Mrs. W. Miller, veteran bowler and croquet player

At an age when most people have lost interest in engaging in sport, Mrs. W. Miller, of 6 Rome Street, Toowoomba, is one of the keenest members of the West Toowoomba Ladies' Bowling Club.

Mrs. W. Miller, foundation member of the croquet club (Trove, National Library of Australia)

MRS. W. MILLER

Not only does she play bowls, but she also finds in her five-foot, seven-stone body sufficient additional energy to enable her to swing a practised mallet on the West Toowoomba Croquet Club's lawns.

Eighty-one last birthday, Mrs. Miller is a foundation member and life member of both the croquet and the bowls clubs, and has been on the committee of the bowling club for the 17 years since its inception on August 12, 1936.

A familiar figure on Toowoomba bowling greens and croquet lawns, Mrs. Miller is well and favourably known to followers of the two sports on the Downs.

For the first four years of the West Toowoomba Ladies' Bowling Club's existence, Mrs. Miller was president, and during that period the club was placed on a sound basis. She had another term of office as president last year.

"There were 26 players when we started, Mrs. Miller said, when interviewed at her home yesterday, "and now there are 74. Arranging games now is quite a business."

The bowling green is directly opposite Mrs. Miller's home, and her husband's services, in an honorary capacity, are often called on in the care of the four greens which make up the club's playing area.

Not only are the Millers well known in bowling and croquet circles. Over the years they have built up an enviable reputation as horticulturists and show exhibitors.

Mrs. Miller, who was born in Toowoomba, has been a member of every horticultural society formed in Toowoomba, and is a foundation member of the present Toowoomba Horticultural and Dahlia Society.

Specialising in the growing of roses, gerberas and carnations, Mr. and Mrs. Miller have numerous certificates and trophies, which testify to their success as gardeners.

Back in the eighties a show society, known among the townspeople as "the Cockies' Show," was formed in Toowoomba, and shows were conducted in the part of the town known as "The Swamp."

Mrs. Miller entered an exhibit in the fancywork section at the first "Cockies' Show," and has been an exhibitor at every show since held in Toowoomba.

In those days, Mr. Miller said, the Royal Agricultural Society's Show was regarded as the graziers' and squatters' show.

Mrs. Miller has exhibited at every Royal Agricultural Society Show since the society began operations, and was the first to win the rose bowl presented by Mr. C. Searle.

When Dr. Price was Mayor of Toowoomba, the City Council conducted a home garden competition. Mr. and Mrs. Miller entered; they won one section and were placed in another.

They were then living in Russell Street, and had to depend on rain water only. They were placed first in the section for gardens using rain water only, and second in the open competition.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller achieved the honour of winning the home garden competition conducted by the City Council during the Queen's visit.

They do all the work needed in the garden, and do not have any outside help.

They said they were looking forward to entering in the "Chronicle" home garden competition during the forthcoming Carnival of Flowers.

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 15 July 1954. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)