Joan Brotherton OAM on why we need to keep scoreboards updated
CHANGES AFOOT FOR THE QLD BOWLER MAGAZINE
Queensland
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The Albert BC turns 75
Alan Thorp provides advice on the delivery in lawn bowls
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TASSIE TO HOST THE 2025 BA NATIONALS
Devonport and Burnie, Tasmania have been confirmed as the host of bowls’ showpiece ‘state versus state/territory’ national event in 2025.
With the support of the Tasmanian Government, via funding from Events Tasmania, the State has secured the two-week long festival of bowls known as The Nationals, which incorporates six of the sport’s most revered competitions and no less than 31 national titles.
The 2025 edition of The Nationals will be staged from November 12 to 27, with Devonport Country Club set to host five of the six events, alongside Burnie Bowls Club, which will stage the Australian Para Nationals.
Featuring a variety of events encompassing all ages and abilities, the Nationals spans junior, open-age, senior, para and open events, with more than 650 competitors across 15 days of competition.
Bowls Australia CEO Matthew Kennedy said the sport was excited about staging the Nationals, which attracts the country’s best bowlers, in Devonport and Burnie.
The 2025 Nationals will encompass the Australian Champion of Champions, Australian Under-18 Championships, Para Nationals, Australian Senior Sides Championships, Australian Sides Championships and the Australian Championships events, held from November 12-27.
By Aidan Davis,
Bowls Australia
CEO & PRESIDENT REPORT
with BQ’s Brett Wilkie & Brian Marshall
BQ Council Meeting
BQ Board, District Delegates and Committee Coordinators attended Bowls Queensland’s annual September Council Meeting.
The 2025 budget was approved, and some good discussion took place including:
The Queensland Bowler Magazine
Due to rising costs, BQ will cease the printing of hard copies and delivery to clubs from January 2025 onwards. December 2024 will be the last printed version of this magazine.
From January 2025 onwards, the QLD Bowler Magazine will be distributed online via email, placed on the BQ website and promoted on social media. This will be available to download and print if anyone would like to do so at their own cost.
From January 2025, BQ will be communicating more regularly via email and website regarding news and events etc.
You can sign up here to receive the QLD Bowler Magazine and other communications electronically.
BQ Registered Member Cards
Due to the changeover to BowlsLink, all members will receive a National Identification Number (NIN) and the current BQ number system will become obsolete.
It has been decided to cease the printing of the physical BQ Membership Card from 2025.
BQ Constitution Review
BQ have appointed a consultant to assist with a review of the Constitution.
Zone Review
BQ is completing a Zone Boundary review.
Policies
BQ is currently reviewing a number of our policies. Bowls Australia adopted the National Integrity Framework from Sport Integrity Australia effective from 1st January 2024.
The Framework is a set of rules that all members of our sport need to follow when it comes to their behaviour and conduct in bowls. There are five core policies which make up the National Integrity Framework. These are:
• Member Protection Policy
• Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
• Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy
• Competition, Manipulation and Sport Gaming Policy
• Improper Use of Drugs and Medicine Policy
The Bowls Australia National Integrity Framework applies to all activities organised or authorised by Bowls Australia or a Member Organisation and will be adopted in full by each bowls organisation.
These policies were adopted by the Board of Bowls Queensland and replace the following, wholly or in part:
• BQ Member Protection Policy
• BQ Blue Card Policy
• Incident Reporting
• BQ Grievance Procedure
These BQ Policies are currently under review. More information will be sent to districts and clubs.
BowlsLink
The changeover to this system is progressing well with training for BQ staff, the match committee,
Proudly sponsored by
CSMs and board members. Training for districts and clubs was held in late September and early October.
There will also be a BowlsLink training session at Club Pine Rivers during the BPL in November 12-14. Further available training will be provided to clubs and districts.
Club administrators will be provided access to BowlsLink from October 1. Online user guides can also be found at the BowlsLearn page on the BA Website:
https://learn.bowls.com.au/course-catalog/
BQ used BowlsLink for the first time during the QLD vs VIC Test Series, which went well, including live scoring of the games.
QLD vs VIC Test Series
Well done to our QLD Women and Men who defeated VIC 3-0.
Congratulations to Bolivia Millerick who played her 100th game for QLD and Barrie Lester who notched up 400 games across VIC/QLD. Thank you to Club Tweed for hosting and sponsoring this series.
Schools Sport Australia Bowls Championships
Thank you to QLD Representative School Sport who endorsed BQ to enter a team in this event in Geelong during September.
This was the first time this event has been held and was a great success. Plans are already taking shape for next year’s event.
Try Bowls Month – October
Well done to all clubs that have organised some form of Try Bowls day during October. Bowls Queensland will be promoting this on social media statewide through sponsored posts/videos.
QLD Representative Teams
Good luck to our QLD representative teams competing at “The Nationals” at Club Tweed and Broadbeach during October:
• Australian Under 18 Championships – Club Tweed, 9 & 10 October.
• Para Nationals Championships (Physically Impaired) – Broadbeach, 9-12 October.
• Australian Senior Sides Championships (Over 60s) – Club Tweed, 12-15 October.
• Australian Sides Championships – Club Tweed, 17-20 October (Pre Test versus NT on 16th).
Also, good luck to those Queenslanders who have won their way through to the following:
• National Champion of Champion Singles at Club Tweed from 8-10 October.
• Australian Championships (singles, pairs, mixed pairs, triples and fours) at Broadbeach from 21-25 October.
QLD Champion of Club Champions
26-31 October
Well done to all Zone winners who have made it through to the finals of Singles, Pairs and Fours of this event to be held at Bargara Bowls Club in the Bundaberg District.
