Valley View - The foundation years from 1956

1956 was one of the wettest years in Kyabram’s history. The then President of the Kyabram Golf Club Dick Isaac and his committee, frustrated by the course often being under water despite continual pumping decided to investigate the possibility of buying land free from flooding and to form a new District golf course.

Tongala, at that time had a nine-hole golf course situated where the present water supply dam is now located but in the light of the dam being established that club was also confronted with the problem of either closing down or relocating to a new venue.

An informal meeting of the two executives found that the Tongala golfers were most supportive of the proposal for a new District golf course which could serve both towns. At the time there were also a number of residents of both Girgarre and Stanhope who were playing golf at Tatura and the thought occurred whether it might be possible to establish a golf course which would benefit the residents of Kyabram, Tongala, Girgarre and Stanhope. Despite the fact that money was still very hard to find in the postwar years a widespread canvas of the district generally found that many district people were enthusiastically in favour of the proposal and promises to the tune of £2500 were quickly forthcoming. 

The next objective was to find land which might be suitable for the purpose of a golf course. Just by good fortune Mr. A.S. (Jim) Henry reported that 114 acres of what he thought was suitable land at Mount Scobie was available for purchase from Mr. Greg Guinan. No time was lost in inspecting this land and Dick Issac, Jim Henry, Alan Johnson and Tom Richards were unanimous that the subject property could be developed for the purpose of a golf course. A decision was made to proceed with the purchase of the 114 acre property which was situated about 5 miles west of Kyabram. Fortunately generous terms were offered by Mr. Guinan. Given its location and its panoramic views to the east the name “Valley View” submitted by Frank Mansell was eventually chosen.

The foundation committee elected on 30th April 1957, comprised President Dick Isaac (Kyabram), Vice President Alan Johnson (Tongala), Secretary Bill Brewster (Kyabram), Ass. Secretary Max Lee (Kyabram) and Treasurer Lindsay Dillon (Kyabram). Committee members were A.S. (Jim) Henry (Kyabram); Neil Menzies (Kyabram); V Guiney (Tongala); E Costello (Tongala); G Cameron (Tongala); M. Rowlands (Kyabram); W. Hunter (Tongala) and F Mansell (Girgarre)

After much discussion club members comprising Alan Johnson (Chairman), Tom Richards and Ed Costello were appointed to lay out a course. The fact that very few changes have been made in the last 60 years is testament to their excellent vision.

By July 1957 a plan for the proposed course had been adopted and fairways pegged out. Sand for the sand scrapes was purchased from a pit at Tongala and carried to the course by Mr. L M Parker at a cost of £63. With help from the farming members, who willingly and voluntarily supplied their equipment, the large task of forming the course began. By the end of 1957, amid great enthusiasm and pride, much work had been completed.

The first Annual meeting was held on February 24th 1958. Members fees were fixed at £5/5/0 for men and £2/2/0 for ladies. Ladies were at that time only associates and compared with today had little or no say in the conduct of the club’s affairs.

By this time numerous trees had been planted on all fairways and were progressing well. Many of these trees are still a feature of the course today. The fairways were sown with couch and clover by Frank Maskell and John Clayfield whilst over three tons of superphosphate were applied.

The Shire of Deakin Council graded the area for the erection of a new clubhouse, which in effect was an old disused army hut, purchased for £350. This hut was transported to the property and erected by Nunn Bros of Tongala for a further £100. Many hours of voluntary work from members, and mainly the farming community, were spent dismantling partitions and making the hut suitable as a new clubhouse, humble though it was.

Opening day for the new course was fixed for April 19th 1958. Mr Bill Stokes of Echuca, the then President of Goulburn Valley Golf Association raised the flag and declared the course open in the presence of 350 golfers and visitors.

The President's wife Mrs Jessie Issac drove the first ball to conclude the opening, and a nine-hole event was played.

Towards the end of 1958 the club suffered a severe loss when Mr. Bill Hunter, a foundation member, committee man and an excellent worker, was killed in a road accident. A perpetual trophy was dedicated to his memory.

Given its location and the stony nature of the terrain it was necessary to apply over 200 yards of sandy loam over what is today the 17th fairway. During the early years all members were obliged to carry a bucket and pick up stones in an effort to overcome the continuing problem of “stones”. This practice continued for many years.

