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Past Presidents maintain 23 Year tradition

The past presidents of bowls clubs throughout Queensland gathered in Toowoomba recently for a week of fellowship, friendship and bowls, during the 23rd Annual Past Presidents of Queensland Bowls carnival.

Hosted by the Darling Downs Division, current President of the Past Presidents Darling Downs Queensland (PPDDQ), Ray Chicken, welcomed teams from Port Curtis, Wide Bay, Bundaberg, Caboolture and of course the Darling Downs.

It was a competitive field of 18 teams of Fours with 72 players who took to the greens of Drayton Club Rink 46, Pittsworth, Toowoomba City and Souths/Wests Club Toowoomba.

A welcome BBQ evening kicked off the week, with old and new friendships kindled before the serious business of bowls competition began.

Obvious by the results, the home ground advantage saw two Darling Downs teams go ‘hammer & tong’ to claim the major prizes. Darling Downs (5), skipped by wily Drayton Club Rink 46 veteran Graham ‘Macca’ McCarthy in company with Pittsworth trio, Ken Keleher, Ken Coutts and Debbie Gadd with a perfect run of 8 wins from 8 games, edged out the Darling Downs (7) foursome of Andrew Payne (skip), Peter Rookas, Bill Hogan and Darling Downs Secretary and Tournament organiser Sandy Lees. Third place went to Team Harvey and fourth place was claimed by Team Tickle.

One of the highlights of the carnival was the attendance of the oldest Past Presidents Queensland player George Cox. At the tender age of just 94, George never missed a beat over the entire week, playing in every one of the eight games. George generously helped sponsor the event along with Club Toowoomba, Club 46, Toowoomba Bowls Shop, Moore Trailers, Local MP David Janetzki, Ray Chicken and Carnival Secretary Graham Healy.

After playing two games per day over four days, a major presentation dinner was held at Club Toowoomba. On a sombre note, the absence of teams from near neighbours Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast & Cunningham was a disappointment and the future is not bright for PPQ. Once, back in the ‘80s and ‘90s, their numbers boasted over 400, but that has dwindled below half that number and only a resurgence in support will see future carnivals. Where once you would see multiple past presidents from each club attending each year, much has changed in recent decades. I sincerely hope we will see more past presidents attending future events.

Contributed by Peter Rookas