State Champion of Club Champions

FOURS: HEWSON AND MILLERICK SKIP FOURS TO VICTORY

By Kelsey Cottrell

The 2022 State Champion of Club Champions held October 22-27 at Souths Suburban Bowls Club in Mackay started with the tournament heavy weights firing the first shots in the fours discipline.

Club Pine Rivers combination of Michael Breen, Stephen Kaefer, James Schiulaz and Aaron Hewson overcame their challenges in both sectional play and the final to secure gold, whilst in the women’s event Rachel Davies, Karen Goldsworthy, Kelsey Cottrell and Bolivia Millerick from the Broadbeach Bulls went through the tournament undefeated, but with their own hurdles to jump during the two days of competition.

The Broadbeach combination overcame the eventual bronze medallist in the opening round of sectional play, a game worthy of a final came down to the final bowl with Millerick holding on for a slender one-shot victory over Hamilton’s Lauren Carpenter (nee Wilson), Pamela Rowe, Jacinta Weier and Wendy Wilson. On the other side of the draw, Cheryl Lorkin, Beck Payne, Aymee Bellert and Dianne Reed from Tansey, had sailed through sectional play with a whopping 3 wins plus a margin of 94!

In the Gold Medal Match, despite being behind for most the game, Tansey finally got their noses in front with four ends left to play; however, this only brought out the best in the Broadbeach combination who accepted the challenge that was being thrown at them.

A killer blow for Tansey was a deadly accurate drive from Millerick, killing the 20th end whilst Tansey were holding two. A double on that end would have put Tansey three in front playing the final end, but instead on the replayed end, Cottrell and Millerick conjured up 3 shots with their final 3 bowls giving Broadbeach a two-shot lead playing the final end.

A fine attempt from Dianne Reed went ever so close to forcing an extra end but Broadbeach held on for gold, a first State Champion of Champion gold medal for Rachel Davies and Kelsey Cottrell, and back-toback golds for Goldsworthy who claimed the Pairs in 2021.

On the live streamed men’s Gold Medal match; the local favourites from neighbouring Mackay club Glenn Luck, Ross Blanchard, Tony Gibson and Michael Walsh were throwing the kitchen sink and some at the more fancied Pine Rivers side.

The crowd was certainly playing a big part with over 100 locals coming down to the Souths Suburban Bowls Club to cheer on the gents from Mackay. The difference in the match was the outstanding lead’s display from Michael Breen which helped turn a heavy deficit back in favour of the pirates.

Another major turning point was a big conversion from Hewson to remove Mackay’s two shot bowls to pick up three and then the tactical change up of playing minimum length ends gave Pine Rivers all the momentum in the final third of the match.

In the playoffs for bronze, Mt Isa (Nathan Barrett, Alex Murtagh, Duane Cahill and Damien McGee) came from behind against Burleigh Heads in the men’s match whilst Hamilton defeated Marlin Coast 30-24 in the women’s match.

Burleigh Heads

Boonooroo

Broadbeach Algester

Bargara

North Toowoomba Charleville

Mackay

Surat Pine Rivers Memorial

Mt Isa

Hamilton

Tansey Biloela Emerald Marlin Coast

Winners Gold Pine Rivers L-R: Michael Breen, Steve Kaefer, James Schiulaz & Aaron Hewson Silver Mackay L-R: Ross Blanchard, Tony Gibson, Glenn Luck & Michael Walsh Bronze Mt Isa L-R: Alex Murtagh, Duane Cahill Nathan Barrett & Damien McGee

They say beware of the wounded bowler and that was proven at the Champion of Club Championship Pairs. The Tweed Heads pairing of Claire Turley and Lynsey Clarke sensationally claimed gold despite Claire playing in a moon boot to protect the two broken bones in her foot; being pushed along in a borrowed wheelchair by a local bowler Laura Andersen. A huge injury a few days out would have sent most packing, but with a State title on the line and not enough time to find a substitute, these two good mates weren’t going to die wondering. They progressed through their section with ease, three strong wins but they had to face a tenacious duo from Airlie Beach who had also qualified for the final undefeated in sectional play.