Thank you to Bundaberg Regional Council, Bargara Bowls Club, Sandhills Sports Club, Ross Gray Motor City and Bioscapes Group for their support of this event.
State Pennant Finals
2 & 3 November
Thank you to the Tweed Shire Council and Club Tweed for their support of this event to be held at Club Tweed.
2025 Junior State Championships
12-18 January 2025
This event will be held at Club Helensvale and Club Robina.
2025
District
Sides and State Championships
May 2025
These events will be held on the Sunshine Coast next year, thank you to the Sunshine Coast Council who have confirmed they will sponsor the 2025 District Sides (7-10 May) and State Championships (12-25 May).
QLD vs Vic TEST SERIES
September 14 & 15, 2024
Queensland claimed the QLD vs VIC Test Series title after the women’s and men’s teams defeated Victoria 3-0 in their respective tests held at Club Tweed. Thank you to Victoria for a hard fought series, which was a great lead up to the Australian Sides Championships for both States.
Each side comprised three teams each of four players, with male and female competitions conducted as separate events. Each team played 21 ends (63 ends side total).
Congratulations to Queensland’s newest Open State Representatives who made their debut at this Test Series: Aaron Hewson, Janet Healey and Brendan Wilson. All have represented QLD before in various age groups, but this was their debut in the open team.
Well done to Kelsey Cottrell and Kane Nelson for being awarded players of the series.
QLD Women’s Team: Back L-R: Julie Keegan, Emma Spicer, Chloe Stewart, Wendy Wilson, Pam Rowe & Kelsey Cottrell.
BQ President Brian Marshall presents Aaron Hewson, Janet Healey and Brendan Wilson with their “Open Team” caps before their debut as State Open Representatives
Congratulations to Bolivia Millerick for playing her 100th game for Queensland on 14 September. BQ President Brian Marshall presented Bolivia with her commemorative 100 pin. Barrie Lester notched up 400 State games across the two States competing –Victoria (370) and Queensland (30).
BQ President Brian Marshall said the skill and sporting fair-play of the players made this a memorable series.
“We thank the board, members and staff of Club Tweed for their effort and wonderful support for this event,” he said.
QLD Men’s Team: Back L-R: Aron Sherriff, Nathan Rice, Dale McWhinney-Shillington, Sean Baker, Aaron Hewson, Jamie Anderson & Brendan Wilson. Front: Sean Ingham, Nic Gosley, Brett Wilkie, Barrie Lester & Kane Nelson
BQ President Brian Marshall presents Bolivia Millerick with her commemorative 100 pin
Aron Sherriff and Nathan Rice chair Barrie Lester off after playing 400 State games (VIC 370 & QLD 30)
Players of the Series: Kelsey Cottrell and Kane Nelson
Club Tweed Chair Leigh Tynan congratulated all players on being selected to represent their State.
“We also look forward to seeing the players back at Club Tweed in October for the Australian Sides Championships,” he said.
“Our members are proud of our great club which prides itself on the capacity to run and cater for such major events. The keys to our success are the quality of our staff and the dedication of our many volunteers.”
Thank you to Club Tweed staff, volunteers, greenkeepers and the club for sponsoring this event. Thank you to Bowls Gold Coast Tweed Media Team for live streaming and to QLD Team Coach/ Managers Bill Cornehls and Christina Pavlov.
Queensland Teams
Open Men:
• Aaron Hewson, Barrie Lester, Nathan Rice, Aron Sherriff sk
RESULTS
• Dale McWhinney-Shillington, Nic Gosley, Sean Ingham, Sean Baker sk
• Brendan Wilson, Jamie Anderson, Brett Wilkie, Kane Nelson sk
Open Women:
• Candice Ayton, Pamela Rowe, Bolivia Millerick, Kelsey Cottrell sk
• Yvonne Lovelock, Janet Healey, Julie Keegan, Lynsey Clarke sk
• Amanda Haevecker, Emma Spicer, Wendy Wilson, Chloe Stewart sk
Brett Mahoney (VIC) and Nathan Rice (QLD)
Lynsey Clarke (QLD) and Lisa Phillips (VIC)
You can apply for FairPlay Vouchers from the Queensland Government if you’re a Queensland resident. When a round is open (and it’s open now), parents, carers or guardians can apply for a voucher valued up to $200 for their child, which can be used towards sport and active recreation membership, registration or participation fees with a registered activity provider. There is a limit of one voucher per child per financial year.
See the website below for more information: https://www.qld.gov.au/recreation/sports/funding/fairplay/apply
16th March 2025 | 17 Days
Highlights between Delhi & the Himalayas Through the states of Delhi - Haryana & PunjabHimachal Pradesh - Jammu & Kashmir - Ladakh
NATIONAL SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPs
Lawn bowls now has a recognised national high school competition called the National Schools Championships. This inaugural event was played at the City of Geelong Bowling Club from 18-20 September, where Queensland’s Under-18 team finished third overall and received a team bronze medal.
Across three days, five states took to the green in the first tournament of its kind, held jointly with School Sport Australia.
Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia all competed, with 10 matches live streamed on Bowls Australia’s YouTube channel.
The respective teams also participated in a coaching clinic on the afternoon prior to competition, held by Australian Pathways Coaches, Right at Home Emerging Jackaroos and former Australian representatives.
Following the conclusion of the finals on Friday, an All Australian team was picked as the event’s best players and Riley Gerick and Trent Brehmer made the team.
Both the girls’ team and boys’ team were in an open draw and playoffs were dependant on the finishing position in all disciplines.
