Bowls Plus June/July 2020

LAWN BOWLING AND LIFESTYLE Jun/Jul 2020 | Volume 11 Issue 3

ON THE GREEN

AGAIN!

Test your bowls knowledge with our quiz!

15 Ways to get your bowls fix during COVID-19

HEALTH ADVICE – LIFESTYLE – TRAVEL – HISTORY

Australia wide service

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P 21

IN THIS ISSUE How to get your club back on track

P6

How a WA club ensured contact during isolation P9 Meet Paul

P12

Who is responsible?

P24

Test your bowls knowledge

P28

Australian war history

P30

Grant boosts Chermside’s disability access P33

Jun/Jul 2020 | Volume 11 Issue 3

It’s a slow journey back to playing bowls as we know it. Small steps for now.

ON THE GREEN

AGAIN! Bendigo to go P34

on the cover

LAWN BOWLING AND LIFESTYLE

Test your bowls knowledge with our quiz!

15 Ways to get your bowls fix during COVID-19

HEALTH ADVICE – LIFESTYLE – TRAVEL – HISTORY

CONTACT US

Publisher Cornerstone Communications

Editor Jo Grey | Email: editor@bowlsplus.com.au Editorial Assistant Justin Sayson | justin@cornercomms.com.au Ad Sales Tom Sharman | tom@cornercomms.com.au Distributor David Allen

Volume 11 Issue 3

Bowls Plus Magazine ABN 39605662440

Tel: 0475 949 386 4 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

In memory of Greg Kelly Subscribe to Bowls Plus at: www.bowlsplus.com.au

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Copyright: All material appearing in this magazine is copyright. Reproduction in whole or part is not permitted without permission from the publishers.

Notice: While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine is accurate, no responsibility is accepted by the publishers for material supplied by an individual, company or organisation or for any typographical errors.

The opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the view of the publisher.

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HOW TO HIT THE GROUND RUNNING As the country starts to ease Coronavirus restrictions, there will be many clubs across the country who will find it difficult to reopen, many of whom would have struggled financially before the pandemic even began.

Bowls Plus has put together a short guide for you to consider how you can help your club bounce back bigger and stronger on the other side of this crisis.

Do a financial health check Before you can make any big decisions on the future direction of your club, you should assess the club’s financial position.

The assessment will allow you to find out whether you will be able to ensure revenues will meet strategic targets and shed some light on your business costs so you can work to achieve greater levels of efficiency and effectiveness.

Clubs like all businesses can fall into the trap of not appreciating the critical nature of some activities undertaken in an organisation and even more so, not appreciating that some activities are not just costs today, but investments in tomorrow.

Clubs need to manage the future and realise activities such as marketing whilst treated as a cost is ultimately an investment in the future.

These are key elements in the sustainability of a club for the longer term and therefore require investing in the short term.

To help a club understand its financial health and its ability to secure its future can be as simple as asking a few questions that give a sense of financial strength.

The NSW Government Office of Sport’s website has a great tool you can use to do a self-assessment of your club’s health, you can find the tool at the link below: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/clubs/rysso/financialmanagement/financialhealthtool Understand what brings capital into your club While we all would like bowls to be the incentive that draws people to the club, unfortunately, that is no longer the case and now even the bigger clubs have shifted their focus from promoting bowls to promoting their club as a social venue for drinks and dining with many rebranding to lose the words ‘bowls club’ from their name.

This does not mean that bowls is dead, it just means clubs have to change their mindset from promoting the game to promoting their club. Pivoting your club into a thriving social hub will increase your club’s bowling membership in the long term as it allows you to convert them while they are already through the door. Clubs can no longer rely on solely promoting the game itself which many clubs have been doing for a long time to no avail, despite Bowls Australia’s claims that social membership is soaring year on year.

Clubs are generally in prime spots within their community and a savvy club can and should take full advantage of their location.

Revamp your venue Is your club still an inviting place? While bowls clubs almost always have a cordial and welcoming community, at the same time the club itself is often dilapidated and in need of repair which is understandable considering the age of the club. However, often a lot can be achieved with a club’s aesthetic on a limited budget with ingenuity and hard work. Is it time you gave your club a fresh lick of paint, installed new lights, bought newer seating or replaced that old carpet? Grants could be your solution to help reduce the financial burden on your club’s finances. Investing in your club today will help ensure that it will not only be there tomorrow but that it will be thriving too.

6 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

Create a marketing plan Clubs need to use marketing techniques to attract new members and to engage in ongoing communication with them to ensure they are receiving the services they expect.

With entertainment and unstructured sports gaining popularity at the expense of traditional participation in sports, clubs have had to adapt and become far more proactive in promoting to the next group of members.

Through the development of a marketing plan, a club can segment the market into different groups based on demographics and identify a target market of people they want to attract. An effective marketing campaign can then be created that speaks to the needs of the target group.

Although marketing can be perceived to be expensive with no guarantee of an immediate return in revenue, it is important in the modern-day, just as in all business, that clubs set aside some money specifically for marketing.

Targeted marketing and communication can attract new members and retain existing members at your club.

The more people who know about your club, the more opportunities that might come your club’s way. Effective communication means both doing more with less, but also ensuring your messages are being seen and heard by the appropriate audiences.

There are many ways to deliver these messages, including the club website, event presentations, meetings, noticeboards, newsletters, emails, SMS, media releases, local and community newspapers and radio, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other community forums.

The key is for communication to be regular, and not just interacting with your members. Engage with prospective members by ensuring your local community is aware of your club and its activities.

Another important consideration is for the club to meet the needs of all their customers (WHO = members, guests and visitors) by understanding WHAT people want to know about, and the WHEN and HOW they want to receive that information.

This is particularly important when needing to deliver messages to customers about events, competitions, facilities or club announcements.

Create a Facebook page If your club does not have a club Facebook page, you should create one as it can be one of the best marketing assets for the club and requires no financial investment.

If you already have a club Facebook page, you should ensure it is regularly updated as it can be used as a great tool to keep current members not only informed but engaged with the club which helps promote a healthy club community and this ultimately helps maintain a club’s membership base.

BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 7

A good social media strategy can have a positive effect on sales as it increases the overall exposure of your club, and it can help you promote your club’s deals and services to a far wider audience.

Because social media is such an efficient way of connecting with people, you can use social media to conduct market research.

You can conduct surveys or polls which will enable you to find out what service or deal you should be offering next. Take a look at what the bigger and more established clubs are doing on social media as this can be helpful when you plan your strategy.

Planning an open day Take some time to start planning your club’s open day. Here are some suggestions: •

Start organising and planning for your club’s open day ahead of time.

•

While you will not be able to set a date just yet, you can still plan out how the day will proceed and you can work out what kind of budget you want to set aside for the day.

•

Important points to remember •

Encourage your club members to bring their family, friends or work colleagues down. This will guarantee you, participants, on the day.

•

Ensure you do not run your open day for too long. This will give you a better chance to gain more volunteers as they won’t be giving up their whole day. a suitable time during the week could be from 4 pm7 pm or a Sunday could be 11 am- 2 pm.

•

Everyone in attendance is to sign the function sheet. This is how we can communicate to the participants to get them back to the club. Also, this can be used for feedback to gather ideas on what we did well and other areas we can improve on.

•

Encourage members to bring their coloured bowls down for participants to use instead of the 50-year-old sets. This will make it more appealing for the players and at the same time easier to handle the bowls.

•

Make sure all participants don’t go home empty-handed. Develop a club brochure to take home. Other ideas to get them back could include 5% off their next meal at the club, free barefoot bowls, a free drink when next at the club or half-price social membership.

Advertising Online: The cheapest and most effective form of advertising is through targeted paid Facebook advertisements, you can target potentially thousands of people in the local area around your club which will help raise awareness of your event over the space of a week for less than $100.

You can also encourage current members of the club to share the ad on their personal Facebook page for free to help increase the reach of your advert, as well as posting on the club’s page and local community group pages.

Word of mouth and letter drops: Another great way to advertise is through word of mouth, members can invite family members and friends to the event to help boost numbers Letter drops around the neighbourhood and canvassing in high traffic areas also help promote the event when selling the event it is important to let them know there will be free food, music and a relaxed atmosphere (as well as beverages available at your club’s bar if your club has one).

TV/Radio stations and Newspapers: Try and see if you can get a small shout out for free on local media outlets about your day, it’s also a good idea to invite them along to the event as they may come down to cover it as a news story which will help provide the club with extra press and exposure. Get to know the right contact person for your local community newspaper and radio station. Any story you can get about your club is free advertising! You may find the more metropolitan news outlets will be less interested in covering your event, but if you can’t sell the story to them as “local club rallying for community support at a time when many clubs are closing” you may find them to be more receptive. The more compelling and newsworthy your story is the more likely they are to cover the event, phrasing it simply as an “intro to bowls day” will probably result in the outlet not wanting to cover it.

We hope that this has provided some ideas for you to help get your club back on track when the time arises.