Carol Crosbie and Betty Nicolle had nothing to lose playing a current and former Australian Jackaroo; however, given the injury cloud over Turley they must have backed their chances for a big upset. At 7 a piece we were in for a cracking game; however, Tweed Heads quickly strung together 9 unanswered shots to lead 16-7 after 10 ends. Tweed Heads continued to apply the pressure and the biggest margin of the game was established at the 18-end mark, 26-16. Turley and Clarke went on to lift the trophy, adding another State title to their impressive resumes and no doubt this event will be one these mates will be talking about for years to come!

In the men’s competition we were treated to a top-level final with Broadbeach’s Chris Lanham and Sean Ingham taking on Nic Gosley and Mark Armstrong from Pialba. Both teams had qualified for the final with three from three wins in their sections, taking down some big scalps along the way. The start of the match was a see-sawing battle with plenty of close heads for the skips to play at, a few big drives and conversions by Armstrong and Ingham was entertaining for all, but at the half-way mark it was the boys from Pialba who were in the box seat. In the end the consistency of Gosley and Armstrong proved too good, and the pair went on to win in commanding style 24-8.

It was an all-round top effort for the Airlie Beach Club walking away with a silver in the women’s event and fourth in the men’s pairs. Airlie’s Shane Spann and Armando Isgro were defeated on an extra end 16-17 against young guns Joel Smith and Stephen Savage from Tara.

On the neighbouring rink Bargara’s Jennifer Hearn and Adele Pershouse were relentless in their pursuit of a medal with a 23-10 victory over sisters Fiona and Nicole Williams from Boonooroo-Sandy Straits.

SINGLES: TWO NEW SINGLES CHAMPIONS CROWNED

The weather wasn’t the only thing hot in Mackay, the quality of bowls for the Champion of Club Champion Singles event was everything we expected and more. Any victory over Aron Sherriff, especially off the back of his recent form, is a victory you will never forget, but to do it in such emphatic style shows the class of player our newly crowned State Champion is.

Glen Pitts, formally a top-level player from Northern NSW and now a Queensland Over 40’s representative, put on a clinical display in today’s final which saw Algester’s best score a 25-10 win over Broadbeach star Aron Sherriff and etch his name onto an impressive honour roll of previous winners. Pitts had qualified for the final with three strong wins over Alex Murtagh, Chris Rosanes and Armando Isgro; arguably the tougher of the two sections.

Sherriff had cruised through his section with a margin nearly three times that of Glen Pitts; but fast forward 24 hours and all that meant nothing when the final commenced. Pitts got out of the blocks the quickest and in the blink of an eye, he had established a 13-2 lead. Things didn’t get much better for Sherriff who was unable to find a way to stop his opponents great form and Glen Pitts ran away with the game.

In the women’s final earlier today the one who got out of the blocks the fastest was also the one hunted down. Julia Brownie (nee Allen-Best) didn’t let the slow start worry her, she knuckled down quickly and started to put her more experienced opponent under immense pressure. Brownie lost the first four ends

Broadbeach

Pialba

Tweed Heads Laidley

Gladstone

North Toowoomba Tara

Airlie Beach

Roma Kawana

Weipa

Kawana

Boonooroo Bargara Airlie Beach Suburban

Winners Pialba L-R: Mark Armstrong & Nic Gosley Silver Broadbeach L-R: Chris Lanham & Sean Ingham Bronze Tara L-R: Stephen Savage & Joel Smith

It was a one-sided affair in the women’s bronze medal playoff with Australian Emerging Squad member Kira Bourke defeating Mackay local Diane Faulkner 25-8.

The men’s playoff for bronze was a more see-sawing battle with never more than a handful of shots separating Alex Murtagh (Mt Isa) and John Hammond (Roma). The lead constantly changed but it was former Queensland State Representative Alex Murtaugh who claimed the victory 25-22. Our two champions, Glen Pitts and Julia Best will represent Queensland at next year’s Australian Champion of Champions as part of the two-week long national event on the Gold Coast.

Bowls Queensland would like to sincerely thank Henselite, Atsichs Mackay, the Mackay Regional Council for their support of this event and the Souths Suburban Bowls Club for their hospitality and acknowledge the volunteers and officials who made this event possible. Thank-you to the Gold Coast Tweed District Media Team who live streamed six days of play during the Champion of Club Champion Fours, Pairs and Singles; 12 games can be found on the Bowls Queensland Facebook page under videos. Thank you to Kelsey Cottrell and Wendy Wilson for assisting with photography.

