Bulls History

The Sports Master of Bulimba State School, Mr. Harry Quinn, purchased 22 (ex-Army Disposal) hockey sticks (the old English style with the long hook), and while they were worse for wear with worn hooks from being used on gravel bull rings, those sticks played an important role in establishing a stronghold for the sport in Bulimba.

Harry Quinn was a remarkable man. While being a teacher at the school, he had no playing experience in the game of hockey but encouraged the youngsters to respect the rules of the game. With the co-operation of Ralph Wakefield, Quinn established a primary school competition on the southside of the Brisbane River with Norman Park, Morningside, Cannon Hill and Bulimba playing fixtures on Friday (Sports Day) at Bulimba Memorial Park.

Traveling to Victoria Park fixtures was a mammoth affair for the Bulimba players who were referred to as 'Islanders' and were forced to take the paddle wheel steamer "The Hetherington". Most players avoided paying the half-penny fare and dodged the conductor so they could buy a frozen orange or two ice blocks after the game at Father Kelly's store in the Valley. Most players walked to Victoria Park or doubled mates on their pushbikes. Certainly nostalgic history, but no club survives on nostalgia alone, only human dedication combined with the love of the sport.

Fortunately the family togetherness had rewards after only three years. Bulimba won their first premiership in 1947 in the J2 Grand Final. That team included Bill "Stinker" Bitossi, Jack Stitz, Neville Metcalf, Don Dixon, Stan Howard and the Grant brothers Ray and Ian. Bulimba's attitude continues in their present activity with hard-working parents and volunteers carrying on the tradition of building club strength from junior players. Bulimba were honoured to have people like the late Keith Carstens and the late Allan Lane whose contribution and personal sacrifice for Juniors set an unequalled standard.

Many hours of daylight training on the Bulimba Memorial Park were spent learning the skills of hockey, and at night with no floodlights, for physical condition, the teams played a game of soccer. With the comradeship amongst the club members and the hours of training, Bulimba improved their hockey immensely. The Club's No. 1 team worked their way through the grades of the Brisbane Hockey Association.

• 1945-46 B2
• 1947-48 B1
• 1949 Senior
• 1950 B Senior- undefeated during the season (then lost the Grand Final to Valley
• 1951 A Grade 2nd Division- Runners-up to Coorparoo, now Eastern Suburbs
• 1952 A Grade 2nd Division- Runners-up to Commercial
• 1953 A Grade 2nd Division PREMIERSHIP
• 1954 promoted to A1 grade when Hamilton withdrew. Bulimba contested the semi-finals in their very first year of A1 Grade; being defeated by Wilston 2 goals to 1 goal
• 1954-85 Bulimba were coached under the guidance of Greg Browning, an International Hockey Player, who improved the standard of hockey within the Club from Wooden spooners to win the A Grade 1st Division Premiership in 1979 against Commercial. Bulimba's first premiership.
• Bulimba were runners-up in the A Grade 1st Division in 1978, 1980 and 1982.

The Women’s Division of Bulimba Hockey Club was founded in 1972 by a group of players and parents. Their first season of playing was in 1973 and were originally located at Clem Jones fields at Carina.  In 1979 the club relocated to join the Bulimba Men’s Club at Colmslie Reserve. 

Between 1996-2000, following BWHA, BHA and Hockey QLD taking over the lease of the fields to develop the now State Hockey Centre, the Bulls had to relocate to the Gateway Sports Club at Tingalpa. In 2000 with a $15,000 Grant to install lighting, the Bulls approached the SHC and negotiated a lease agreement to make the Colmslie Reserve our home again.  We have been very fortunate to call this venue our home ever since and thankful for the support of the SHC Board and Hockey QLD for their ongoing support of our club.

We are very proud to say that during the last 50+ years we have appointed many life members, with some of whom are still playing or actively involved and some with over 50 years of service to our club.  With such depth and experience in our club we have been able to offer a great family feeling and provide teams for players aged 5 yrs - 70 yrs to be actively involved in our amazing sport.

The Merge of our Men & Women Club was an initiative identified by both our clubs and will play a significant role in the future growth, development, viability, sustainability, and future success of both our clubs as a united entity.

We started the process in earnest in August 2018 after hiring a facilitator to help work through the many layers needed to bring about the introduction of a New Constitution and a new framework of our Clubs Joint Management & Operational Committees.

In 2019 with the Men celebrating their 75th year, the Bulls once again became the shared Lease holders (with Bulimba Cricket Club) of the Grass fields at Colmslie Reserve. At a Special General Meeting on 2 February 2020, it was voted to dissolve Bulimba Women’s Hockey Club and merge with the Men’s Club, the Bulimba Hockey Club Inc. In 2021 we held our 1st AGM as one club and elected a new Management and Operating Committees.

We all look forward to the ongoing development of all our Hockey players and Club and we are all very proud of the joint history of our Past and Present members and what they will bring to the merge of our Clubs.