8 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

WA’S

Belmont

ENSURES CONNECTION D U R I N G I S O L AT I O N

By Bowls Australia In these difficult times, clubs are searching for ways to engage their members, keep them involved and, most importantly, make sure that when the current restrictions are lifted, all members are well-equipped to return to our great sport.

Some clubs are very active on social media, keeping members informed of the current situation, or simply entertaining them with some fun posts.

Belmont City Bowling Club (Perth, WA) has taken a more traditional approach to communication.

President, Brad Wicks, has been personally calling each and every single member on a weekly basis, simply to check-in and have a chat.

Club Secretary, Bob Tait, said it has been a heart-warming exercise in such distressing times.

“It has really been fantastic for everyone involved,” he said.

“Brad is not only President but also our Greenkeeper. In his shed, he has a list of all our members and their contact details, and is calling up to 15 people a day, just to have a chat, check-in, and generally attempt to brighten their day.”

some would feel very isolated at home with little engagement with the outside world,” he said.

“Unfortunately, many are not tech-savvy, so the use of Zoom, Skype or even social media platforms are just out of their reach.

“I recently bumped into a couple of our older female members who have both been members of our club for over 20 years but have also lost their husbands. They were thrilled to have received just a simple phone call checking in to see how they are going.”

Clubs play a special role in our members’ lives and while, at the moment, we may not be able to see each other face-to-face, the time taken to touch base and give our members that feeling of belonging is vital.

Other clubs have organised meetings via Zoom and Skype etc. to keep their members informed and engaged.

Of course, not everyone will be familiar with these services or even have access to them, but everyone has access to some form of communication that fits their technological understanding.

Tait also stressed the importance of this form of communication to those who were already doing it tough prior to the current circumstances, helping to make them feel connected at a time of isolation.

If you’d like some help getting your head around the communicative services available, get in touch with your local Regional Bowls Manager and they can arrange a time to take you through it.

“We know that many of our members are single, widowed, or simply live alone, and if not for this form of communication,

Contribution by Clive Adams – Regional Bowls Manager (WA – North/East) BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 9

15 ways to get your Bowls fix The Coronavirus will continue to keep our lives on hold until at least June, this will force most of us to stay home, but we can still go some way towards getting our lawn bowls fix.

We’ve put together a list of 15 things to do to help scratch that bowls itch for the time we’re away from the greens.

Tip 1:

Tip 3:

Tip 6:

Roll up virtually - Available on both iPhone and Android operating systems, ‘Virtual Lawn Bowls’ is a free to play video game for your mobile phone. The game allows you to play against a simulated opponent or online against real-life opponents if you think you have the skills to win.

Come up with some bowls jokes - Why not think of a few bowls based side splitters to share on social media!

Read bowls books - Some great reads are Ian Schuback’s ‘Bowls: Biased + Uncensored’, Barry Salter & John Bliss’s ‘The A to Zen of Lawn Bowls’ and Rolled Gold: The Kelvin Kerkow Story.

Tip 4:

Tip 7:

Watch match replays and highlights YouTube is a good source for full-length games, Bowls Australia’s website is another place for highlights and matches and is well worth visiting if you are on the hunt for bowls content.

Create some bowls poetry - Why not try your hand at some witty bowls based poetry to entertain your mates.

Tip 2: Watch bowls films - Mick Molloy’s hit 2002 comedy ‘Crackerjack’ is still good for a few laughs if you’re looking for something to watch. The 2003 film ‘Blackball’ is another bowls based comedy film and stars Paul Kaye, Johnny Vegas and Vince Vaughn, it was never going to receive an Oscar nomination, but if you’re after some cheap laughs it is worth a watch.

10 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

Tip 5: Keep engaged on social media - Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are all great to check out how other players are passing the time and keeping fit.

Tip 8: Listen to some bowls podcasts - There are a couple of great podcasts to listen to, Big Jimmy Anderson’s podcast has had many guests including Rob Parella, Kelsey Cottrell and Shannon Mcilroy and is well worth a listen. BA’s Without Bias radio program is available on the Bowls Australia website and has interviewed some of the best bowlers in the country, they share some insights into the sport as well as some fun anecdotes.

Tip 9: Watch the bowls show - SBS’s ‘The Bowls Show’ regularly features some of the biggest names in the sport. With regular segments on coaching, development, officiating, high performance, and social bowls all incorporated in the program, it is a must-watch for bowls fanatics.

Tip 10: Create your fantasy team - Who would you pick for your ultimate fours team? Draft your fantasy team and compare it to your friends to see who would come out on top in an imaginary bout.

Tip 11: Experiment with trick shots - Take part in Bowls Australia’s Trick Shot Challenge, there have been some great shots sent in already, see if you have the creativity and skill to devise the ultimate trick shot! Check out some of the great entries already submitted on BA’s Facebook page.

Tip 12: Study the game - Study the laws of the game to become an expert, while we all would like to think we are already experts, brushing up on our knowledge of the game can never hurt.

Tip 13: Transform your garden into a green - If you have the space available, you could turn your garden into your own private top tier green.

Tip 14: Organise your medals - Do you have trophies and medals lying about in an old box somewhere? Why not rearrange your awards in a trophy cabinet so you can proudly display your achievements!

Tip 15: Support your local bowls business - Have you been thinking about getting a new bowls bag, some new shows or getting your bowls tested? Now is the time to do it! Small businesses will be doing it tough with reduced trade due to the bowls clubs being closed, support your local bowls business and take advantage of some of the great online deals.

BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 11

Meet Paul

Story by Brian Kearney, Nicola Baldwin and Bowls VIC Paul Kearney started his bowls journey in his 20s after having to face the fact he wasn’t likely to ever “cut it” as a golfer, footballer or cricketer!

With his dad Brian joining in, they learned the intricacies of the game from the great members at Mulgrave Country Club.

At the time Paul was working as a gardener at Springvale Crematorium and he enjoyed being able to socialise at the bowls club.

Paul moved to Moama, on the border between Victoria and New South Wales in 1994, just as his bowls was taking off.

Echuca-Moama has provided Paul with a strong bowls community, where the warm sunny climate and busy bowls event calendar has kept him active.

He has been a member at both Rich River Bowls Club and Mathoura Bowls Club.

He won Club Championship Pairs at Rich River with his dad Brian, and again with his dad at Mathoura in 2011/20112. He won again at Mathoura in 2013/2014 with Mick Toll.

Paul established a particularly special bond with state bowler Geoff Cameron, and sometimes joined in the sessions when Geoff was coaching National Champion Clare Duke, also from Moama.

This year, he made it through to quarter finals in Pairs at Rich River but the season is currently on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staying home is not Paul’s cup of tea!

12 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

Paul Kearney

It’s lucky Paul has last year’s Multi Bowl Nationals to reflect on. Prior to 2019, despite his lifelong disability, Paul had never participated in any disability sports. In his younger years, he was determined to compete in mainstream, and did not identify as disabled. After being approached by a local bowler Barry Brennan to join the trials, Paul decided that he would give it a go. Perhaps being older and wiser, he finally realised that the standard of competition was high. He was selected in the Victorian State team in class B6.

He had the most fabulous week in Mackay with the team and was widely admired for his contagious smile. Paul won a bronze medal in the Triples and a gold medal in the Pairs with his partner Lucas Protopapas. The gold medal final went down to the last end against the Queensland team. Paul was particularly proud that he managed to hold his nerve under pressure, because his cerebral palsy has always made that challenging. Now he is hooked, and he hopes one day there will be more disability events for him to compete in.

The social connections bowls has created are by far the best part for Paul.

“I just love the fr iendly competit ion and the fun I have on th e green”, he said .

For the last 15 years, Paul ha s spent the winte r months on the Gold Coast, where he plays at Tugun Bowls Club. He is well known there, an d members look forward to him turning up w ith a big smile. Last year he introduced hi s 16-year-old nephew, Angus to the club. They played social pairs together an d didn’t stop laug hing.

Paul Kearney BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 13

Queensland Multi-Disability Championships Blind Bowlers Women’s Singles Winner - Joy Forster & director Bruce Jones

VA L E : J O Y F O R S T E R

By Aidan Davis Bowls Australia (BA) was saddened to hear of the recent passing of former Commonwealth Games para-sport competitor Joy Forster.

Forster competed at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games in the vision-impaired mixed pairs discipline, at the age of 64, where she secured a bronze medal alongside her vision-director Bruce Jones.

A beloved member of Queensland’s Chermside Bowls Club, Forster also enjoyed success at the International Blind Bowls Association’s World Championships, having secured a monumental threepeat in the blue-ribbon B2 women’s singles discipline, with gold medal victories in Melbourne 2009, England 2013 and South Africa 2017.

Forster was recognised as the joint-winner of Bowls Queensland’s Bowler with a Disability of the Year award in 2013.

Despite only taking up the sport in her 50s, Forster claimed to be a lifelong fan of bowls, enjoying the television broadcasts long before realising her success on the world stage.

BA’s Board and staff extend their condolences to Joy Forster’s family and friends.