Group winners men L-R: Evan O’Rourke (Wondai), John Hammond (Roma), Alex Murtagh (Mount Isa), Glen Pitts (Algester), Aron Sherriff (Broadbeach), Chris Rosanes (Pine Rivers Mem), Armando Isgro (Airlie Beach) & Robert Huggers (Biloela)

Group winners women L-R: Kira Bourke (Tweed Heads), Bronwyn Torrens (Monto), Wendy Wilson (Hamilton), Joan Tennent (Burrum Heads), Julia Brownie (West Toowoomba), Diana Faulkner (Mackay City), Sue Slatter (Chinchilla) & Denise Charman (Silkwood)

Winner Gold Algester’s Glen Pitts Silver Broadbeach’s Aron Sherriff Bronze Mt Isa’s Alex Murtagh

Laws on drawn games in a knockout, dead ends and live jack in the ditch

We have now completed the State Finals for the Champion of Club Champions, 8-A-Side, Pennant and the Nationals Congratulations to all winners and players. The State Mixed Pairs held 19-20 November will complete the finals for 2022 and I wish all players a successful and enjoyable weekend. Continuing on from the October column, I have still been receiving queries and questions regarding various laws and I thank you all for your calls and emails and trust that I have been able to answer your various questions. Following are some answers to these questions:

Law 28 (pages 39/40) A drawn game in a knockout (eliminating) competition.

• 28.1 In a knockout (eliminating) competition with a fixed number of ends, if the scores are equal when all ends have been played; an extra end must be played to decide the result. • 28.2 The coaches in a side game (or, in their absence, representative of the sides), skips in a team game or opponents in Singles must toss a coin and the winner will decide who must play first as described in laws 5.2.2 and 5.2.3. • 28.3 The extra end must be played from where the previous end was completed. If, before a bowl has been played by each team, a player, or the umpire notices that the extra end is being played in the wrong direction, it will be restarted in the correct direction. If a bowl has been played by each team, play in that end will continue. • 28.4 If an extra end is completed and the scores are still equal, another extra end must be played. • 28.5 If more than one extra end is needed, the coaches or representatives, skips or opponents must again toss a coin and the winner will decide who must play first. • 28.6 If an extra end is declared dead, law 20.3 will apply. (See law 20.3 below for details).

Law 20 (page 35) Dead End.

• 20.1 A dead end is not counted as a completed end even if all the bowls required to be played have been played. • 20.2 A dead end must be replayed in the same direction unless the skips or opponents in Singles agree to play it in the opposite direction. (If the jack and bowls need to be transferred to the opposite end of the rink before the end is replayed, they must be transferred in a way which avoids distracting players on neighbouring rinks). • 20.3 If the skips or opponents in Singles or the umpire declare an end dead, the first to play in that end must also play first when the end is replayed.

Conditions of Play:

Problems seem to come up quite regularly with Conditions of Play. It’s important that all officials and players read the Conditions of Play for each event they enter or officiate at as regular changes can occur. They may be slight changes, but they are important and can affect your game. I recommend that you read the following laws regarding the Conditions of Play Member National Authorities can make (domestic regulations) to cover aspects of the sport. Controlling Bodies must decide what Conditions of Play are necessary to govern their competitions.

Section 52 (page 91) Game Regulations.

57 Regulations for play – page 91. 57.1 Domestic regulations – pages 91 – 92 – 93. 57.2 Conditions of play – page 93. • Appendix A – pages 95 – 100. • Appendix B – pages 101 – 106. • Appendix C – pages 107 – 110. • Domestic Regulations – pages 111 – 121.

Question: A jack in the ditch is moved by a non-toucher played by Team A entering the ditch what should happen? Law 18 (pages 33 – 34) Live Jack in the ditch.

18.4 If a jack in the ditch is displaced by a non-toucher entering the ditch, law 38.5.3 will apply.

Law 38.5 (pages 56 – 57 Jack displacement by a nontoucher.

