Bundy Bowl & Leisure Complex •
Bundy Bowl & Leisure is truly a locally run business.
1978 saw the opening of a 12 lane Bowling Centre with a cafe and arcade area in a small building to the side of what used to be known as Sugarland Shoppingtown in Bundaberg.
Peter McElligott, now the Managing Partner of Bundy Bowl & Leisure, started there at the age of 16 years, straight out of Bundaberg State High School, along with his mother Bobby.
Peter worked as a Junior Pin Chaser behind the scenes and Bobby, his mum, worked in the cafe, later to be joined by his sister Dawn, also in the cafe and reception.
All three enjoyed working in their areas and took a general liking to the then new sport of Tenpin Bowling when not working. Both Peter and Bobby won the prestigious local Masters of Tenpin Bowling Tournament with sister Dawn as runner-up.
It wasn't long before Peter was promoted from Pin Chaser behind the bowling machines to Senior Head Technician. The centre was then owned by the Tofts, a renowned family name in the cane industry. Years passed by and the owner at the time, Noel Toft, promoted Peter to Centre Manager at the young age of 26. Peter then married a local girl Jeanette deGunst and they went on to have two daughters, Ashlee and Brooke.
Bundy Bowl grew to be one of the busiest regional Tenpin Bowling Centres in Australia. Unfortunately the owner Noel Toft tragically died in a car accident and the centre had to be sold. In 1978 a successful partnership was formed between Peter & Jeanette McElligott and Noel & Joan Ambler from Brisbane. Noel had extensive experience in the Tenpin Bowling industry and was joint owner of other Victorian centres. It was then named Pete n Noel's Bundy Bowl.
In 1996, the centre was moved to new premises from Sugarland Shoppingtown to it's current side at 17 Lester Street to start what was one of Australia's first Family Entertainment Centres.
It was re-named Bundy Bowl & Leisure Centre to reflect this.
Bundy Bowl & Leisure Centre was then seen as one of the leading Family Entertainment Centres throughout Australia with regular training of Bowling Centre proprietors and Managers from throughout Australia.
Peter & Jeanette McElligott are the Managing Partners of Bundy Bowl & Leisure and they continue to employ up to 35 locals and provide a great social activity for both the bowler who wishes to play competitively in the Sport of Tenpin Bowling and also create a multitude of Fun Leisure Activities that are forever being updated for all ages to enjoy in Bundaberg. Over the past 42 years to 2020, Bundy Bowl & Leisure has been a part of the local community with generations visiting the centre either as a Junior League member or have come along to a local birthday party at the centre.