Back L-R: Rhys Gillman, Riley Gerick, Todd Brain & Trent Brehmer. Front L-R: Thomas Brehmer, Ashlin Johnson, Tilah Mason, Lacey Gerick, Makayla Gainsford & Phoebie Russell
Trent Brehmer & Riley Gerick were selected for the Australian School Team
On Wednesday, 18 September, in very trying cold and windy conditions, the Queensland team battled the conditions, never giving up throughout the day and were on top of the overall leader board on Day 1. By Day 3, the final matches resulted in the following:
Singles
• Riley Gerick played off for Gold and won 21 to 14
• Tilah Mason played for 7th & 8th position won 21 to 11
Pairs
• Rhys Gillman & Riley Gerick played for Gold but went down 11 to 19 to claim silver
• Lacey Gerick & Tilah Mason played for 7th & 8th position and won 17 to 10
Triples
• Thomas Brehmer, Todd Brain, Trent Brehmer played for Gold and went down 13 to 15 to claim silver
• Makayla Gainsford, Ashlin Johnson, Phoebie Russell played for 5th & 6th and won 13 to 11
Fours
• 5th & 6th Thomas Brehmer, Rhys Gillman, Todd Brain, Trent Brehmer played our girls’ team Makayla Gainsford, Ashlin Johnson, Lacey Gerick and Phoebie Russell where the boys team won.
Congratulations to Phoebie Russell on receiving the Queensland sportsmanship award.
Singles gold medal winner Riley Gerick
Pairs silver medal winners Riley Gerick & Rhys Gillman
Triples silver medal winners Todd Brain, Trent Brehmer & Thomas Brehmer
Queensland’s Under-18s at the National Schools Championships
The team performance was good, and the under-18s are now working towards The Nationals at Tweed Heads held in early October.
Well done to all on their performance and for representing Queensland well.
Thank you to QLD Representative School Sport for endorsing Bowls QLD to coordinate a team for this event, and to School Sport Australia for creating and running this inaugural event.
Thank you to our Coaches/Managers Bill Cornehls, Chrissy Pavlov and Thomas Blaszczyk.
CHAMPION OF CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
Queensland’s Champion of Club Champions will be held 26-31 October at Bargara Bowls Club. Well done to all Zone winners who have made it through to the finals of Women’s and Men’s Singles, Pairs and Fours.
Each day will be live streamed on BQ YouTube and Facebook. Thank you to Bundaberg Regional Council, Bargara Bowls Club, Sandhills Sports Club, Ross Gray Motor City and BioScapes Group for their support of this event. For more information regarding those who have qualified, schedule, program and results, scan the QR code.
Phoebie Russell received the Qld Sportsmanship award
U18 Boys L-R: Rhys Gillman, Riley Gerick, Trent Brehmer, Todd Brain & Thomas Brehmer (kneeling)
U18 Girls L-R: Makayla Gainsford, Tilah Mason, Lacey Gerick, Ashlin Johnson & Phoebie Russell
Future-proofing your life: A quick guide to estate planning
Taking some time now to make an estate plan could potentially save you and your loved ones a whole lot of time, money and angst down the track.
Typical estate planning documents include a Will, Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and Advanced Heath Directive (AHD). These documents are the best way to reduce potential disputes amongst family members and ensure your wishes are carried out – both when you have lost capacity and after you have passed away.
Here’s our quick guide to the key estate planning documents and what to consider when drafting them.
Wills
A Will provides your executor(s) with your binding wishes as to how to dispose of your estate. Some things to think about are:
• Who you wish to appoint as executor (a trusted family member or friend);
• What specific gifts you would like to make;
• If you have minor children, who you wish to act as a guardian;
• If you have pets, who you wish to care for them;
• Who are your natural beneficiaries and what proportion of your estate will you leave them;
• Funeral wishes including providing directions about cremation or burial.
Keep your Will updated if you have a significant life event like getting married or divorced or have children.
If you die without a Will you are said to die ‘intestate’ and the legislation will determine how your estate is distributed. This may not be in line with your wishes.
To be on the safe side, get some legal advice when making your will. It could cost you (or your estate) a lot less in the long run.
EPA
An EPA allows you to appoint one or more attorneys to make decisions for you about personal matters (including health matters) and/or financial matters.
Choose your attorney(s) carefully. Once appointed an attorney has the
power to step into your shoes and, with a few exceptions, make all the same decisions you can under the law and the power continues after you lose capacity.
An attorney for personal matters, including health matters, can only make decisions for you when you no longer have capacity to make those decisions yourself. You can specify when an attorney for financial matters can start to make decisions for you.
AHD
An AHD allows you to give directions to an attorney about your future health care when you no longer have capacity to make those decisions. The AHD is the best way to inform your attorney and medical practitioners about your wishes.
Should you have any queries or require any further information in relation to creating a Will, EPA or AHD or to get the ball rolling, please contact me, Matthew Bradford on 07 3224 0353.
with Joan Brotherton OAM
Keeping the master score board up-to-date
September has been a very busy month with various events at club, district and group level being completed as well as the Queensland vs Victoria Test Series. I am sure you are all looking forward to the State Play-offs beginning with the Champion of Club Champions at Bargara on the 26-31 October.
Also, this month the various Australian National events will be held at Club Tweed and Broadbeach, and we wish all members playing the very best. I recommend that if you have the opportunity, please visit the Gold Coast to watch and support all players. It has also been a busy period for all umpires, measurers and markers
and I thank you all. I hope it has been an enjoyable time for you.
I have received a few calls regarding various situations and problems regarding particular laws and one of these is Law 26.3 on page 37 of the latest Law Book. It was introduced in the April 2023 Law Book and revised in the May 2023 Law Book.
26.3 There must be no further play in a knockout competition if at any point it becomes impossible for a player, team, or side to win the game, given the number of ends left.