38.5.3 If a jack at rest in the ditch is displaced by a nontoucher entering the ditch, an opponent or the marker must put it back to its former position. The above are some of the questions/queries I have received and please remember, do not hesitate to contact me or the Bowls Queensland Umpire Committee with your questions/ queries and these will be discussed and answered.

Law 18 and 18.1 - Live jack in the ditch. Law 18.4 - If a jack in the ditch is displaced by a non-toucher entering the ditch, law 38.5.3 will apply. Law 38.5.3 - If a jack at rest in the ditch is displaced by a non-toucher entering the ditch, an opponent or the marker must put it back to its former position.

Help yourself!

In our role as Regional Bowls Managers, we are frequently asked about securing grants. These grants come in many forms and from many different sectors. Grants provide clubs with opportunities to do improvements they are not in a position financially to do themselves. With the added pressures of ageing members and declining memberships of clubs around Australia, increased competition within the hospitality sectors and wild weather events, these grant opportunities are welcomed.

Grants aren’t as easily obtained as they once were. As times become tougher financially, the people deciding on who receives money will be looking at a few things. For example: • Is there a business or strategic plan in place? • Is the club in a viable position - will it still be trading in three years? • What opportunities will the money provide? • Does this cater for everyone.?

Strategic/ Business Plan

Separate from our everyday bowls events, a business plan encompasses many factors, including knowing your local demographic and plans to grow your business each year. It gives a clear insight into the collective plan set down by your committee to continually grow your club. This may mean taking a chance and launching a Jack Attack program on a Monday night. Good news from another State shows that a Jack Attack event launched in such a positive manner at one club is now a local LGBTI go to, with a green full of social bowlers enjoying an accepting and non-judgemental environment. A night where the club used to close at 6pm now trades solidly until 9pm.

The importance of formulating a plan like this is critical. A club in my area, Yungaburra, has the best business plan I’ve seen so far. This club is in a small town, but has been very successful in maintaining their business and it is very pleasing to see.

Becoming all inclusive

No divide should exist between men’s and women’s bowls. I visited a club last week that I hadn’t been to in some time, that used to hold a men’s bowls event that filled three rinks at best. I was pleasantly surprised to see this event is now an Open event and had a green full of people. A small step in the right direction.

Ask yourself, is your club wheelchair accessible? Do you cater for people of all abilities? Of all cultures? Does your club have a junior bowls or schools program? The above mentioned groups can open up new lines of grants for running programs and events. This can often lead to new members, financial benefits and media attention.

Making Life easier

The COVID pandemic forced the world to evolve. Has your club evolved? One club in my area has a fantastic website, good social media coverage and a fully automated membership system. This system sends membership invoices out to current members reminding them of renewal. We are currently in a time poor society, so the person here that normally volunteers countless hours is now free to help out with multiple other tasks. For more information on this, feel free to reach out to Marlin Coast BC, they can provide more details.

In closing, the best chance at securing a grant is ensuring you have the following things in place. A business or strategic plan, solid programs in place or plans to do so, quotes for services (if applicable), letters of support, (think outside the square here) and be sure to provide details of how the grant will benefit your club and local community by giving projected facts.

Queensland has the best RBMs at your disposal, do not hesitate to reach out to your local Regional Bowls Manager, we are all too happy to help.

RBM - NORTH QLD RBM - CENTRAL QLD RBM - SOUTH EAST QLD

Micheal Sorrensen 0447 507 040 msorrensen@bowls.com.au

Your Guide to Trading Hours during the Holiday Period

As bowls clubs prepare for a variety of functions and festivities during the Christmas and New Year period, we thought it was timely for a quick reminder on the trading restrictions. While your bowls club is approved for certain trading hours every day, your liquor licence specifically states that this excludes Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve.

Restrictions on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day & New Year’s Eve Christmas Eve

The sale and supply of alcohol must finish at 12 midnight on Christmas Eve. Bowls club’s patrons are still allowed the 30-minute grace period after 12 midnight to finish their drinks, but must leave the premises by 12.30am on Christmas Day.

Christmas Day

Bowls clubs may re-commence serving liquor between the hours of 10.00am and 12 midnight on Christmas Day. However, liquor must only be sold in conjunction with meal areas of the premises that are “ordinarily set aside for dining”. Bowls clubs can sell liquor to patrons one hour before, during, and up to one hour after the patron has their meal. Gaming is not permitted on Christmas Day.

