The Bonnie Doon Football Netball Club, affectionately known as the Bombers, traces its proud beginnings back to 1885, when local teams first gathered to play in Mansfield. That year, Bonnie Doon played its first recorded football match against Mansfield. A spirited game that commenced at 4pm after a mix-up among the Mansfield players. The match ended fittingly in a draw, setting the tone for the competitive and community spirit that would define the club.

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By 1891, Bonnie Doon Football Club formally established itself with J. Wolf as President. The team proudly wore blue jerseys with red stockings and played for the Mansfield Cup against Mt Battery and Tolmie. After a few seasons, Bonnie Doon merged with Maindample in 1898, forming the Combined Rovers — a union that reflected the region’s strong spirit of collaboration.

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The club's first major footballing success came in 1901, claiming the premiership in the newly formed Mansfield District Football Association. Over the following decades, Bonnie Doon became a familiar name across various leagues and competitions. Their passionate supporters and memorable on-field moments adding colour to the town’s sporting folklore.​ In the early years, local matches were often lively affairs, sometimes involving enthusiastic crowd participation, runaway buggies, and even the occasional intervention by the local constabulary to restore order on the field. These stories remain treasured parts of the club’s colourful history.​

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Throughout the 1920s to 1950s, Bonnie Doon joined numerous competitions, including the Mansfield/Swanpool District Football Association, Euroa District Football Association, Upper Goulburn Football League, and the Maroondah Highway Football League. With each change, the club remained a vital part of its community, providing sporting opportunities and a sense of belonging.

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The 1950s and 1960s were particularly successful on the field. Bonnie Doon featured strongly in the Waranga North East Football League, winning premierships in 1956, 1958, 1959, and 1962, with club legends like William Lockhart leading the way.

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In 1965, Bonnie Doon joined the Benalla & District Football League, where it built a strong presence over more than four decades. Highlights included thrilling grand finals, hard-fought rivalries, and memorable seasons. The club also embraced its junior teams, ensuring the next generation of Bombers carried the legacy forward.

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The fun-loving culture of the club shone through moments like the 1984 Old Boys vs. 1994 Reserves match, where past players laced up their boots for a light-hearted yet fiercely contested game, complete with disputed marks, cheeky banter, and the usual antics that make country footy special.

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Netball officially became part of the club in 1993, when the Benalla & District Football League introduced a netball competition. Led by passionate volunteers like Lesley Howes and Kerry Taranto, the netball club grew rapidly, fielding competitive teams and achieving notable successes, including their first B Grade premiership in 1999.​ When the Benalla & District Football League folded in 2009, Bonnie Doon transitioned into the Ovens & King Football Netball League (O&KFNL) in 2010, continuing its tradition of fierce competition and strong community spirit.

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In 2017, the Bonnie Doon Football Netball Club marked a new chapter in its proud history with a breakthrough moment, the Under 17s netball team claimed the club’s first premiership in the O&KFNL. Coached by Michelle Tanner, the young Bombers displayed determination, skill, and a fierce team spirit, setting the tone for the club’s future in the new competition. That premiership wasn’t just a milestone for the players, it marked the beginning of an incredible coaching journey for Michelle. Building on that early success, she went on to guide another Under 17s team to victory, cementing her reputation as a leader and mentor within the club.

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Since stepping into the role of head netball coach, Michelle has steered every senior netball team to premiership success. A remarkable achievement. Under her guidance, B Reserve won back to back premierships with Michelle playing as GS in 2022 and 2023, followed by a triumphant B Grade flag in 2023, and then the pinnacle, A Grade premiership in 2024 first every premiership win in Bombers history. Michelle’s leadership has been a driving force behind a golden era for Bonnie Doon Netball, inspiring players across all grades and strengthening the club’s reputation as a powerhouse in the O&KFNL. 

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Over its 140-year history, the Bonnie Doon Football Netball Club has remained more than just a sporting club, it is a community, a family, and a proud custodian of local tradition. From spirited matches in dusty paddocks to modern day premiership glory, the Bombers story is woven with tales of friendship, rivalry, and unwavering local support.

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With generations of players, coaches, volunteers, and supporters behind it, the Bonnie Doon Football Netball Club continues to inspire new chapters in its remarkable history, proudly wearing the red and black, united by a shared love of sport and community.