14 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

T H E B OW L S B U G B ITES PAT! Patrick Walters enjoys reading a back issue of Bowls Plus after the bowls’ bug bit when he played some social bowls at Grange Bowls Club in Brisbane. “I didn’t realise bowls could be such fun,” he said.

Winter Soups

Pumpkin Soup Ingredients •

750 g jap pumpkin diced

•

250 g potatoes diced

•

2 onions diced medium

•

3 chicken stock cubes crumbled

•

3 1/2 cups water

•

250 ml thickened cream

•

1 pinch salt and pepper *to taste

Method: 1.

Place all ingredients, except the cream, into a large saucepan.

2.

Simmer until vegetables are tender.

3.

Remove from heat.

4.

Blend with a stick blender until smooth.

5.

Add cream and stir through (do not boil after adding cream).

6.

Season to taste.

Cream of Chicken Soup Ingredients: •

1/2 cup unsalted butter

•

1 bay leaf

•

1 medium Spanish onion

•

2 3/4 cups cooked diced chicken

•

2 stalks celery (with leaves)

•

1/2 cup heavy cream

•

3 medium carrots

•

1 teaspoons dry sherry

•

1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon flour

•

1 tablespoon kosher salt

•

7 cups chicken broth

•

•

3 sprigs parsley

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

•

3 sprigs fresh thyme

•

2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

Method: 1.

16 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

Melt the butter in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, and carrots and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 12 minutes.

2.

Add the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 2 minutes more.

3.

Pour in the broth and bring to a boil while whisking constantly.

4.

Tie the parsley sprigs, thyme, and bay leaf together with a piece of kitchen twine and add to the soup.

5.

Lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.

6.

Stir in the chicken and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat.

7.

Whisk the heavy cream, sherry, and salt into the soup and season with pepper to taste. Remove and discard the herb bundle.

8.

Divide among soup bowls, sprinkle the top of each soup with the chopped parsley and serve immediately.

Minestrone Soup Ingredients:

Method:

•

1 clove of garlic

1.

•

1 red onion

Finely chop garlic and onion. Chop the carrots, celery and courgette, then add the vegetables to a large bowl.

•

2 carrots

2.

Cut the ends off the leek, quarter it lengthways, wash it under running water, then cut into 1cm slices. Add to the bowl.

•

2 sticks of celery

3.

Scrub and dice the potato. Drain the cannellini beans, then set aside.

•

1 courgette

4.

Finely slice the bacon.

•

1 small leek

5.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the bacon and fry gently for 2 minutes, or until golden.

•

1 large potato

6.

•

1 x 400 g tin of cannellini beans

Add the garlic, onion, carrots, celery, courgette, leek, oregano and bay and cook slowly for about 15 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened, stirring occasionally.

•

2 rashers of higher-welfare smoked streaky bacon

7.

•

olive oil

Add the potato, cannellini beans and plum tomatoes, then pour in the vegetable stock. Stir well, breaking up the tomatoes with the back of a spoon.

•

½ teaspoon dried oregano

8.

•

1 fresh bay leaf

Cover with a lid and bring everything slowly to the boil, then simmer for about 30 minutes, or until the potato is cooked through. Meanwhile...

•

2 x 400 g tins of plum tomatoes

9.

Remove and discard any tough stalks bits from the greens, then roughly chop.

•

1 litre organic vegetable stock

•

1 large handful of seasonal greens , such as savoy cabbage, curly kale, chard

•

100 g wholemeal pasta

•

½ a bunch of fresh basil , optional

•

Parmesan cheese

10. Using a rolling pin, bash the pasta into pieces while it’s still in the packet or wrap in a clean tea towel.

11. To check the potato is cooked, pierce a chunk of it with a sharp knife – if it pierces easily, it’s done.

12. Add the greens and pasta to the pan, and cook for a further 10 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. This translates as ‘to the tooth’ and means that it should be soft enough to eat, but still have a bit of a bite and firmness to it.

Try some just before the time is up to make sure you cook it perfectly.

13. Add a splash more stock or water to loosen, if needed.

BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 17

RELAXED COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS ON BOWLS CONFIRMED

By Bowls Australia

State-specific

25 May 2020: In lieu of recent announcements made by the State and Federal Governments in providing the pathway for a safer return to sport, Bowls Australia (BA) has prepared a set of national guidelines for clubs and participants to follow during this transitional period.

VIC – Practice only, no social play or competition.

QLD – Practice only, no social play or competition.

NSW – Practice only, no social play or competition.

BA acknowledges the authority of the State and Territory Associations (STAs) to follow the advice and decisions of their respective Governments in regard to the use of bowls facilities.

Subject to the state-specific social gathering and distancing restrictions, up to four people are allowed to play together and the 1.5m social distancing rule is to be observed at all times. There must be one rink space (an empty rink) between each rink in use.

Transitional Guidelines for Clubs & Participants

VIC – 1.5m space between each rink

These guidelines are currently effective for all states and territories, however, BA advises all clubs and participants to additionally refer to the advice from their relevant STA. A breakdown by STA can be found here.

A maximum of 10 people allowed per green at any one time. Clubs may need to have a booking system in place to facilitate. Clubs with more than one green need to ensure that compliance is achieved with respect to social distancing restrictions.

Clubs The responsibility lies with individual clubs to ensure that they are fully aware of and compliant with their own State or Territory Government and STA advice, and all of these guidelines are adhered to and engage any staffing/volunteers required as necessary to fulfil the guidelines.

-Hand sanitiser is to be made available at the entrance to the club and beside each green in use.

-Disinfectant spray must be made available beside mat/jack boxes.

After each use, all mats and jacks must be thoroughly cleaned before being used again.

-Any club bowls that are loaned to players are to be thoroughly cleaned before and after use.

-Clubs may need to implement a booking system to facilitate rink bookings, to conform with guidelines. Best practice is that a register of attendees is kept, just in case a communicable illness were to occur.

WA – Limit of 20 people per green.

NT – Advise groups of 10 but can be larger if physical distancing is maintained.

-All players are to use separate mats and jacks (or ensure that the same player on each rink places mats or places/rolls jacks).

-Other bowls equipment cannot be shared between players (e.g. bowls, cloths, measures etc).

-Disinfectant spray must be made available beside mat/jack boxes and between each use, all mats and jacks must be thoroughly cleaned by players.

-Players should practice safe hygiene at all times, including washing hands for at least 20 seconds before and after bowls.

-Individuals must leave the premises immediately after the conclusion of play and cleaning of equipment.

-Coaching should be limited to no more than a coach and two other people at the time and all practicing physical distancing of 1.5m during the coaching session.

-No indoor club meetings are to occur at this stage (except in WA and SA). -Any meetings held on the club premises should be held outdoors, employ physical distancing of 1.5m and be limited to the number of people determined by state-specific social gathering limits. Individuals should leave the premises immediately after the conclusion of meetings.

-No barefoot bowls activity.

-Where possible, outdoor-accessible toilets should be open. At the very least, hand washing facilities should be available.

States and territories will also determine progression through the phases, taking account of local epidemiology, risk mitigation strategies and public health capability.

-No barefoot bowls groups to be hosted at this stage.

Bowls Activity As long as the following guidelines are adhered to, bowls activity can include practice and/or roll-ups, social play and smaller club competitions (e.g. singles and pairs events) on outdoor greens only.

There is to be no play on indoor greens (except in WA).

18 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

-STA Guidelines The states and territories will continue to be responsible for decisions around local restrictions, including those related to sport and recreation resumption, at all levels.

All STAs and their affiliated clubs must also give absolute priority to the safety and well-being of participants, especially for those over 60-years of age.

People at a higher risk of severe illness (those aged over 70 and/or those with chronic medical conditions or compromised immune systems) are encouraged to remain at home whenever possible.

Jack aroos

RETAINED FOR 2021 WORLD BOWLS CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Bowls Australia

Bowls Australia (BA) selectors have confirmed the 10-strong contingent originally selected to represent Australia at this year’s postponed World Bowls Championships will remain the same when the event is staged in 2021.

As a result of the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic, the World Bowls Championships, which were set to be staged on the Gold Coast, Queensland, from May 26 to June 7, have been moved to May 25 to June 6, 2021.

Additionally, Genevieve Delves and Robert Briglia will also represent Australia (as planned) at the 2021 World Indoor Bowls Championships. The 2020 event, due to be staged this month, has also been postponed.