New Year’s Eve

On New Year’s Eve, bowls clubs are permitted to trade until 2.00am without having to obtain specific approval for an extended trading hours permit.

Temporary Early Morning Trading

Temporary one-off extended hours permits can be obtained by bowls clubs for early morning trading prior to 10.00am, but these are limited to four permits per year. Due to the unique nature of sporting activities and early morning starts at bowls clubs, there is the presumption that liquor sales are needed between 7.00am and 10.00am, which exempts bowls clubs (and golf clubs) from needing to demonstrate community demand for liquor during these hours. Other club licensees must demonstrate need for these hours, and non-club licensees can only obtain approval to trade for functions between 7.00am and 9.00am.

Temporary Late-Night Trading

While standard liquor licence trading hours in Queensland are 10.00am to 12.00am, 7 days per week, bowls clubs can seek approval for late night extended hours to trade until 2.00am (or until 3.00am if located within a designated Safe Night Precinct). Temporary one-off extended hours permits can be obtained for late night trading and are limited to six permits per year. These permits will only be granted for ‘special occasions’ which must be either: • a unique or infrequent special public event of local, state or national significance, such as a local music festival or a televised international sporting match; or • a private function not open to the public, such as a wedding or birthday. Please note: If your bowls club wishes to apply for a temporary one-off extended hours permit, the application must be lodged with the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation at least 21 days before the event date. The Mullins Hospitality team can help your bowls club with its obligations when it comes to restrictions during the holiday period and applying for temporary extended hours for special events. Please contact me, Matt Bradford at (07) 3224 0353, for any further assistance.

Monto’s Presidents’ Day & Life Member

The Monto Bowls Club recently held its annual combined Presidents’ Day when Ladies’ President Phyllis Williams and Men’s President Barry Woodall welcomed players from the Port Curtis and Burnett Districts, plus seven teams from Across The Waves club in Bundaberg.

During the festivities, the Men’s Port Curtis District President Bill Sophias presented Barry with the District Pennant flag recently won by Monto club and badges were presented to players by Life Member John James. Club members and visitors also congratulated and honoured John, who had reached his 50th year of club membership.

John joined the Monto Men’s Bowling Club on 22 March 1972. Several years ago, the club became the Monto Bowling Club Inc when the ladies and men’s sections were unified. He volunteers many hours at the club, whilst still playing and enjoying the game and the friendship of other members. He has won numerous competitions at home and away, has held office and mentored many others in club roles. John has been a dedicated green director, a local selector, opens the club on playing days and arranges most of the raffles for these days. John has been ably supported by his wife Peg, who has also contributed much to the local club, including being the Ladies’ Secretary for many years. John said he was humbled by the kind words and presentation made to him in recognition of his milestone and thanked everyone.

Contributed by Bronwen Torrens

Men’s President Barry Woodall & Ladies’ President Phyllis Williams

Life Member John James, a member of Monto Bowls Club for 50 years

Carnival time at Burrum Heads

Burrum Heads is the hidden gem of the Fraser Coast, approximately 25km north of Hervey Bay on the banks of the beautiful Burrum River.

The ladies’ section, with President Velma Lingard, recently held their Springtime Carnival. This Ladies’ Fours event is well supported by local clubs, visitors and many travelling bowlers. Much effort goes into these events to offer good competition whilst promoting our sport in the most positive and enjoyable way.

The men’s annual Open Fours will be in November and the regular “Gunsmoke” Open Pairs is held bimonthly on the third Thursday. If you are in the area, come check us out, or better still, make a special trip – you won’t be disappointed.

Contributed by Joan Tennent

Winners L-R: Janice Sprobon, Lynda Kattenburg, Jo Dugdell & Joan Gleeson from Urangan Runners Up L-R: Maree Gibbs, Brenda Shea, Delma Clark & Sue Ramsay Volunteers L-R: Melda Kenyon, Margaret Andrews & Robyn Fielding

Pine Rivers Friendship and Charity Day

Many of the 70 members who attended the president’s annual Friendship and Charity Day at Pine Rivers Bowls Club donned pink for the occasion. The charity was Be Uplifted Breast Cancer Incorporated, a support service for breast cancer patients and just over $1,730 was raised from plants, food and bric-a-brac donated by our lady members.