The main issue, problems and queries occurring have been when playing the Pennant Preliminary Finals and Finals. The weekly rounds are played to the end, as the full scores are needed for result sheets showing the following totals: for, against, points and margins. At the end of the rounds, the club teams with the highest scores qualify for the Final Play-offs which are knockouts.
That is why it is important that the master scoreboard is kept up-to-date, as this allows players to check the scoreboard at each end and be aware of the number of shots either ahead or behind. As it gets to the end of the game, and usually the last end, that is when it is decided whether it becomes impossible for a side to win given the number of ends left. For example, two separate games I know of were played in the finals and the decision was made on the last end as the scores overall were as follows:
• Scenario 1: Two teams of four – one finished, one to be completed. Scoreboard showed on 41 ends – 48-27
• Scenario 2: Three teams of four – two finished, one to be completed. Scoreboard showed on 62 ends – 70-44
Therefore, as you see from the above, in Scenario 1, they needed 21 shots and the players in Scenario 2 needed 26 shots. Considering there were only eight bowls to be played in each scenario, the game finished one end short as per Law 26.3.
See photos of each master scoreboard on this page for your information
I hope the above explains the situation regarding Law 26.3. However, if there are any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to contact your District Umpire Committee or BQ Umpire Committee who will be able to assist you.
Umpire
Scenario 1: Two teams of four – score was 48 – 27 on 41 ends, a difference of 21 with only 8 bowls to come.
Scenario 2: Three teams of four – score was 70 – 44 on 62 ends a difference of 26 with only 8 bowls to come.
BA STATEMENT ON ANNOUNCEMENTS ON GLASGOW 2026 COMM GAMES
Bowls Australia (BA) welcomes the news that the Commonwealth Games is set to be able to be staged in Glasgow in 2026 and congratulates all parties involved in making this happen.
As a non-Olympic/Paralympic sport, the Commonwealth Games is Bowls’ pinnacle and only multi-sport competition.
All of the sport’s stakeholders in this country, particularly the Right at Home Australian Jackaroos and Bowls Australia’s High Performance team, eagerly await further announcements on which sports will be included in the 2026 program.
BA’s primary considerations at this time are for the sport’s elite athletes who, on the back of some amazing results at last year’s World Bowls Championships, have prepared tirelessly for the next Commonwealth Games without any certainty around its location or timing.
In addition to this deep concern for, and support to, the Right at Home Jackaroos, BA is also acutely conscious of the importance of Bowls being on the Commonwealth Games stage to the nearly 1,800 local clubs, and their over 470,000 individual members and millions of annual visitors, around the nation.
As one of its member nations, Bowls Australia has long been in close and regular liaison with World Bowls in regard to its discussions with the Commonwealth Games Federation for 2026, and in championing all of the following:
Bowls, as one of just six founding member sports of the Commonwealth Games, has played a pivotal role in shaping and showcasing the Commonwealth Games movement over the last 94 years.
Bowls epitomises inclusivity and equality in sport, leading the way with combined open and para competitions, with gender equity, and Commonwealth Games medalists across a wide spectrum of ages.
Bowls being a Commonwealth Games only sport with new, exciting format and delivery options, including outdoors or indoors and on temporary surfaces if required.
Bowls being heavily participated in by bigger and smaller Commonwealth nations alike.
Bowls being a storied part of Australia’s, and Scotland’s, rich Commonwealth Games histories.
As one of its member sports, BA has also made due representation to Commonwealth Games Australia in these respects.
For these reasons, BA is hopeful of a justified inclusion of Bowls in the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games and will continue to do whatever possible and necessary behind the scenes, in support to World Bowls, to see that become a reality.
Statement issued by Matt Burgess, BA President and Matthew Kennedy, BA CEO
AN EXCITING CHANGE FOR THE QUEENSLAND BOWLER!
We are very excited to announce that we are changing the format of the Queensland Bowler magazine from next year (2025).
After months of consultation with readers, members and contributors, we will be moving ahead with an online magazine.
From next year, the Queensland Bowler will be published on the Bowls Queensland website, with links from Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
You will now be able to read our news sooner, plus get your event and club news delivered “hot off the online press” directly to your email inbox!
You’ll be able to watch our live streams and read the articles that interest you. All just a simple click away.
Don’t miss out! Tell your friends and let your fellow bowlers know that they can get bowls news delivered straight to them.
Sign up now at www.bowlsqld.org/newsletter or use the QR code below:
REGISTER YOUR CLUB WITH BQ NOW!
We’ll
some tips for try bowls day
Clubs have found the most successful Try Bowls days were ones which provided visitors with enticing incentives (i.e a free sausage sizzle or prizes) and a relaxing atmosphere.
What to do on the day
When organising your club’s Try Bowls day, remember that many of the people attending have never played bowls or have only ever played barefoot bowls, so it is a good idea not to be too formal when it comes to the game itself. Create a relaxed and fun atmosphere as this will bring people back to the club in the future.
Most people who attend will not be interested in becoming a full member straight away. The club’s Try Bowls day should focus on getting people through the door and making them want to revisit the club. You can convert them to social members and eventually full club members at a later date. If people express an interest to sign-up on the spot then great!
Most people, however, will not want to commit to anything on the day, so organisers should not be trying to actively recruit members, as people may be scared off by people trying to sign them up on the spot.
As club organisers become disheartened when people say no to signing up and visitors feel pressured into committing to a membership, we suggest having a sign-up sheet available for people to provide their details if they are interested. This means that no one feels obligated to do something they do not want to do and they can just enjoy their time at your club.