2021 World Bowls Championships May 25 – June 6, 2021 Gold Coast, QLD, Australia Broadbeach, Helensvale & Musgrave Hill BCiB Australian Jackaroos Women: Kelsey Cottrell (29, St Johns Park, NSW) Lynsey Clarke (36, Club Helensvale, QLD) Ellen Ryan (23, Cabramatta, NSW) Natasha Scott (29, Raymond Terrace, NSW) Rebecca Van Asch (32, Invermay, TAS) Singles: Kelsey Cottrell Pairs: Lynsey Clarke, Kelsey Cottrell Triples: Ellen Ryan, Natasha Scott, Rebecca Van Asch Fours: Ellen Ryan, Lynsey Clarke, Rebecca Van Asch, Natasha Scott Men: Aaron Wilson (28, Cabramatta, NSW) Corey Wedlock (23, Warilla, NSW) Barrie Lester (38, Burleigh Heads, QLD) Aaron Teys (26, Warilla, NSW) Aron Sherriff (34, Club Helensvale, QLD) Singles: Aaron Wilson Pairs: Corey Wedlock, Aaron Wilson Triples: Barrie Lester, Aaron Teys, Aron Sherriff Fours: Barrie Lester, Aaron Teys, Corey Wedlock, Aron Sherriff * ages at time of publishing.

BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 19

Warming up to the benefits of stretching ARE YOU STRETCHING BEFORE GAMES?

While bowls may be a low impact sport, players can still benefit greatly from stretching before a roll up.

Professor Tony Blazevich from Edith Cowan University’s School of Medical and Health Sciences in Western Australia says while stretching may not benefit the physical performance of elite athletes while playing it will help reduce the possibility of injury.

“The implementation of a stretching program will improve hip, knee and ankle mobility which helps provide a range of motion in players, which will allow them to move into the bowling position with more balance,” Professor Blazevich said.

“When flexibility is a problem, many bowlers tend to tilt their body a little to one side, reducing balance during the release phase.

“So flexibility is very important as well as being useful in daily life too!

“As far as stretching before bowls, I think it can also be useful as we age because we become stiffer due to the way our connective tissues change.

“Doing some stretching in the period before play perhaps just before the warm-up will acutely improve flexibility.

“In a low intensity game like lawn bowls, I’d expect five to 10 minutes of muscle stretching before play as well as in separate sessions outside of play to be of benefit to most players, both in the game and outside it.”

Professor Blazevich says his study of 20 athletes compared their running speed, agility and vertical jump height following a comprehensive warm-up that included different types of muscle stretching and they found that while the research indicated there were no performance benefits, athletes reported that they felt more prepared and confident after the warm-up.

“The perception of freedom of movement and this psychological effect can’t be understated,” he said.

“For this reason, static stretching may be a good idea before sports participation.

“And our results show that dynamic stretching can also be incorporated into a warm up without compromising their performance on the field, but it also doesn’t improve it in the way many thought.”

20 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

THORNBURY:

By Clare Hockey (Bowls VIC)

AN UNUSUAL BOWLING CLUB IN SOUTHLAND Drive west along New Zealand’s state highway from Invercargill to Riverton, and you’ll pass by the turnoff to the settlement of Thornbury.

One kilometre off the highway, Thornbury is a humble collection of buildings and houses… a pub that’s been closed for a few years, a fire station that’s only been open a year, and a bowling club that’s been open for 70 years – since 1949.

Thornbury is a typical rural South Island bowling club, it is a one-grass-green club with a pavilion catering to the lawn bowls inclinations of a modest number of farmers and retirees in the district.

Only one member, Neville Hancox the Greenkeeper, lives ‘in town’ – next door to the club where he can keep his eye on any leaf of cotula or blade of maniototo that gets out of place.

Neville is also responsible for a highly unusual feature of the club – ‘the Shed’.

The Shed is an indoor-outdoor bowling rink.

“Shortly after the club was established, an old house was dismantled and moved here from up the road,” says Club Vice-President and veteran club member for 32 years, Keith Watkinson. “It was reconfigured as a 60-foot long alleyway with an old pot belly and kitchen at the rear. And the club started using it for bowls over winter, every night seven nights a week. It was hugely popular. People came from miles around to play winter night bowls.”

the council constructed memorial gates to the entrance of the reserve commemorating the fallen locals, which subsequently became the entrance to the new bowling club.

“We finished second in the Central-Western Division of the Centre championship,” says Jocelyn proudly. “And the men finished third.

That’s not a bad result in a field of 13 teams.”

“Every year, we have an ANZAC commemoration at the Great War memorial down the road,” says Keith. “Then walk up here to remember World War 2.”

The secret may be the date scones powering the Thornbury players.

That annual remembrance (and perhaps also unusually!) is unlikely to be followed by any comforting cheer… at least at the Thornbury Bowling Club.

“We used to have a liquor licence covered by the pub down the road,“ says Club President Jocelyn Dobson. “But when that closed, we decided it was too hard to get our own permanent licence.

So we apply for special licences every year instead. This year we applied and got a licence for 6 playing days and 2 special event days. Any other day, you need to bring your own!”

Despite all this unusualness, it hasn’t affected the quality of the bowls at the club of 14 full-playing men and 11 full-playing woman members.

“Jocelyn’s date scones are legendary throughout Southland,” says Keith.

“Thornbury is also renowned for the homemade food plentifully served at its tournaments. In particular, we put on a great mouse-trap – with bacon, cheese and pickle!”

For a small, unusual club, Thornbury is in particularly good health.

“The Thornbury Vintage Club had a hay and balage sale the other day,” says Jocelyn, “and they shared the sale proceeds with us. It was a great fundraiser to keep us going for the year.”

Make a point of dropping by Thornbury next time you’re in the deep south of New Zealand!

“Originally, the rink had a cotula surface,” laughs Keith. “But they soon realised they were on a hiding to nothing trying to keep cotula alive in a dark, windowless environment. So they put down a tar and rubber chip surface.

That didn’t prove very satisfactory either, so it was overlaid with a mat, and then 20 years ago further overlaid with the carpet you see today.”

“It’s still used for our winter outdoors bowls programme today. We get 10 teams playing three nights a week.”

But ‘the Shed’ isn’t the only thing unusual about Thornbury.

The land on which the club was built was originally the local sale yards and was donated to the council for a reserve. After the war, BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 21

C A R AVA N ADV ENT URE

Looking to get out of the house?

While it may be infeasible to travel internationally in the short term, as the Coronavirus restrictions continue to ease across the country domestic travel will be very much in vogue once again as people opt for interstate travel over an overseas getaway.

Camping and caravanning is touted to thrive once restrictions are eased, as it is a lower-cost alternative that enables people to holiday on a smaller budget.

According to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, there are over 710,000 registered RV’s waiting to holiday and stimulate the market.

“With over 18 million Australians indicating they are connected to the caravan and camping lifestyle, this presents an unrivalled opportunity to be active in the market quickly as soon as the time is right,” the Caravan Industry Association of Australia said.

“The potential of the camping sector with its significant interest and audiences puts it uniquely suited to stimulate domestic tourism and provide a lifeline to the thousands of tourism businesses eagerly awaiting a return to business.”

With this in mind we’ve compiled a list of great spots that will cater to both bowlers and non-bowlers, not only are these fantastic spots for a holiday but they are areas where local businesses will be in need of the trade after a tough few months.

Queensland - Townsville: Northern Queensland’s often-overlooked major city Townsville’s is one of the state’s best looking cities and features an endless esplanade which looks out over the fabulous Magnetic Island. Townsville is a pedestrian-friendly city that offers refurbished 19th-century buildings along with loads of landmarks including a brilliant museum and aquarium. If in doubt, join the throngs of the fit and fabulous marching up bright red Castle Hill to gaze across the city.

Townsville is also home to a number of well-respected bowls clubs who are more than happy to cater for visitors looking to play social games on their wellmaintained greens.

With a large number of campsites, Townsville provides plenty of options to choose from and can cater to every travelling bowlers’ needs.

New South Wales - Merimbula: After seeing the coastline for the first time, early European explorer, Jules Sébastien César Dumont d’Urville (1790 – 1842), called it “the Coast of Sapphire”.

The Sapphire Coast is undoubtedly spectacular and at the heart of the coast sits Merimbula, the enchanting seaside town offers rugged ocean beaches and tranquil coastal lakes. Wonderful things to do and see include a range of water sports, whale watching, exploring the aquarium and wildlife sanctuary, and tasting the divine local seafood.

Merimbula is derived from a local Aboriginal word meaning ‘two lakes’, a reference to Merimbula Lake on the southern side of the town and the smaller Back Lake on the northern side. These calm waterways on Australia’s Oyster Coast are popular with adventurous types who like to sail, kayak and stand-up paddleboard.

Beaches are also a major attraction. Surfers enjoy the 6km Merimbula Main Beach – when the swell is pumping, the sandbank at the northern end of Main Beach creates a good break. Short Point has consistent surf and milliondollar views. Bar Beach is great for snorkelling, and shallow Spencer Park Beach and playground is ideal for families.

Merimbula’s also home to Club Sapphire, one of the region’s preeminent clubs. Club Sapphire boasts an impressive undercover green, highquality restaurant food and four bars, the club was the venue of choice for last year’s Australian Championships.

The region has several campsites, including free public sites for those on a budget.

22 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

South Australia - Port Lincoln: The Eyre Peninsula boasts fantastic food and wine, luxury accommodation and abundant wildlife, but it’s best known for its world-famous aquatic activities. In Port Lincoln, you can hop aboard a shark cage dive or swim and play with sea lions off the coast. Watch whales and their calves frolic under towering, wave-ravaged cliffs. Dubbed the seafood capital of Australia, Port Lincoln is renowned for its local legendary oysters and freshly-caught seafood at the local fishmongers, you can wash it all down with some drinks at the region’s signature wineries.

