History
Curling has a lengthy history in New Zealand, especially in Otago. Check out the historical timeline of the club below!
1500s
Early Curling
The 1565 painting titled 'Winter Landscape with Ice-skaters and Bird-trap', attributed to painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, is likely the earliest depiction of curling. The painting shows Flemish peasants throwing curling stones across the ice.
Late 1800s
Woodhaugh Curlers
The Dunedin Curling Club was formed in 1873, with most games likely played in Woodhaugh, where the Woodhaugh Gardens exist today. The photo depicts curlers in Woodhaugh in 1889.
1939
Oturehura Bonspiel
Originally posted in the Auckland Weekly News, this photo depicts 'Curlers In Their Element ' at the 1939 Oturehua Bonspiel. The curling community in Naseby - where a rink exists today - and the community in Dunedin have always enjoyed playing together in bonspiels and other events.
Photo provided by: Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections AWNS-19390809-42-1
Late 1980s - 2000s
Club Revitalised
While curling thrived elsewhere in Otago, the Dunedin Curling Club unfortunately became somewhat defunct in the late 1970s. In the 1980s however, member Edwin Harley moved to Dunedin and revitalised the club, and in 2005, the club moved to the Dunedin Ice Stadium, giving us the club we know and love today!
Today
Curling galore!
As we are the oldest curling club still in operation in the country, we of course have a lot of events going on at the club. We boast a membership of around 40 people who curl each week, but we are always looking for more keen people to come and have a go!