ENTERTAINMENT
We suggest having music playing at the venue, this helps create a better atmosphere which in turn can potentially result in better takings at the bar (which could possibly cover the cost of the day!). It’s important to make sure you play music which suits your visitors’ demographic. Make sure you look into any licensing requirements before playing music. Consider activities for children and tasty food and drinks suitable for your audience.
Keep any coaching informal, as you don’t want to be instructing them constantly. Just show them the basic techniques to make sure participants are not dumping the bowls on the green, then just let them enjoy the game and be on hand to offer tips and advice if needed.
To keep things interesting once they have got a grip of the basics, you could invite them to play in a small social competition with a small entry fee (between $1 to $5). The money could then be used as prize money in a condensed competitive game over five ends.
You may want to have a different format, but short games would work best for non-bowlers as they may not want to play a three-hour long game. A short and sweet game would give visitors a taste of competitive bowls and help make the day even more memorable.
Do you want to host a Try Bowls Day at your club? BQ promotes October as a Try Bowls month, but you can choose to hold your day at any time. Let us know so we can include your day on our website and help your promote your event.
You can arrange for a personalised promotional pack for your club with flyers, posters and box drop leaflets or find out more information by contacting Bowls Queensland at (07) 3354 0777 or emailing us at admin@bowlsqld.org
Development with David Barnes
It’s time to start preparing for the holiday season!
With the holiday period just around the corner, it’s time to start preparing and making sure we are ready to go full steam ahead into the holiday period.
Several items can be checked now to ensure they are in order and, if not, that there will be a suitable person available to service any equipment needing attention. It’s also a good time to check whether callout lists are up-to-date to ensure a prompt response if required and remove people who no longer hold keys, and cannot assist, from the list.
Some items we can look at now include:
• Kitchen deep clean to reduce the holiday workload
• Staffing and holidays to see who is available to cover the holiday rosters
• Opening hours - days will you be open and what hours
• Greens - Will the greens be open so you can plan for parties, barefoot bowls and other events? Does the greenkeeper know?
• Repairs and maintenance - Are there any repairs and maintenance jobs you’ve been putting off?
• Cleaning - Will there be any cleaning that needs to be done outside of the normal hours?
• Deliveries - Will there be extra deliveries and who will be there to accept them and put them away?
• Alarm callouts -Is there a roster for the holiday period to share the load?
• Additional equipment - Do you need to order any extra glasses/plates/cutlery for the busy period?
• Marketing and promotions - How can you let people know you are OPEN for business and what you have to offer? Consider Facebook, Instagram, updating your website, local “What’s On” websites, and community noticeboards.
There may be other items that are on your list, but the main takeaway from here is to start planning now and not leave it until the last minute.
I mentioned earlier about how to let people know when you are open during the holiday period and what you have to offer. I did a quick Google search and found these three club websites which provided some great detail as to what I can enjoy at the clubs during this period:
It’s the old story of the ‘5Ps’, Prior Planning Promotes Positive Performance, so the planning we are doing today will make life a lot easier when the holiday season arrives.
items for sale at babinda bowls club
EUROWASH COMMERCIAL GLASS WASHER (ABOVE LEFT)
For more info, please contact Ron at: (07) 4067 2092 or babindabowls@gmail. com
Purchased from National Kitchen Equipment P/L for $3,200. Unfortunately will not fit below the bar benchtop. Sale Price $2,500 ono.
2 x SANDPIPER SUPER SOPPERS (ABOVE RIGHT)
With 60 cm wide roller and a 48L tank. Good condition & worked well. Purchased for $2,800 each. Now surplus to needs having a new carpet with excellent drainage. Sale Price: $700 each ono.
NORTH MACKAY WINS PRATT CUP
The Pratt Cup is one of the most prestigious bowls events in the Mackay district and has been running for 98 years. All clubs in the district are eligible to enter teams.
This year, it was played at several local clubs with teams of seven; the format is singles, pairs and fours. The North Mackay Bowls Club team consisted of Terry Clark playing singles, brothers Wayne (skip) and Shane Trannore (lead) playing pairs, and the fours players were Peter Miller lead, Tony Allsop second, Steve Lane third and Dave McKendry skip. The competition was played 14-15 September, with two games played each day.
The final between Souths Suburban and North Mackay was held at Souths club on their immaculate grass greens. It was televised via the MMDBA link and attracted many viewers. Spectators included members of both Souths and North Mackay clubs.
It was a close final, with Terry Clark winning the singles first. The fours teams had a very close game, and it went right down to the last end, with North Mackay getting up. At this stage, the pairs game was abandoned as North Mackay had won two of the three games. North Mackay last won the cup in 1979, and the club has gone forward in the last few years, increasing the membership and fielding a first division Pennants team.
Contributed by Tony Allsop
L-R: Wayne Trannore, Terry Clark, Dave McKendry, Peter Miller, Shane Trannore, Tony Allsop & Steve Lane
WYNNUM TURNS100!
Wynnum Bowls Club turned 100 on August 21, 2024 and enjoyed a month of celebration, culminating in the Wynnum Centenary Fours Bowls Tournament on September 21-22.
Celebrations began on Saturday, August 24 with a 100th anniversary three-course dinner and live
entertainment for members and guests.
Dignitaries Joan Pease, MP for Lytton; Alex Givney, Councillor for Wynnum Manly with her husband Ben; Graham Lewis, Bowls Queensland Director of Finance; and Jack Oliver, Gateway District Bowls Association and his wife Gail attended the event.
BQ Director Graham Lewis presented a Centenary Plaque from Bowls Australia to two of the club’s life members, Robert Muir and Elaine Carroll.
The next day, Sunday, August 25, the club held a 100th Anniversary Family Fun Day with face painting, music by Scott Sinclair, free barefoot bowls, food, raffles and “wear yellow to support daffodil day”.