With many great bowls clubs on the peninsula, bowlers will be spoilt for choice, the Coffin Bay Sporting Club is a great one to visit and is located just a short drive away from Port Lincoln. Nestled at the foot of the sandhills, the club features a 9 hole golf course with greens, synthetic bowling green and pool tables. The clubrooms provide a picturesque outlook, great atmosphere to meet with friends or chat with the locals over a drink.

With more than 20 idyllic camping spots up and down the peninsula, travellers will have plenty of options on hand.

Victoria - Warrnambool: Warrnambool is a picturesque seaside town based in a region famous for budding a number of sporting stars including golfer Marc Leishman and some AFL footballers. Its main beach, the sandy Bathing Beach, runs in front of vast Lake Pertobe Adventure Park. The nearby Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village explores the area’s seafaring history through a large shipwreck collection. There’s also Thunder Point Coastal Reserve, with its rocky ocean scenery, encompasses Shelly Beach and to the East is Logans Beach Whale Watching Platform.

Located 200 metres from the main beach and camping grounds is the Warrnambool Bowls Club, open seven days a week to cater for all your needs while offering two all-year-round grass greens. Join in the fun during the club’s social bowls on Wednesdays and Fridays. Also in this great town is Warrnambool City Memorial, which boasts four synthetic greens with a very popular offering for visitors of $5 green fees plus a $3 voucher to use at the club cafe or bar!

Western Australia - Rottnest Island: Rottnest Island is Western Australia’s very own Island getaway, featuring a casual atmosphere, picturesque scenery and some of the world’s finest beaches and bays, is located just 19 kilometres off the coast of Fremantle.

It’s a special place for Western Australians and a popular destination for interstate and international visitors. Mediterranean-style climate and the range of flora and fauna on this island provides the backdrop to a special holiday experience.

Rottnest Island is probably best known for its residents, the quokkas, due to the lack of predators and the availability of food on Rottnest Island, population numbers of the teddy bear-like marsupial have soared to approximately 12,000. The quokkas have massively helped boost tourism to the island. Besides the fauna, the island also has the Rottnest Island Country Club which is home to a full-sized synthetic green.

While you won’t be able to take a campervan or caravan over to the island, there are plenty of campsites available near the ferry departure terminals for the island.

BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 23

Who’s responsible?

Story by John Roberts (Bowls VIC) Throughout the past season, I have observed and been informed of situations where bowlers and or spectators have behaved in unacceptable ways, where responsibilities that come with a role have been either ignored or not exercised. Overall, the game is in good shape but there have been too many disturbing events that do not show our great sport as the great spectacle it is. It can be a matter of how someone speaks to a fellow club member, to major events that have resulted in significant suspensions at Club, State and National level. Is there something we can ALL do in our respective roles to perhaps limit impact or diffuse these incidents? I believe so.

Some recent examples: A player reprimanded (berated) an opposition player for updating the scoreboard, where they were abruptly told, “that’s not your job”. Domestic Regulation (DR) 3.1 states the scoreboard may be updated at any time by any person. Even if the opposition player had made an error it is the way we speak to each other that is of paramount importance.

Umpires demanding that players stand on the bank while they measure for shot. While the umpire is entitled to have space to not feel threatened or not be impeded in their role, there is no such law.

Interruptions v Stoppages. When a stoppage occurs, the managers and umpires should get 24 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

together and agree whether it is an interruption or a stoppage. The umpire then can confirm if it is an interruption (Law 33) or stoppage, (Law 32.2). This should avoid issues around continuing ends or declaring the last end dead. If the side managers cannot agree the umpire must make the decision.

A serious scenario where a player or players during a pennant game are using totally inappropriate language and have eventually come into physical contact with each other.

When something happens, for whatever reason the Umpire of the day does not act or is so intimidated by what is occurring that they choose not to intervene.

Who is responsible for managing this? My experiences suggest that the most hostile of situations will diffuse relatively quickly if the Umpire of the day, the side managers and the skips intervene and call the behaviour for what it is – totally unacceptable. This is the time when we ALL need to step up. Side managers need to take charge of their troops, skips need to simply step up to diffuse. Club leaders need to show leadership.

This is the crucial time when people’s roles become an integral part of ensuring things do not escalate.

There are many roles played out within a bowls club, within a game of bowls and amongst the many social interactions that occur in and outside the clubhouse. Many roles come with rights and rights come with responsibilities. What are you responsible for?

There are the Laws of the Sport, controlling bodies, conditions of play, club constitutions, regulations, schedules, planning documents, committee meetings, codes of conduct and individual behaviours which should all interact and interweave to provide an environment for competitive games, good company and a happy space.

Roles within a club will include the Coach, the Umpire, the Side Manager, the Players, the Skip, the President, the Selectors, the Committee, the many volunteers, the passionate supporters and the Greens Director.

Each plays an integral part in making a club successful and hopefully nurturing an environment where all club members feel valued, respected, happy and safe.

Key Roles on Game Day: Controlling Bodies – at various levels controlling bodies set regulations, and may be called upon to invoke disciplinary procedures for serious incidents; Club Officials – are responsible for the overall running of the club, and will be aware of national and State policies club constitutions, club by-laws and other requirements such as venue licensing and the club’s policy on smoking. The president or nominated representative on the day should be ready to play their part should an incident occur where they can provide leadership in resolving the issue; Greens Director – responsibility to make all managers aware of who the greens director is should a decision on continuing or suspending play based on the condition of the green(s) be required; Umpires – the umpire(s) or measurers of the day should be nominated and made known to all managers and players. The duties of an umpire are set out in Law 43.2, where Law 43.2.5 states the umpire must make sure that all aspects of play are

in line with the Laws of the Sport. Remembering the umpire’s decision is final in all circumstances except those relating to the meaning or interpretation of a law, Law 43.2.6.

Managers – managers are responsible for their respective teams. As well as looking after the administrative parts of a game, they should be leaders who can effectively manage their team with skips and players should an incident escalate; Coach – The role of the Coach is covered by Law 44. The important aspects include the umpires being informed of the names of the coach or their delegate at an before the game starts Law 44.1. Any advice given can only occur when their team or side is in possession of the rink Law 44.3 and the person giving the advice must do so from outside the boundaries of the green, Law 44.4.

Spectators (Law 45)– Spectators and anyone else not directly taking part in the game must stay outside the boundaries of the green and not disturb or advise the players in any way. Under Law 45.4, the umpire can take action should spectators act in contravention of this law. If the spectators do not respond to the Umpire’s requests, the controlling body needs to be informed so they can take action and manage the concerning behaviour.

All officials should have an inclusive approach and style. Officials need to be able to relate to all participants regardless of age, ability, and degrees of involvement in the game. This would include spectators, other officials and organising bodies.

(Page 71, BA Officiating Manual. 2019.)Many incidents occur because players simply do not know the laws of the sport, or persons claim to know but in fact, often confuse etiquette (or “That’s what we have always done”.) with correct procedure and processes.

The Laws of the Sport refer to defaulting players, teams, and sides (C2) as not meeting the requirements of any specific law or laws. C10 refers to forfeiting a game to an opponent as a penalty for the defaulting player, team or side not following the laws.

Basically, going outside the laws of the sport can result in a forfeit. What can the umpire do?

If there is a disturbance umpires need to take the players aside to discuss the situation thus eliminating the small number of other players who often want to become involved: BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 25

Umpires need to ensure they speak to players calmly and respectfully remembering that the best umpires are authoritative and not authoritarian.

The best umpires diffuse and not inflame.

Interpersonal skills are crucial.

Sometimes players (and or side mangers) just need one warning particularly regarding offensive language, smoking, or using mobile phones on the greens. In a tight moment of the game where everyone is keen and tense, it is not difficult to express disappointment using an unacceptable expletive. Sometimes in the vagueness of the moment, people just forget. A gentle reminder is usually enough. Repeat the same offence and an instantaneous penalty should be applied, as set out in the Conditions of Play for Metropolitan and Region/Division Pennant.

Instantaneous Penalty: If the umpire of the day by their observation or on appeal by the Controlling Body, a Side Manager, a Skip or an opponent decides that a player is non-compliant then the end shall be immediately regarded as completed and the opponent of the offender shall be awarded as many shots as there are bowls in use by the opponents.

On the second offence by the same player in the same game, the player shall be excluded from taking any further part in the game. No replacement player or substitute would be allowed in his/her team. In a team game the defaulting team will forfeit the game to their opponent.

Game over!

All umpires need to know is that they can invoke the Instantaneous Penalties Policy and would have the full backing of Bowls Victoria and Bowls Australia in doing so. If Umpires invoke the instantaneous penalty, they need to inform BV in writing what occurred. BV has a set of disciplinary guidelines which involves the formation of a committee to deal with allegations and when appropriate issue penalties.