After bowls, lunch was served on the deck and we all enjoyed the cake, cut by our Patron Rose Kling and President Lyn Giles, which was a joint celebration of our pennant teams and our charity day.

Our PRLBC Pennants teams won the Division 1 flag and were runners-up in Division 2. It was a great day with lots of fun, good bowling and some great outfits. We are looking forward to holding this event again next year.

President Lyn Giles & Patron Rose Kling cutting the cake Sponsors Ken & Lyn Giles (President) Stall volunteers L-R: Ann Heidke, Ann-Marie Clark, Lyn Giles (President) & Linda Mitchell

Contributed by Susan Williams

Moura Bowls Club Hosts President’s Day

Moura Bowls Club played host to local Central Queensland teams for its recent Men’s President’s Day. Moura BC is a small country club with very few bowling members so President Brian Fisher was pleased to welcome so many visitors to his special day.

Despite early showers, the weather cleared for 48 bowlers to enjoy a full day of mixed bowls on our green. The day included two rounds of bowls, a delicious lunch and the meeting of old friends and new.

Winners were Moura’s Peter Hoath’s composite team, runners-up Victoria Park (Rockhampton) and some very pleased raffle winners. Moura Bowls Club looks forward to holding more events like the Men’s President’s Day in the future.

Winners Moura team L-R: Robert Hamlyn, Ernest Hamlyn (Taroom), Wayne Kussrow, Peter Hoath & President Brian Fisher

Sarina Ladies Celebrate 80 Years

District President Lyn Jackson, President Rita Hughes & BQ’s Colleen Ryan Sarina Bowls Club ladies celebrated their 80th birthday recently with BQ Director Colleen Ryan, MDLBA President Lynn Jackson, along with bowlers from other clubs. Five past presidents, four past members, club patroness and men’s president all attended the celebration. A total of 93 people joined in the festivities with two hours of bowls, some great entertainment from four Sarina ladies followed by a delicious lunch. It was a very successful day and enjoyed by all.

Tenterfield Celebrates 90 Years

From humble beginnings from the vision of a local man, Mr W H McCotter, Tenterfield Bowls Club now commands a central place in the history of bowls and recently celebrated its 90th anniversary. Mr McCotter built a bowling green in front of his home in Molesworth Street and, on Australia day in 1930, Colonel Bruxner opened the green. Two years later, a five-year lease agreement was made with Mr McCotter, which included the clubhouse at extra cost with an option to buy and the first AGM was held. Newlyappointed green keeper, Robert Gardner, bought a motor mower, set green fees at 6d, determined the club colours and proposed a meeting with other clubs to form Northern Tablelands Bowling Federation. By 1942, more land had been bought and a clubhouse built and the original house became the green keeper’s cottage. In 1944, the members held a special meeting to consider “the vexatious matter of the Ladies Bowling Club” and finally, in 1957, ladies bowls was launched. Motel Stage 1 happened in 2000 and expanded in 2005 by six units. Marking the occasion of Tenterfield’s 90th anniversary, the No 1 Green was renamed the W H McCotter Green in the founder’s honour. Ian McCotter (grandson), Jim Bennett (Club President) and committee member Gary Chorley were on hand for the unveiling of the plaque to rename the green. Jim Bennett spoke briefly on the history of the bowling club and the importance of the W H McCotter building, the original green and clubhouse. Ian McCotter was introduced and thanked the club for the honour bestowed on his grandfather. Jim Bennett and Ian McCotter raised the Tenterfield Bowls Club flag and declared the green the W H McCotter Green.

Contributed by Barbara Carter

L-R: Stephen Bowen (Club Manager), Bryce Titcume (President SDMDBA), Jim Bennett (Club President), Ian McCotter (Grandson of W H McCotter) & Gennyfer Whitehead (Bowls Committee) Unveiling the W.H. McCotter Green

Spring Day at Victoria Point

The Annual Spring Flower Day, first played in 1994, was held in September at Victoria Point BC. It has always been an important day on our yearly calendar and this year we received entries from 20 teams from the following clubs: Beenleigh, Cleveland, Logan City, Manly, Mt. Gravatt, Paradise Point, Wellington Point and our members from Victoria Point.

