online membership portal using their existing membership numbers. Subsequent inquiries identified replacement membership numbers for affected members, with the previous leading digit changing from 1 to 7.
The Save Bangalow Bowlo campaign says affected members were not aware of the change before experiencing problems accessing their accounts.
The group has called on Norths Collective to explain the membership number changes, when they occurred, which members were affected and how affected members were notified.
Despite the ongoing dispute, organisers say Saturday’s rally was overwhelmingly about community rather than conflict.
Forward momentum
‘The message from Saturday couldn’t have been clearer,’ Mr Nash said.
‘Bangalow hasn’t forgotten its Bowlo. This community is still here, we’re organised and we want our Bowlo back.’
The SBBSC are seeking financial and building-related documents from Norths in relation to why the club was closed and ceased trading and why they failed to meet the commitments made when they took over the Bowlo.
Raising funds
While approximately $50,000 was raised through the rally and associated fundraising on the day, ongoing funds are required throughout the next stage of the Save Bangalow Bowlo campaign. You can contribute to the campaign at: https://gofund.me/358a17a6b.
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