26 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

Serious offences may also be subjected to police action – a decision that should be made in consultation with the venue manager and the controlling body. Any individuals can report matters to the police as they see fit.

If the appointed umpire of the day takes no action, what next? Can other accredited umpires (not appointed) who are present do anything? Could the President (or their nominee) of the club do anything here? Should the player’s team members say something? The answer is simply YES. If you have the skills be proactive. This is the time when we ask people to step up and show leadership.

Behaviour unchallenged remains unchanged. Prompt action could result in less impact on the game, and ultimately reduce possible disciplinary penalties or even a game forfeiture.

Take your designated role carefully as you may be held accountable for your lack of action.

In most sporting environments the potential for conflict can be present. What is important is how we diffuse potential escalating situations. Effective communication is essential in managing any situation, particularly escalating conflict.

Listening, interpreting, and responding appropriately is crucial. What is important is to act quickly, be fair and consistent, be definite and firm, keep cool, do not take things personally and give instructions in the form of choices or options.

(Page 76, BA Officiating Manual, May 2019).

In whatever role you have at your club think about how you go about your involvement. Be respectful of each other and enjoy our great game. If a conflict arises it is important to attempt to resolve it promptly without fear or favour. Follow the processes in place, know your own skills sets, understand your club’s expectations around behaviour and wear your club shirt with pride.

Enjoy our great game, hopefully, sooner rather than later.

ROLL UP MOVES INTO ITS SECOND YEAR Story by Clare Hockey (Bowls VIC) Bowls Victoria’s Roll Up program is moving into its second year of existence in 2020.

Thus far, we have seen 12 Hub clubs run programs across the state and we have engaged with over 100 participants.

Flemington Kensington Bowls Club was one of the first clubs in 2019 to pilot the program. Peter Clifford, the program deliverer at Flem Ken and a valued member of the club, first saw the program on the Bowls Victoria website and thought Roll Up was an ideal program for the club to take on board. Apart from Peter running programs with local schools in the area, the club didn’t have any juniors and thought Roll Up would be a great way to attract them.

“In the first week, we had a total of 5 kids. This has now increased to a total of 15 registered participants and 12 that now attend regularly. We handed out flyers at community festivals, to local schools and church groups. Clare from Bowls Victoria has been amazing, from turning up on day one to continually dropping in. Roll Up would never have happened without the support from BV”.

Costs, time constraints and lack of confidence are all factors that make participating in a physical activity program difficult for a person aged 17 years or under. Roll Up aims to eliminate these barriers by providing a free or low-cost option, sessions are scheduled once a week for 4-6 weeks after school for

approximately 1 hour and sessions focus on having fun and skill development to build confidence in playing lawn bowls and trying something different.

As part of the program and registration process, participants are required to complete pre and post-program surveys. Bowls Victoria, VicHealth and Latrobe University use this data to analyse physical activity attitudes and trends. So far, results have shown a 78% increase in participants’ confidence in playing bowls post the Roll Up program and 97% of participants and parents would recommend the program to their friends and family.

“I run my sessions by starting off doing drills and practising the skills we have tried to teach them over the weeks. We always finish off with a competitive game. We aren’t just walking up and down drawing to a jack, we keep it interesting by playing modified bowls games,” Peter says.

“It gives me a great deal of pride to be able to deliver this program and watch them develop all the skills necessary to plays bowls. If you’re a club wanting to become a hub club, my advice is just to do it. It’s a great introduction to the game. Also, remember that most kids have two parents, guardians or grandparents and it’s a good way to introduce them to our great game as well.”

If your club is interested in becoming a hub club or simply just wants more information on Roll Up, please email Roll Up program coordinator Clare, at clareh@bowlsvic.org.au

BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 27

T H I N K YO U K N OW As lawn bowlers we think we know everything, but how often is our bowls knowledge put to the test? We’ve created a lawn bowls quiz to get your brain whirring, see if you can correctly answer all of the questions below!

1. Which famous sailor was

2. What is the name of

3. Which player has

4. Where were the 2008

5. Potters Leisure Resort

6. Which film directed

7. Which major US city

8. Which member of

9. Which Australian

10. The annual Golden

11. Which bowler took

12. ‘Lurch’ is the nick-

13. The standard length

14. What is the name of

15. Which bowler has

16. What was the name

17. Which Australian

18. Which Jackaroo has

said to be playing bowls at the time of being informed of an impending attack?

outdoor World Bowls Championships held?

is home to Bowling Green Park?

Nugget competition is played at which bowls club?

of a lawn bowling green should be between how many metres?

of Jack Simpson’s special move in the film Cracker Jack?

28 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

the oldest bowls club in Australia?

is a famous bowling venue in which country?

the Australian Jackaroos is also a State CEO?

off their shirt following their Commonwealth Games win in 2006?

Australia’s most northern bowls club?

actor played Stan Coombs in Cracker Jack?

won the most World Indoor Championships titles?

by Mel Smith and released in 2003 is all about lawn bowls?

bowls club has a gorilla as their mascot?

name of which well known Australian bowler?

had the highest number of international appearances for Australia?

their own brand of wines?

YO U R S T U F F ?

19. Who is the youngest

20. Who was Australia’s

21. The world’s oldest

22. In what year was

23. In the 2018

24. What is the

25. Bowls Australia’s

26. Paul Foster is an

27. Who was the 2019

28. Who was the winner

29. Bowls Australia

30. The World Outdoor

Jackaroo on the current team?

first bowler to be titled world number one in men’s singles?

Bowls Australia formed?

Commonwealth Games, how many gold medals did the Australian bowlers win?

head office is located in which city?

international bowler from which country?

of the 2018 Commonwealth Games Women’s Singles gold?

was originally known as what before it changed its name?

surviving bowling green is located in which city?

minimum length a jack can be rolled?

Australian Open Women’s Singles winner?

Bowls Championships were first held in which year?

Answers: 1. Sir Francis Drake 2. Melbourne Bowling Club 3. Alex Marshall 4. Burnside Bowling Club in Christchurch, NZ 5. England 6. Blackball 7. New York City 8. Rebecca Van Asch 9. Warilla Bowls & Recreation Club 10. Tweed Heads Bowls Club BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 29

11. Kelvin Kerkow 12. Nathan Rice 13. Must be between 31 metres and 40 metres 14. Thursday Island Bowls Club 15. Karen Murphy 16. The ‘Flipper’ 17. Bill Hunter 18. Barrie Lester 19. Ellen Ryan 20. Steve Glasson

21. Southampton, England 22. 1911 23. Five 24. 21 metres 25. Melbourne 26. Scotland 27. Natasha Scott 28. Jo Edwards 29. Australian Bowling Council 30. 1966

“One thing more—Goodbye” Name: Athol Snook Date: 1942 Unit: 100 Squadron RAAF Location: New Guinea Flying Officer Athol Snook was a survivor. In 1942, he spent 47 days at sea in a lifeboat sailing from Java to Australia with 11 comrades to escape from the Japanese. Then, on a fateful night in New Guinea later that year, his plane was grounded while the rest of the squadron went to attack Japanese shipping Some years later, Athol Snook wrote an article in remembrance of his mates in New Guinea. His memory was triggered by a chance conversation about a radio program that was popular during the war. Like many programs of their day, there were a number of catch phrases which always brought roars of laughter from the audience. Athol Snook takes up the story.

“Funny thing how memory works. A scent, an old tune or sometimes a taste can start your mind throwing up pictures that you thought you’d forgotten forever,” he wrote.

“I don’t suppose there are many people today who remember Harry Tate and his wonderful radio sketch ‘Running an Office’ all about Tootles the office boy, the mad inventor and the mousetrap.

“Well, the other night I heard Harry Tate’s name mentioned at a party. We were all very much of an age, somewhere in our 50s - what might be called ‘older boys and girls’. That’s if one were being kind that is. Standing there in a mild alcoholic haze, well fed and at peace with the world, I was suddenly whisked out of that lounge, plucked from my friends and transported over the Indian Ocean, across the shallow Timor Sea, through the Torres Straits and straight into Milne Bay at the most eastern tip of New Guinea. Not only was this instantaneous, or nearly so, but there was a neat little bit of time wangling as well. Without any fuss or nonsense the clock was turned back and suddenly it was 1942.

“If you look at a map of New Guinea you’ll notice that there’s something about its shape that reminds you of some crouching primitive animal. What used to be called Dutch New Guinea is the head with gaping mouth; at the other end, with forked tail, 30 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

WM ART28968: Boat sailing across the water - creator Athol Snook Flying Officer Athol Snook, Royal Australian Air Force, spent 47 days at sea in a lifeboat “Scorpion”sailing from Java to Australia with 11 comrades to escape from the Japanese. Those selected to take part in the epic voyage were Wing Commander J. R Jeudwine (captain), S/ Ldr A.K Passmore (purser), F/O C.P Streatfield 1st (Lt and 2nd helmsman), P/O S.G Turner, (navigator), RAF and P/O M.S Macdonald, Sgts G.W Sayer, W.N Cosgrove, A.C Longmore, J Lovegrove, A.C Snook, P.M Corney and P Haynes, RAAF.

is where we were. Between these two points is the almost virgin world of this huge island. Dramatic, mountainous, jungle covered.

