Club in Profile – Exmouth

Exmouth – jewel of the north

Exmouth, situated on the picturesque North West Cape in Western Australia, is not only the gateway to the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Area, it is also home to some of the most amazing scenery and underwater wildlife WA has to offer. Nestled in the town of Exmouth is also a very welcoming bowling club, which plays host to many WA, interstate and overseas tourists each and every year.

For those looking for a getaway, but still close enough to home, the drive into Exmouth is wonderful. Off the main road you are greeted with the beautiful sights of Coral Bay, before making your way into Exmouth where the National Park and Marine Park are simply stunning.

The Exmouth Bowling Club boasts two sand-filled synthetic greens and provides the local community, as well as tourists alike, a wonderful opportunity to play our great sport all year round.

With particular attention to the winter period, which doesn’t really feel like winter in Exmouth, the club hosts social bowls events five days per week, as well as conducting carnival events in both July and August. The numbers certainly swell during this period as the southern part of the state shivers through cold temperatures, and people jump in their caravans and head for warmer weather.

Regional Bowls Manager Clive Adams visited the club recently.

“I was so impressed at the welcoming nature of the club. I visited on a Saturday afternoon and was immediately embraced into their social bowls activities. The rules were that we played until the sun went down, and it was great fun.

Bonus points were awarded for touchers – it was just wonderful to see a club embracing the fun side of our sport, and really enjoying themselves.”

“I was then able to stay on for Presentations of the club events held throughout the year.

It was just a wonderful celebration done in a very warm, friendly and informal style that suits the Club to the ground”.

Club President Warren Sargisson, the current Club Singles Champion, and recently part of Gascoyne Games winning team, is very proud of the club. “We pride ourselves on our welcoming nature. There’s so much to do and see in the area, and we love it when people stop in and see us – whether they are new to the sport, or they’ve been bowling for years, there’s so many people that look forward to spending time with us at the club.” The club has an active presence on Social Media where its Facebook page advertises its barefoot bowls programs, including some wonderful food offerings. Another offering is the annual Caravan Park Challenge where the local tourist parks in the area square off in a battle on the greens. With the club currently looking at options to refurbish or replace its synthetic greens with new surfaces, it is certainly looking towards the future. Certainly, if your future includes a trip to North West WA, put the Exmouth Bowling Club on your list for a visit – it won’t disappoint.

And in the words of Club Captain Neil Taylor, better known as “Hippie”, “make sure you shut the gate…we’ve gotta keep the emus out…they’re impossible to get out of here once they get in.” We guess every club has its challenges.

Warrior Wellbeing Article The Myth that Men don,t talk

One of the things that never ceases to amaze me in the job we do, is that given the right circumstances (a safe place) blokes will disclose their issues and tell their story. Every bloke that I have met has a story and/or issues and is willing to talk. Blokes do talk but we need to acknowledge the differences between how the genders go about this. There are also some other factors that need to be considered in how we go about talking with blokes. The differences are real and we need to recognise some of the communication disparities between blokes and ladies: • Blokes only talk one third as much as ladies in a day (approx. 7,000 to 21,000 words).

The majority of females think and speak in a narrative way whereas blokes prefer dot points. • Single word responses to questions like – yes, no, good, bad and grunting are considered responses by blokes. • Much of the additional talk that ladies do is around describing emotions and feelings.

Therefore, in comparison to blokes, they have a sort of ‘match fitness’ around the ability to discuss emotion that we as blokes lack. • In much the same way that the Inuit people have around 180 words to describe snow (because of its cultural and safety implications), the ladies in our life tend to operate with a larger word bank to deal with discussions around emotion and feelings. • Blokes find it uncomfortable to talk about their emotions. We have been conditioned not to and are hard wired differently, often focusing on problem solving, providing and protecting, rather than how we feel, let alone talking about it. To have a more productive outcome when having ‘that talk’, some other factors to consider include: • Choosing the right environment to communicate is essential. This is not when we are distressed and out of control, but when we have calmed down. Also, avoid being under the influence of alcohol (this can act as a ‘mood enhancer’ and alter our state of mind). • Timing is an important factor to consider. Agree on a designated time to talk, avoid times when you are preoccupied with other tasks, when there is a chance of being interrupted or when there are a lot of things happening. • Be prepared to listen. The most important part of talking is listening (I think this is an oxymoron!)

Having respect, connection and empathy with whom we are talking to will give us more of an opportunity to become an active listener. • Getting help with having ‘that talk’ with your bloke. Don’t be afraid to seek help in having a talk with your dad, husband, son or mate i.e., use an independent person, your GP or a counsellor.

Considering the above factors and ‘giving permission’ to blokes that it’s okay to talk about things that cause us discomfort or pain may assist with blokes opening up more. Sometimes this does take time. From little things big things grow (just like this year’s crop), blokes do talk, so sow the seed towards a meaningful conversation. It is a myth ‘that men don’t talk’ they will, just not always in the way we expect. – Owen and the Team

The Regional Men’s Health Initiative – delivered by Wheatbelt Men’s Health (Inc.) PO Box 768, Northam WA 6401 • Phone: 08 9690 2277 Email: menshealth@4blokes.com.au • www.regionalmenshealth.com.au

National Carnival to be held in Mandurah

The Bowls Past President’s Association has been going since 1974 with the first President of the Association being Ken Edwards from West Australia.

It was designed for Past Presidents of bowling clubs to get together for fellowship and a social game of bowls, usually monthly, against like minded clubs like the…Police, Fire and Emergency Services, RSL, Master Builders and other interested bowling clubs.

In recognition of the changing nature of Club organisations, WA took the decision to widen the membership qualifications to include other members of Bowling Club executives i.e Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer who must have served at least one year in that position, as well as Presidents.

We are looking for new members who qualify under the new category.

If you are interested in membership our Secretary Stan McFarlane can be contacted on 0458 454 996 or email stanleymcfarlane02@gmail.com for details.

Membership is open to any gender. Every two years a National carnival is held by the Past Presidents to compete against all the other States. Next year from the 4th May until the 10th May 2022 the National Carnival will be held in Western Australia, in the Mandurah region. Plans are well under way, and we would be hoping for a strong WA contingent. To be able to play in this event you must be a financial member of the Past Presidents. 24th National Friendship Carnival Mandurah WA 2022 – Wednesday 4th May – Tuesday 10th May The Bowls Past Presidents’ Association of Western Australia invites Members of the Bowls Past Presidents’ Association of Australia to the 24th National Friendship Carnival of Bowls to be held in Mandurah, WA during May 2022. President: Derek Janes – 0415 863 308 or derekj@westnet.com.au Secretary: Stan McFarlane – 0458 454 996 or stanleymcfarlane02@gmail.com