More than 100 members of the community enjoyed the event. While the club is still going strong after 100 years, it had humble beginnings. In August 1924, 17 locals attended a public meeting and decided to form a bowls club for Wynnum, electing 10 men as foundation members.
After selecting a suitable site, construction of the actual green was commenced but it did not go as well as expected.
L-R: Allen Taylor Wynnum Senior Vice President, BQ’s Graham Lewis, Phil Herbohn Wynnum Treasurer, Jack Oliver Gateway District President & Simon Parker Wynnum President
It wasn’t until April 10, 1926 that play was permitted on the newly laid green and the club’s first pavilion opened.
The club continued to grow, and in 1983, a new green was completed, providing two full size greens and one small green of three rinks.
Lights were erected on both full size greens in 2004 in order to facilitate night play and have recently
been upgraded. In 2023, solar panels were refurbished to reduce power costs.
The men’s and ladies bowls clubs were amalgamated at a Special General Meeting held on May 23, 2021 and as a result, is now a single entity: Wynnum Bowls Club Inc.
The club has been extremely fortunate to obtain a grant to replace most of the furniture in the clubhouse.
It is a significant milestone that this bowls club has been a part of the Wynnum community and its history for the last 100 years.
Hopefully, with the club’s sense of fair play and good sportsmanship, we will still be here in another 100 years.
Contributed by Dennis Roach
Wynnum Bowls Club’s official opening day in April, 1926
Vintage photo of Wynnum bowlers playing in whites
L-R: President Simon Parker, Joan Pease Member for Lytton & Allen Taylor, Senior Vice President
BQ’s Graham Lewis presented a centenary plaque from Bowls Australia to life members Robert Muir & Elaine Carroll
MEANDARRA’s open FOURS carnival
The Meandarra Bowls Club proudly held the much-anticipated Open Fours Carnival on the weekend of September, 7-8. Now in its fifth year since its relaunch in 2019, the event attracted a full cohort of 64 players, with some travelling more than 500 km from as far as Cunnamulla and Buderim, along with many teams from the Condamine District. Team nominations were filled within 24 hours of opening, with a waiting list for any last-minute vacancies.
Festivities kicked off on Friday night with a winner-takes-all quickfire pairs competition for early arrivals. This event
Back L-R: Michelle Jordan, Kalvin Daye, Jake Fehlberg, Keith Haylett, Cody Fehlberg, Bob Proctor, Ross Jensen, Barry Roberts, Bob Denham, Scott Kinnear. Middle L-R: Wayne McDonald, Saul Calikes, Bec O’Rourke, Mark Jensen, Dennis Johns, Shane Krause, Rebecca Faulks. Front L-R: Jenny Skinner, QBBA President Helen Boardman, Shane Harwood & Sasha, Fred Tarry & Ripley, Vanessa Hinton.
established a great tone for the carnival, allowing newer club players and community members who were unable to participate over the weekend to test their skills against experienced competitors. At the same time, it offered veteran bowlers a valuable opportunity to reconnect with old friends and teammates. With a prize pool of $5,000 at stake, the weekend was filled with fierce competition, ultimately leading to a local Tara team claiming the grand prize. The race for the remaining spots was thrilling, with second to fifth places being decided in the final round.
For the first time, the event was live streamed, reaching an impressive global audience of 70,000 viewers over the weekend. The Gold Coast Tweed Media team did a marvellous job commentating and providing humorous banter throughout the rounds.
The carnival attracted a daily average of 100 players, family members and enthusiastic local spectators. The carnival’s success would not have been possible without the efforts of over 20 dedicated volunteers who managed everything from green preparation, sourcing sponsors, to catering and bar work, ensuring the weekend ran smoothly.
Club President Scott Attwooll thanked all the sponsors and players for making the weekend such a success. “The big thanks has to go to our amazing members who contribute their time week in week out to keep this great little club running,” he said. “From the greenkeepers to the bar and kitchen staff, all worked tirelessly to ensure the players were fed and kept well hydrated and, most importantly, bowled on a competitive green, thank you.”
Contributed by Greg Doyle
Winning team Tara L-R: Joshua Smith, Joel Smith, Garry Schulz, Matthew Prain with President Scott ‘Chubb’ Attwooll
Major Sponsor & Runners up, Col Hayes and his team L-R: Anthony Gillman, Chris Ryan, Len Rasmussen, Col Hayes with President Scott ‘Chubb’ Attwooll
Friday night Quickfire pairs winners: Allen Wharton & Owen Murphy
BUNDABERG HOSTS 76TH QRI STATE CARNIVAL
It was a wonderful “get together” for bowlers coming from over the State to participate in the 76th Queensland Railway Intersystem (QRI) State Carnival, held at Bundaberg’s Burnett Bowls Club. This was the first time since 2014 that the Bundaberg QRI Branch hosted this event at the club.
Unfortunately, of the original 42 teams nominated for the carnival, only 38 were able to attend because of illness and a major accident on the Bruce Highway which caused major delays. This meant the carnival organisers had to do a last minute redraw of the program and thanks to them, a successful carnival went ahead despite the initial challenges.
The Carnival began on Sunday, September 1 with a meet and greet and BBQ. On Monday, Burnett’s Finance Director John Lucy introduced Mayor Helen Blackburn who opened the three-day event before handing over to QRI Bundaberg Branch President Keith Ware. The presentation dinner took place on Wednesday after six games of bowls in trying windy conditions.
After three days of intensive bowls only two teams managed to win all their games. Winning the John Patterson Memorial Trophy was Bruce Archer’s team of Mike Lowe and Bertha Archer with a score of 18 plus 80. Bruce also won the Bob Cook Memorial Shield as the most successful skip. Runners up and winners of the Beckwith and Kiernan Trophy was David Owen’s team of Alan Buse and Julie Buse with a score of 18 plus 58.