Dangerous. Peopled by ochre-painted, sometimes warlike natives.

A land where salt is a form of currency and where the plumes of the Bird of Paradise crown heads with exotic beauty.

“This was the last link in the chain of island conquests which the Japanese had to secure before they turned south for the greatest prize of all - Australia.

“That they never achieved their goal can only be called a miracle.

They were beaten in the Battle of the Coral Sea and on land were stopped when only a handful of miles from Moresby. The battles along the Kokoda Trail were bitter, bloody and heroic.

“Milne Bay was the end of the line for the Japs; they were beaten there too and withdrew and that’s how our squadron came to be

stationed there. We flew Beaufort torpedo bombers, operated from a strip cut out of a coconut plantation and lived in a village of brown-coloured tents. Mud, sweat, mildew, rain and the thud of failing coconuts were the elements of our domestic life.

Mosquitoes enlivened the nights with their whining flight and now and again the Japs brightened things up with their unwelcome and noisy visits. It is against this backdrop that the scene is played.

“Don Leigh, a gunner, was little, untidy and wore badly fitting false teeth. He nearly always sported a filthy, battered topee and his shorts were too long. In civilian life he had been a radio announcer in Hobart. He had a wonderful, wicked sense of humour. I thought he was the funniest thing since Charlie Chaplin.

“Bill Young was just the opposite. Good looking, pipe smoking, he exuded an atmosphere of calm control. He even managed to look clean. Both he and I were navigators. All of us treasured a battered portable gramophone; our greatest joy was to play a very noisy and scratchy recording of Colonel Corn. Vera Lynn brought emotional lumps to our throats and we wallowed in colourful and no doubt erotic memories of life ‘down south’. Harry Tate, with his ‘Running an Office’ sketch was the perfect ‘middle of the road’ distraction.

It neither enraged our neighbours nor reduced us to emotional wrecks.

“There were endless ways of introducing catch phrases from the sketch into the general conversation and it became a sort of bond to our friendship, rather like belonging to a secret society which has some form of ritual known only to the initiated. Others not in the know would be puzzled by odd references to ‘being back in the spring’ or that we were ‘closing the office’. The favourite, however, was to call someone back who was already some distance off and say, in a hesitating and vague way ‘Oh - eh - one thing more - goodbye’. This had the satisfying effect of infuriating the victim.

It was the last line of the sketch and we used it whenever possible.

Childish? Perhaps; but it was a form of escape from the monotony and yes, the fears of those days so long ago.

“We were down at the strip when news came in that there was a Japanese naval force consisting of a cruiser and destroyers within striking distance of our planes. No one who has not experienced the chill which strikes when you know that you are going to risk your neck within the next few hours can imagine, fully, how it feels. Nine crews were put on immediate stand by. Aircraft were to be checked. Take off was to be just before dusk. It started to rain. A depressing half light did nothing to brighten the atmosphere.

“Then our machine went U/S [unserviceable] with hydraulic trouble and we as a crew were withdrawn from the strike; we went to the briefing just the same, relieved to be out of what looked like being a very sticky ‘do’, yet carried along by the impetus of our near involvement.

“The Ops Room was a thatched hut, trestle tables end to end split the room in half down its length. Wall maps of the area showed the military situation. The enemy ships’ position was almost due east of the bay. The room was crowded, it smelt of dampness, sweat and cigarette smoke. The hard light of pressure lamps seemed to intensify the late afternoon gloom. It was to be a classic torpedo attack with the planes coming in at the cruiser from three different directions. It was simple enough - fly out in formation, find the enemy in the half dark, split up, attack and destroy. Then come home independently. All one had to do was to do it.

“The briefing came to an end. The crews collected their belongings, nav. Bags, head-phones, survival kits. All the paraphernalia of bomber crews. Gradually the room cleared.

My two friends moved towards the door; I stood watching. As if suddenly remembering something, Don turned. He came a few steps towards me and with a little smile said ‘Oh - one thing more - goodbye’.

“One by one the-planes racketed into life, taxied to the take-off point. Propellers hurled the streaming air behind and wheels crashed over the shining metal matting. They lifted into the weeping dusk heading towards the east. The sound of their motors faded and we were left with only the hissing of the lamp and the dripping rain.

“And so we waited, making conversation for the sake of appearing normal but our minds carried us out over a grey sea that swept so close beneath our wings and suddenly there they are; dark smudges wildly swinging in an agony of evasion. Split up - line astern. Now the leading plane banks, turning in towards the ship.

Now line abreast. Steady at 120 knots and 120 feet. Not much to remember, just do it. Now the grey shapes show little flicks of light along their sides. What’s that? They’re firing at us, that’s all. Get in close. Now the great shape seems to fill the windshield. Now is the moment. Bomb doors open. Press the tit. A slight jolt and the torpedo slices away from the plane. It is done, now nothing can change what is going to happen. The planes swerve and jink. The navigators spray madly with their twin Vickers. The pilots sweat with an agony of tension as they battle to avoid the other planes and now they are pulling back on the control column and the great ship is whipping beneath. Planes seem to be everywhere. The ships fire madly. Skidding and weaving the aircraft climb away. The cruiser explodes in a thundering, tearing spasm of tortured metal, Inrushing sea and screeching steam. It is all over. The planes turn towards the west and home. Now it is almost night and the rain beats against the wings.

“We sat in the tent waiting. Overhead the palms move their fronds restlessly like great living, questing hairy creatures, dark against the weeping night. Now the sound of engines filling the dripping sky with the sad, lonely throb of their beat. One by one they come in to land, their brilliant lights seeking the sodden strip. Great dark shapes moving against a hedge of palms. The tyres touch, kissing the metal, sobbing in a watery embrace. Four down, four more to come. Now once more the sound, the piercing light the mad careering shape - it goes on and on throwing up great gobs of water, It cannot stop in time. The pilot pulls up the undercart, the plane slithers obscenely in the mud like some poor broken bird. Rescue teams rush to help but there is no need, there is no fire and the crew climb out unhurt.

“Once more we wait and now the fear for our friends grows stronger, feeding on doubt, it spreads among the group of men who stand out in the rain straining their ears for the beat of propellers.

The weather worsens, the palms bend to the rising wind. Squalls of rain lash obliquely at the planes, the flapping tents, the dripping jungle. Sheet lightning lights the world around like a series of false dawns, thunder rumbles, truculent, threatening. Suddenly we hear the plane. At first it is only a whisper, but quickly the sound grows stronger, as if gaining confidence. Now it is overhead drowning the other sounds with its pulsing beat. We can even see the navigation lights, red and green twin wandering stars, misted by the rain, sweeping in concentric orbits till they are lost to sight in the pounding rain. Again and again the scene is repeated. The plane is very low, circling and circling. Over the E/T the voice of the radio operator strained but controlled, his message, broken by static, tells the story. Visibility is so bad that they cannot see the strip lights well enough to attempt a landing. Fuel is getting very low.

“The CO makes the decision. They must gain height, set the machine on a course for the bay and bale out. It is the best chance they have.

“Now the engine note becomes stronger, more purposeful. They pass over us once more and the sound of their flight echoes from the crouching hills as they head for the sea. Suddenly, there is the dull boom of an explosion, then silence, only the wind and rain.

“The jungled arms of the bay have caught them in a wet embrace; the swaying trees and tangled vines ripped and torn by the violence of the union; the black wet earth layed bare by their metal plough. A self dug grave for four young men. Ken Magregor, pilot. Bill Young, navigator. Frank Ewing, radio operator and Don Leigh, gunner.

“Over the years I have often thought of them and of the other two crews who were lost that night, lost in the awful blind, wandering till they too found some mountain peak or watery end. I can still see the hissing lamp, still smell the musty jungle damp, still see the little figure with the battered topee, the long shorts and from the past a ghostly, taunting voice calls me back, intoning ‘One thing more - Goodbye’.”

Printed with permission: Department of Veteran Affairs: Anzac Portal. The material for this article was supplied by Mrs Gwen Atkinson of Western Australia, Athol Snook’s sister.

BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 31

Aussie Athletes

uniting for Lifeline in time of need BCiB Australian Jackaroo Natasha Van Eldik and recently-retired international teammate Karen Murphy are amongst 22 current and former Australian athletes named AIS-Lifeline Community Custodians for 2020-21.

“We know many athletes would be finding this time very difficult after the postponement of the Tokyo Games. So, it is a selfless act for them to help us ensure that every Australian has the opportunity to connect with Lifeline if they are struggling through COVID-19,” said Seery.

Now in its second year, the partnership between AIS and Lifeline Australia will help deliver the impactful community engagement program, with athletes stepping up to help increase awareness around suicide prevention and encourage anyone who needs support to reach out and ask for help.