The day commenced with a delicious morning tea, Round 1 of 15 ends followed by an enjoyable lunch, then Round 2 of 15 ends with afternoon tea and presentations. We also had a wonderful raffle table, pick-of-the-table, hand-made craft articles and a display of Henselite products.

Winners L-R: Stephanie Carrington, Maggie Helmn, Lorraine Newton & Lesley Jaskowski Runners-up L-R: Jenny Mills, Tamara Davis, Robyn Millard & Ann Van Der Loose Mystery prize winners L-R: Barbara Black, Judy Roberts, Jan Myatt & Dianne Whimp

Jacky Cherry dressed for Spring! Raffle table Pick-of-the-table Handmade craft stall

Contributed by Joan Brotherton

Burnett’s Jack turns 90!

Congratulations to Jack Stewart who recently celebrated his birthday with his Dad’s Army mates. Jack has been bowling for 48 years and a member of Burnett Bowls Club Bundaberg West since 2014. He was the manager of the Division 1 Pennant team for 2021 and a volunteer worker with Dad’s Army for six years. Jack said, “The boys give freely of their time and their expertise is outstanding”.

Contributed by Trish Hansen

L-R: Wayne Watson, Les Whalley, Wayne Fagg, Mick Jeffs, Birthday Boy Jack Stewart, Keith Ware & Barry Peat

New octogenarians Jan Mallett & Julanne Brown from Pomona Bowls Club

Pomona’s Double 80th Celebration

Pomona’s Jan Mallett and Julanne Brown celebrated their 80th birthday with friends at the club.

Both ladies have been champion bowlers and are the ladies’ patronesses. They are still very active selling raffle tickets and enjoy talking to the many patrons at the club. Congratulations Jan and Julanne!

80 years for South Suburban’s Presidents at Home

The women from Suburban Ladies Bowls Club in Mackay celebrated their 80th birthday of the Presidents at Home. President Lorna Coad, club members, bowlers from surrounding clubs and district members joined in the festivities and BQ Director, Carmel Gibb, attended the event. A game of bowls and a lovely afternoon tea was had by all. President Lorna, along with the MDLBA President Lyn Jackson, did the honours of cutting the tasty cake. A little fun was introduced when a town crier (Shirley Wesche) appeared and announced the arrival of “The Queen”. “The Queen” (Lorraine Griffiths) gave a wonderful, hilarious speech and presented President Lorna with the OBE (Over Bloody Eighty) medal. Carmel said she enjoyed a lot of laughs and has built some good memories. “I would like to thank all the ladies and Col the Chairman of the Board, who was also my taxi driver, for their hospitality during my very short visit.” Contributed by Carmel Gibb

President Lorna Coad & MDLBA President Lyn Jackson cut the cake The Queen (Lorraine Griffiths) with Lorna Coad The Town Crier (Shirley Wesche)

Historic Journey to Pennant Flag for Coorparoo Doves

The Coorparoo Doves made history on September, 19 when they took out the Ladies Gateway District Division 4 Pennant title, bringing home the flag for the first time in 40+ years and the first time ever as members of the Gateway District. It was 1979 when the Coorparoo women last brought home a pennant flag when they were a part of the old Brisbane District and before the Gateway District had been formed.

Back L-R: Mel Carr, Karen Potrzeba & Erica Frost. Front L-R: Mary Williams and Val Daley (reserves), Mary Burton, Trish Hagenlocher, Cathy Delbridge and Christine Morris & Tanya Drewitt (skips) When the call was put out for nominations for the 2022 pennant season, just 11 ladies put their hand up. Two of the team had been bowling for less than two years, another few for less than five years, and this was the first pennant season for most of them – what an experience it was! With COVID, work commitments and illness, there were weeks where ladies with an injury still played just so that we weren’t forced to forfeit. The camaraderie between the strong, united team who were there for each other every week during the event, was evident to other teams. To say that everyone was super excited to make it to the final is an understatement and we went into the game already feeling like winners. It really was just the icing on the cake to take home the flag. The Coorparoo men also made it to the Division 3 grand final but, unfortunately, went down by a very small margin to Wellington Point. However, another fantastic effort and result for the club.

Contributed by Dennis Beitz