Other placings were Keith Whalley’s team from Bundaberg (third); Mike Sorrensen’s team from Warwick (fourth) and Gary Costigan’s team from Townsville (fifth).
John Lucy, Secretary Treasurer of the Bundaberg QRI Branch, who organised the Carnival said that it wasn’t only the game itself that was enjoyable, but also “meeting old friends and reminiscing about the good times shared together and the colleagues no longer with us”.
Our sincere thanks go to Burnett Bowls Club for their hospitality, sponsors, volunteers and the Bundaberg QRI Branch for their great organisation of another successful QRI Carnival. We look forward to next year’s Carnival which could be held around the Hervey Bay area.
Winning team L-R: Bertha Archer & Bruce Archer (Absent: Michael Lowe)
The presentation dinner was a great success
Contributed by Sheree Cowle & Betty Goodwin
Kenilworth, Kandanga, Gympie, Albert, Cooloola Coast, Pomona and Tin Can Bay for a morning of laughter, conversation and great shots.
Congratulations to winners Beryl Liebich, Glenda Gould, Ian Martin and John Crawford and runners up Lyn Gray, Lorraine Stockham, Sue Madden and Ann Hudson.
Bowls was followed by a delicious lunch followed by birthday cake for dessert
Sponsors Janelle Walker and Joyce Parykn presented the winning trophies after the raffles and prizes were handed out.
BQ Vice President Wendy Wilson presented the club with a plaque to commemorate the occasion.
Photo albums, trophies and medals shown by Maureen Dodt were a topic of conversation between the older members as well as clippings
At the back of our minds were the memories of building our club back after the devastating floods of 2022. Resilience, determination and persistence have enabled us to rebuild our club and be able to
It was a very enjoyable day due to the wonderful team efforts of our members - from kitchen workers, ticket sellers, hall decorators and donors – and a great success for the club as a whole.
L-R: BQ’s Wendy Wilson, Ladies’ President Lyn Rackemann & MP Tony Perrett (seated)
NORTHERN BEACHES’ RAY TURNS 100!
By Chris Gee (Ray’s son)
Raymond Gee OAM was born on 25 July 1924 at Dee Wye (Northern Beaches area of Sydney), the house he was born in (no hospital) is still there. He was one of six children.
Dad rowed surf boats for Dee Why and played rugby league for Manly Warringah before they were the Sea Eagles (he only stopped playing because I was born and there was no insurance in those days and he couldn’t afford to get hurt). Raymond did two trades at the one time, Electrical and Fitter & Turner, as you you could do this during the war. He married Jean Holburn and they had five children, in order Chris (me), Peter, Annette, Deborah, and Alan.
We were into sports, so Mum and Dad were very involved in setting up and running a number of sports clubs including soccer, netball, swimming and Curl Curl Youth Club. They both received the ‘Order Of Australia Medal’ for 40 years of community service, all associated with setting up and running these sports clubs amongst other community projects.
After he moved up to Mackay about 20 years ago, we got him into lawn bowls, when he was 82 years old! Being into sports he loved it and he and I took out the district and then zone pairs.
When we went to Bribie Island to compete, all the players down Ray Gee with his 100-year medal
L-R: Four Generations L-R: Zoey Gee (great granddaughter), Brett Gee (grandson), Chris Gee (son) & Ray Gee
Ray in action
there knew me, but I was an old bloke to them and when they saw ‘father and son’ would be playing together they naturally assumed it would be me and my son. The Bribie players were very good to Dad, and he had a great time - we actually won one game. My father-in-law Peter Riley was the one who tricked us into playing bowls there and our fours team was Peter 93, Dad 91, myself 65 and Brett (my son) 40 so we had 289 years between us in the team!
Dad had not played bowls for about five years because his knees were bad, but he had them replaced when he was about 97 and they are now good. I have had him down to have a roll and he hasn’t lost his touch. He had bought a bowling arm to use but after two bowls he threw it away and bowled normally and also did the same with the pick-up stick.
For Dad’s 100th Birthday, we had the family party at Northern Beaches Bowls Club; they provided the venue, and the family did the decorations. About 60 family and some friends made it to the party and they came from all over.
Northern Beaches Bowls Club also held a party for Dad about a week after his birthday so it didn’t clash with the family one. They put on a meal, birthday cake and presented the 100-year-old medal sent up for him by Bowls Queensland. (Thank you for that!)
There was a short bowls event where everybody had to get a bowl from the bowls box (not their own), they set up a kitty and everybody was to have a bowl. Dad was asked to go first and he put the bowl about 5cm from the kitty! Well, they all cheered and raised their glasses for another drink. It was a good day.
All in all, his birthday went for about three weeks, and he was very tired, but happy, by the end of it.
A Century of Love: For Pa on His 100th Birthday
A century of memories, a life filled with love, your legacy shines like the stars above.
With a heart so full and a spirit so bright, And your service to the community, a guiding light.
To the fields of our sports, you’d come rain or shine,
Cheering us on, your support a lifeline.
With green frog cakes from the bakery in tow, Sweet moments shared, our hearts all aglow.
In the ocean’s embrace, we’d venture far and wide,
On your strong back, we’d joyfully ride.
The waves our playground, the sun our guide, In Curly’s salty waters, pure happiness applied.
Evenings with bread, a simple, shared delight, Your laughter a melody in the quiet night.
Sparkling apple juice, our glasses raised high, Toasting to moments that will never die.
In your garage, you’d potter about and mend, A craftsman’s touch, a magic you’d lend.