By 1960 it was evident that the existing club house was no longer adequate. Plans were drawn up to double its size and further extensions were completed in 1962. Membership applications continued to increase with the result that the number of members was increased to 200 upon completion of the extensions.

Cape weed was a constant problem on the fairways in early spring each year and it became necessary to purchase spray annually. Again the spraying was carried out by volunteers. Even then it was clearly evident that this club was being built on voluntary labour and self-help.

Within three years of play commencing, the club membership had expanded to 150 and a decision was taken to limit membership to 160. It was also recognised that sand scrapes themselves were a source of slow play and the Committee, often embarrassed with members finishing their golf round after dark, decided to take steps to introduce grass greens.

To achieve the objective of grass greens it was necessary to apply for a water right for the course. President Dick Issac again led a deputation to the Chairman of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission and the club was eventually granted a water right in 1963. Many sceptics said the club would never be able to get water to the course. It was then that the committee asked for the help of Mr. George Gordon, himself a club member, and an engineer with the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission. Gordon reported that having completed his survey it was possible to get water from Mrs Colvin’s property a mile south of the golf course. A deputation was made to Mrs Colvin who proved to be most cooperative and helpful and also agreed to an easement being established through her property for the purposes of supplying water to the golf course. There were two other property owners nearby who refused to consent to such an easement through their property or to assist in any way with the supply of water to the golf course. That was their right but it was a decision which was very much regretted by the many members of the club. A further deputation to Shire of Deakin Council was therefore made and after much discussion an easement was granted down the roadway and a drain constructed to enable water to be brought to the course. The object of obtaining a water right and bringing water to the course had been achieved.

Tenders were called for the construction of a six-acre foot dam near the roadway and this in turn was eventually completed by Mr. Edgar Golding. The earth from the dam was used as the base for the grass greens and teas. What was left over was dumped near the clubhouse and later used to form the base for Bowling Green. A magnificent donation of sand to top the grass greens for sowing (some 800 yards) was made by Mr. Norm Moller of Girgarre. This was carted to the course at the cost of six shillings a yard and once more the farming members of the club spread and levelled the sand with their tractors and equipment. Tenders were called for the supply and laying of the watering system which in due course was awarded to Southern Cross of Melbourne for the sum of £7894.

At the annual meeting in 1964 the secretary Mr. Syd Muir-Smith reported a membership of 246 members including 135 associates. All could be proud of the progress the club had made in seven short years. 

Prior to the advent of the Valley View Golf Club many of its members had played bowls locally at Kyabram, Tongala or Stanhope in the summer months and then golf largely at Kyabram or Tongala in the winter months. It was little surprise, therefore, that a bowls subcommittee was subsequently formed under the direction of Ray Crow with a view to establishing a new bowls club. Again, after countless hours of work from numerous willing volunteer members, the first bowling green was sown in July 1968 and eventually opened for play in April 1969. There is no doubt that without the enthusiasm, thought and energy of Ray Crow, the foundation president of the Bowls Section the establishment of the green would not have been as successful as it turned out to be. This green was quickly recognised as one of the best greens in northern Victoria and was chosen as the venue to host a Victorian Inter-State game in 1972.

Further improvements continued. A new machinery shed was erected in 1966 to house the growing stock of machines necessary for the course maintenance. Tree planting continued under the able guidance of Frank Mansell and Ray Crow and 500 more trees were planted in a short space of time. That year also witnessed the telephone being connected to the clubhouse for the first time.

At a special general meeting attended by 61 members on December 15, 1967 the committee’s recommendation to apply for a liquor licence was approved. This had its own difficulties as alterations to the clubhouse became necessary and a new constitution had to be approved to conform with the requirements of the Liquor Control Commission. John Pilley, a partner of Morrison and Sawers was tireless in his efforts to obtain the licence in an honorary capacity.

Development continued. Lights were installed on the bowls green in 1970 and the clubhouse premises were fully air-conditioned in the mid-1970’s.

Whilst further improvements have continued since the 1970’s there is little doubt that the Valley View Golf and Country Club was established on the foundations of community service, self-help, goodwill and countless hours of voluntary labour, something which unfortunately has been lost to most parts of our society today.