John Ernest Gustafson – WA’s first National Champion
Bowls WA Hall of Fame Inductee 38 John Ernest Gustafson (1874 – 1967) Fremantle Bowling Club
John Ernest Gustafson was one of the pioneers of bowls within Western Australia and joins illustrious company as the 38th Inductee into the Bowls WA Hall of Fame.
In a career spanning 54 years he won pretty much everything there was to win within Western Australia in bowls at that time and has a playing record to rival any modern day great with four state singles, three pairs and a fours championship to his credit. However perhaps his biggest achievement on the green occurred at the first ever National Carnival hosted by Western Australia in 1924 where he won WA’s first ever national championship in singles – a feat that would take another sixty years to be repeated.
As reported in the papers of the time the highlight of the Carnival was J.E. Gustafson’s victory in the Australian Singles Championship.
“The final match against the Victorian Swain was an absorbing contest before a gallery of some 500 spectators. With both men immediately finding green and length, they went shot-for-shot for an hour, by which time the score was tied at 11-all. Swain epitomised the Victorian style of play, relying on sweet draws and inch-perfect deliveries. Gustafson, on the other hand, played the Western Australian game, mixing his well-judged draw shots with strong drives. He slowly gained the upper hand, to lead 24-12 at the 25th end. At that stage, however, he lost his length and Swain, who had persisted with the draw shot, tenaciously fought his way back into the game. He drew within two points of Gustafson before the West Australian rallied, threw a series of long ends, and upset the Victorian’s game.”
By ultimately defeating Swain 33-24, Gustafson not only became the first Western Australian to secure an Australian title, but also the first non-Victorian to do so. With seven state titles to his credit at the time, his win was no surprise to the locals.
During this carnival he also played skip in the undefeated Western Australia fours team that won a round robin competition against Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.
In private life this outstanding singles player was a schoolteacher with an impressive record of community service. On the green his angular figure exuded both confidence and aggressiveness, qualities which undoubtedly contributed to his success.
Active in and playing for Fremantle and in later life East Fremantle he played in top division pennants for many years and won many club titles, too numerous to mention.
In Singles alone at Fremantle Bowling Club he was Champion in 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1913, 1914, 1916, 1917, 1918, 1920, 1924, 1926, 1927, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941 and 1945.
He was awarded Life Membership of the Fremantle Bowling Club, the second person in the history of the club to be awarded this honour. Fremantle Bowling Club was founded in 1896 and is the second oldest club in Western Australia.
He was also a Committee Member, Australian Bowling Council, for the Centennial Carnival held in WA in 1929.
There is no doubt John Ernest Gustafson was a true champion and pioneer in the sport of bowls in this state.
Playing Achievements:
National: Australian Singles Championship 1924
Interstate Championship Fours 1924
State: State Singles Champion 1906-07
State Singles Champion 1923-24
State Singles Champion 1924-25
State Singles Champion 1932-33
State Pairs Champion 1921-22
State Pairs Champion 1923-24
State Pairs Champion 1931-32
State Fours Champion 1924-25
State Handicap Singles 1913
State Plate Singles 1946