The Bulimba Hockey Club has been built on a foundation of family, community, and passion. Over the decades, its members have embraced every challenge with resilience, resulting in a legacy of excellence. Significant contributions by members have left an indelible mark on the Club’s history.

Today, the club offers opportunities for players across all age groups, fostering the same family spirit that inspired its creation. As we look to the future, the club continues to build on its heritage, with plans for new uniforms and branding that reflect the unity and pride of the "Bulls Family."

From schoolyard beginnings to state and national prominence, the Bulimba Hockey Club remains a pillar of strength and community spirit in Australian hockey.

1949 First Senior Premiership was achieved in B2 Grade.

1953 Jack Higgins was the first Queensland Under 21 representative.

1954 Ian Grant was selected in the Australian Under 21 team from National Championship.

1955 Ian Grant was selected Best and Fairest and an Australian Under 21 team member in Perth.

1961 Bulimba Senior Club provided four playing fields at the Colmslie Reserve for playing BHA fixtures

1965 Bulimba entered seven junior teams, winning two premierships – J2 & J7

1967 Bulimba's Junior & Senior Committees prepared Carina for junior hockey training

1968 Senior and Junior fixtures played at Carina.

1972 &1973 Bulimba won back-to-back Junior Club Championships.

1973 Neil Bullion was selected Vice-Captain in the Queensland Junior team.

1978 Bulimba assisted Logan Hockey Club to form their club with the Brisbane Junior Hockey Association.

1979 Bulimba, under the expert coaching of Greg Browning, won our first ever A Grade Premiership at Graceville.

1987 Neil Bullion completed 21 years of hockey and won the deserved Oakbridge Best and Fairest Award.

1993 Bulimba won Junior Club Championship

1997 Bulimba won Senior Club Championship

2016 Bulimba BHL1 and J1 won the Premierships

2024 Jayden Atkinson debuted for Australia, playing for the Kookaburra’s on the international stage

Past and Present members who have won the prestigious Oakbridge Best and Fairest Medal are- Greg Browning, Peter Batty (2), John Rodda, Neil Bullion and Ori Gasparini. In recent years, Michael Francis has won the Division 1 Best and Fairest for two years in a row (2023 and 2024) which is an incredible and uncommon feat!

Dean Butler, Stephen Lambert and Troy Elder were named in the Queensland team of the decade 2015.

In recent years we have returned to the force we were in the halcyon days of the 1980's when the club was in the thick of premierships and trophies in all divisions.

• In 1997 eight teams were in the semi-finals, with divisions 1, 3, and 4 winning the Memorial Cup; divisions 3, 4, and 6 winning the Presidents Cup. In the Grand Final Division 3 lost 0-1, Division 4 won 3-1, Division 5 won 2-1 and Division 6 lost on penalty strokes.

• The A Grade team under the leadership of Peter Batty and Sean Dancer accomplished a wonderful run of 4 premierships in a row from 1999 to 2002 and has been a force in the the top 4 or 5 since under Jason Hale, Geoff Hawgood and Troy Elder.

• In the junior ranks the greatest success has been the increase in playing strength by two teams from 1996, in Under 11 and Under 15 age groups. This club is going from strength to strength with four teams in the semi-finals and Under 11 Division 1 team winning the Grand Final 2-1.

• In 1997 Jason Hale, Jason Mangan, Sean Dancer, Michael Brennan, Scott Brennan, Troy Elder and Dean Butler gained representation in the National Hockey League, with Troy, Dean, Michael and Scott all moving to the Australian Institute of Sport.

• In 2024, every single Men’s Senior, Junior and Masters team made finals, along with the Women’s ML3 and MM1 teams. Division 5 were also the winners of the Memorial Cup.

Bulimba Womens Division Life Members

Order Name Year awarded Active Service Years of Service

1 Fred Husted 1981 1973 - 2000  21yrs Deceased 2000

2 Bess Husted 1982 1973 - 1989 15yrs Deceased 12/12/2004

3 Helen Allan 1988 1974 > present 50yrs 2023

4 Wendy Nicholls 1987 1974 > present 50yrs 2024

5 Jill Gardner 1990 1973 - 1980 8+yrs

6 Jean Hooper 1990 1981 - 1990 10+yrs

7 Jan Hughes 1992 1978 - 2012 21yrs Deceased 09/01/2012

8 Gaye Swaffield 1997 1980 > present 40yrs 2021

9 Kim Sheather 1997 1976 > present 40yrs 2019

10 Joanne Smith 2001 1978 > present 40yrs 2021

11 April Parmenter 2012 1984 > present 40yrs 2025

12 Yvonne Gibson 2012 1973 > present 30yrs 2013

13 Lynda Boyle 2019 1981 > present 30yrs 2023

14 Jacklyn Hale 2019 1994 > present 30yrs 2024