“It is both a testament to their strength of character and Australian spirit, they are a great group of athletes. We are very grateful.”

The immediate focus for this year’s Custodian cohort will be lending their voices to Lifeline’s first-ever National Emergency Appeal, which is in direct response to the impact of COVID-19.

The campaign ‘You’ve got 30 seconds to save a life’ is aiming to raise $5 million to fill the funding gap caused by the cancellation of key fundraising events, storefront closures and increasing demand for services.

Australians are turning to Lifeline in greater numbers than ever before, with the organisation receiving almost 90,000 calls for help in March alone, the most in their 57-year history.

AIS Director of Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Matti Clements says while the program will be delivered a little differently to originally planned (as a result of COVID-19), the key objectives have not changed.

“We want to remind Australians of the importance of reaching out and staying connected and to give a voice to the struggles that we know many people are facing, especially right now,” said Clements.

“With travel and physical distancing restrictions currently in place, we will be looking at virtual engagement opportunities and utilising athlete’s digital presence to continue to share their personal journeys and assure everyone that if you need support, there is someone ready to listen.”

Recently-retired Australian netballer and current Melbourne Vixens player Thwaites is one of the 15 new Custodians for 2020-21 and is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community in a space she is very passionate about.

The 33-year old, who represented the Diamonds from 2012-2019, has been open on her struggles with depression and anxiety throughout her career, and hopes sharing her story will help others.

2020-21 Lifeline Community Custodians Read full athlete bios – https://ais.gov.au/custodians Alexandra Viney, Rowing Australia, Victorian Institute of Sport Amanda Bateman, Rowing Australia, Victorian Institute of Sport Amber Merritt, Basketball Australia, West Australian Institute of Sport Belle Brockhoff, Snow Australia, NSW Institute of Sport/Victorian Institute of Sport Caitlin Thwaites, Netball Australia, VIS Catriona Bisset, Athletics Australia Dane Bird-Smith, Athletics Australia Erik Horrie, Rowing Australia, NSW Institute of Sport Georgia Wilson, Hockey Australia, West Australian Institute of Sport Jenna O’Hea, Basketball Australia, Victorian Institute of Sport Jonathan Goerlach, Triathlon Australia, NSW Institute of Sport Joshua Di Nucci, Gymnastics Australia Juliet Haslam, Hockey Australia, South Australian Institute of Sport Karen Murphy, Bowls Australia Kristy Harris, Boxing Australia, Victorian Institute of Sport Lily Gresele, Gymnastics, West Australian Institute of Sport Louise Ellery, Athletics Australia, ACT Academy of Sport Matt Lewis, Wheelchair Rugby Monique Murphy, Swimming Australia, Queensland Academy of Sport Natasha Van Eldik, Bowls Australia Nathan Katz, Judo Australia Rachael Lynch, Hockey Australia, Victorian Institute of Sport To find out more about the AIS and Lifeline Community Custodians program – visit: https://ais.gov.au/custodians To donate to the Lifeline National Emergency Appeal – visit: https://fundraise.lifeline.org.au/ emergency-appeal

“I have had my journey with my mental health over the years and through this, I learnt so much about managing my wellbeing and developed a number of coping strategies which I now use every day,” said Thwaites “Thank you to both the AIS and Lifeline for providing the opportunity to be a part of this important program.

“I have been open in sharing my story and struggles when I am out in the community because I believe assisting to reduce the stigma, and educate the community is vital to helping people going through their own personal battles.”

Lifeline Australia CEO Colin Seery said he was ‘delighted the Lifeline Community Custodians are supporting our Emergency Appeal’.

32 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

You can contact Lifeline by phone on: 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days) or chat to a Crisis Supporter via text on: 0477 13 11 14 (6 pm – midnight.)

Image: Bowls Australia

HOW GR A NT S C AN LE VE L U P YO U R C LU B Chermside Bowls Club’s grants & sponsorship director, Michael McMahon, says that his club has benefited greatly from the council grants which has given them the capital they needed to install a lift, ramp and disabled toilets at the club for better disability access.

The club attended the Brisbane Council Civic Cabinet meeting at Northgate in 2017, after the meeting Councillor Fiona Hammond introduced members of the club to a grants group who said they would potentially be interested in sponsoring the Multi-Disability State Championships event. The club applied and was allocated funds to cover the green fees and meals of the players and volunteers.

Several months later at the Brisbane Council civic meeting in 2018 at Gaythorne, the Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said he appreciated the club taking the time to thank the Council for sponsoring the event, as many do not.

“Councillor Peter Matic who holds the office of Chair, Community, Arts and Lifestyle Committee came and said thanks for saying thanks, he then asked when did the club need the money for the 2018 event, they then paid for the green fees and meals of the players and volunteers again,” Chermside’s Michael McMahon said.

“A couple of months after the 2018 event, the Council asked for a meeting with the club manager and chairman and when they came, they unveiled a plan of what the Council would like to do, to make the club better for the elderly and disabled people in the community.

“The Council had a lift installed, reworked the drop-off point in the carpark, built a specific ramp for wheelchair access onto the green and built a specific disabled toilet and modified the men’s toilet for wheelchairs.

“They also altered the bar and sign in register so that people could sign in and be served and changed the incline of a ramp outside to make it easier for wheelchairs.”

Thanks to the work done, Michael says the club can now better cater for its members with a disability, this also makes the club more attractive to prospective club members.

When was the last time your club applied for a grant?

As a community club, you can apply for a variety of different grants, get in touch with your local RBM to find out what your club may be eligible to apply for.

URAIDLA BOWLING CLUB HAVE FOUND THEIR WINNING TICKET Story by Bowls South Australia The Uraidla Bowling Club, situated in the centre of the hills town of Uraidla has implemented a small but extremely successful moneymaking machine.

The club and their loyal sponsor, The Bridgewater Inn, have struck a deal where the club hires a bingo machine and places it within the Hotel.

Tickets are purchased from a supplier, the cost of which also covers the rent for the machine.

The Bridgewater Inn has a much higher participation rate throughout the year, compared to that of the bowling club, therefore increasing the use on the machine. Uraidla has estimated an approximate profit of $5000 per year, which, for a small club is a huge revenue raiser.

The machine requires some planning to initiate, a lotteries licence and bookkeeping throughout. Once the machine has commenced in its designated spot it is just a matter of keeping the machine stocked with tickets and having an arrangement with the Hotel to collect the money from the machine and pay out on winning tickets.

A great initiative by the team at Uraidla and something other clubs could consider.

BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020 33

Bowls VIC Restructure

Bowls Victoria plans to alter its region structure from July next year, this will see the removal of the Bendigo Bowls Division, Campaspe Valley and potentially the Goldfields division as well.

The BBD and CVBD will be incorporated into a new Bowls Victoria region structure, rather than the BBD’s 22 clubs all being part of one entity, they will now be among as many as 40 clubs in a region that could stretch 245kms from Deniliquin to Maryborough if Goldfields is also added.

Joining the BBD’s 22 clubs in the yet to be named region will be Deniliquin, Deniliquin RSL, Mathoura District & Servicemen’s, Moama, City of Echuca, Rich River, Lockington, Tongala, Kyabram Valley View, Rochester and Elmore from Campaspe Valley.

And Dunolly, Maryborough Highlands Society, Maryborough Golf, Carisbrook, Talbot, Maldon and Newstead would be the Goldfields clubs if that division is to be added, which is expected to be known in May. Under the existing Bowls Victoria structure, Bendigo and Campaspe Valley had been linked together as a region but ran independently of each other.

Now they, as well as potentially the Goldfields clubs, will all fall under the one level of governance, while they will still be able to run separate pennant competitions.

However, one possibility that the change could lead to is the implementation of a showcase premier level competition pitting the big gun teams of the region against each other.

Bowls Victoria has outlined three key reasons for the

34 BOWLS PLUS JUN/JUL 2020

change, these were to achieve uniformity, reduce the number of volunteers required and to try and maximise bowlers leisure time.

Early naming suggestions for the new region include the North Central Region or Northern Goldfields Region, while the changes will require a new region constitution and regulations to be developed.

Bowls Victoria chief executive officer Tony Sherwill said the “encouraging” of the implementation of the changes by July 1 of this year had been made before the coronavirus impact.

“When we started this process there was a chance in some areas (to implement the changes this year), but the coronavirus has thrown our plans into a bit of chaos,” Sherwill said.

“The deadline was always July 1, 2021, but we were encouraging some regions to do it earlier if they were going to be in a position, which we thought Bendigo would have been. But we expect now that Bendigo will be 2021, rather than 2020 and that’s no drama.”

Bowls Victoria’s current structure of divisions within 16 existing metropolitan and regional regions has been in place for just over 10 years since the unification of the Royal Victorian Bowling Association and Victorian Ladies Bowling Association in December of 2009.

“The key thing with this change is we will no longer need the same number of volunteers running each division, we will be able to do it from a regional level,” Sherwill said.

“As for who plays who regarding pennant, there doesn’t need to be any change.”

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