Every nook a testament to your skilled hands, Turning the ordinary into something grand.
Cups of tea, warm and steeped with care, In every sip, your wisdom we’d share.
Stories and laughter around the table’s light, In your presence, everything feels right.
Pa, your love is our endless song, A melody that plays, unwavering and strong. With grateful hearts, we celebrate you today, Happy 100th birthday, in every heartfelt way.
By Kate and Jen
Invitation to Ray’s 100th Party
Left: Ray with his latest great granddaughter (100 years between them)
WOODGATE’S NONAGEnaRIAN robbie PLAYS ON!
Meet Robbie Ryan who has been playing bowls at Woodgate Bowls Club for more than 50 years.
As a young man, Robbie chipped cane for a few years and then joined his father on the family cane farm before marrying Pat in 1957.
Before playing bowls, both Robbie and Pat were great tennis players and played every Sunday around the district.
Bowls came into their life when, in Robbie’s words, they had no water and it didn’t rain on the farm, rather than spend the weekend watching the cane die, they came to Woodgate.
When the idea to create a bowls green at Woodgate was first floated, non-bowler Robbie didn’t attend the meetings, but both he and Pat contributed financially and helped with the physical work at the beginning.
Physical it must have been, clearing the land, positioning the bought ditches, transporting the loam from the Gregory River and levelling the greens with a tractor.
The couch grass used at that time was all planted by hand, mainly by the women. It was ready to be played on in 1973, when 18 bowlers took to the green.
About 10 of the 18 inaugural bowlers knew how to play bowls, and after playing at Childers or the Isis Mill,
Robbie Ryan in action
Robbie with his sons L-R: Paul, Neville, Robbie, Mark & Bruce
Robbie’s 90th birthday
taught the others how to play the game. Needless to say, that was the end of the tennis for Pat and Robbie, and they became avid bowlers.
Robbie was the first to win the B grade Men’s Singles, and has gone on to win many Open Men’s Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours competitions, as well as still playing in the First Division Woodgate Pennant Team.
He and Pat both filled the position of Patron and Patroness over the years, while Robbie was also president and member of the club committee.
Robbie still enjoys a game at least three to four times a week and now plays with a bowling arm.
He enjoys nothing better than to have a game with his sons and grandsons.
The family of players, who along with their wives, granddaughters and various other relations and friends, enjoyed a Carnival Day generously sponsored by Robbie and the family to celebrate Robbie’s 90th birthday.
While Robbie is not the only foundation member still with us, he is the only one 50 years on still out on the green every week enjoying his beloved game of bowls.
Sadly, Pat passed away a few months ago, but those of us who love and respect him hope to see him out there enjoying life for many more to come.
Robbie and Pat celebrating 50 years of Woodgate Bowls Club
First division Pennant Fours back L-R: Trevor Christensen & Maurie Strano; front Clinton Dowling & Robbie
Contributed by Lesley Christensen
Triples team Trevor Christensen & Robbie with his grandson, Luke
Robbie with his extended family at his bowls day
Coaching with BQ Coaching Committee
Fundamentals of the delivery in lawn bowls
By Alan Thorp
In the last edition of The Queensland Bowler, we covered some of the causes of short bowls. I have had a lot of feedback on this, which has prompted me to deliver the following article to address this issue.
The sequence of physical movement for a draw shot delivery
1. Stand behind the mat.
2. If right-handed, place right foot (anchor foot) on centre line with toe approx 10cms from front of mat.
3. Keep heel stable and pivot toe to required aiming/intended line.
4. Bring left foot up as close as possible to right foot, where comfortable and balanced.
5. Transfer bowl from non-bowling hand to bowling hand.
6. Check bias and centre finger is running down centre of running surface of the bowl.
7. Fix in mind length of jack.
8. Focus eyes on aiming line/intended line.
9. Shoulders, hips, knees, all square to the aiming line.
10. Slightly bend knees so that upper body weight is above toes.
11. Deliver with a normal walking step.
12. Stay down for approx 3 seconds (follow through) watching bowl in progress.
13. Step forward and watch bowl finish its run.
14. Retire to the rear of the mat.
Summary
I would like readers to consider that the sequence described is a great set up for the training of new bowlers in developing a solid delivery base. We all know, and hopefully acknowledge, that as humans
ECKA’S TIP
we are all different in our physical makeup. As such, a number of things may and can be adjusted to suit individuals taking into consideration, comfort, biomechanics and safety factors.
As players, due to physical impairment associated with a number of factors as we progress through life, it may be necessary to change our delivery style. We may also be required to transfer to a bowling aid, but the sequence of the delivery and movements will always remain in one form or another in getting a bowl to the desired target or scoring zone.
Having spoken to bowlers about the August issue Coaching column, I can see why they wanted to know more information about the actual sequence of the delivery. Basically, in having the information, it allows the bowler to focus on the movements and subconsciously they can more easily relate a poor delivery to a particular area of the set up and movement.
Hopefully the sequence described will help those enquirers and in the follow ups to this article I will address the things that can have significant effects on the actual delivery of the bowl if several of the physical movements are not followed.
I thank all those members for their enquiries and let’s hope the following articles can improve players delivery, consistency and performance.
The next issue will focus on loss of aiming line, over bowling and balance.
Changing a seasoned player’s technique should not be considered if the player is bowling well. You don’t need a perfect technique to get desired results (consistency is the key).
Pictured left: Members/coaches of the Caboolture Lakes Bowls Club who recently undertook a multi-disability coaching course to learn how to best coach athletes with disabilities. L-R: Michael Flint, John Jenkinson, Geoff Sanderson, Kevin Appleton & Paul Mulholland
