NEWS DESK
Going greens for record bid Global favourite IT is said that China invented it, Italy named it and Latin Americans made it their own and, on Saturday its will be a centre of attention in Frankston. It is the pinata: the paper mache party decoration filled with goodies and known worldwide as a favourite at children’s parties. Italian explorer Marco Polo “discovered” pinatas in China and introduced them to Europe, from where they headed to the New World in the Americas and, eventually, to the rest of the globe. At this year’s Ventana Fiesta in Frankston the ‘Marco Polo in Pinata’ exhibition is being created by Venezuelan Ramón Martínez Mendoza; Australian Tunni Kraus; and renowned paper sculptor Movana Chen (pictured), who is coming from China. The exhibition will be unveiled at the grand opening of Ventana on Friday at Cube 37 at the Frankston Arts Centre. Entry is free and festivities start at 7pm. Thee artists will host a free workshop the next day at Cube 37 where locals can learn the history of pinatas. The workshop is also free. It runs 11am-1pm on Saturday also at Cube 37, but with only 30 places available bookings are essential on 9784 1896. Details: frankston.vic.gov.au
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CARRUM Bowls Club’s greens were the scene of a Guiness World Record attempt this month as part of a challenge to play at the greatest number of bowls clubs in a one-year period. Chris Thomas from Cobram played against club president Phil Kelly on Wednesday 11 February. is inadvertently following in the footsteps of fellow Victorian bowls enthusiast Frank Peniguel who set a record of playing at 620 bowls clubs around Australia last year (‘Taking to the road for record’, The Times 17/3/14). Mr Thomas began his bowls journey at Tweeds Heads on 1 July last year and, as of last week, has played at 559 clubs throughout Queensland, NSW, the ACT and Victoria. All funds raised during the record attempt by Mr Thomas will be donated to the Cancer Council of Victoria’s “I Will for Cancer” campaign. Bowls clubs members and friends have generously donated $27,500 so far and Mr Thomas has a target of $50,000 by 30 June in mind. He also promotes good mental health as part of an Australian Men’s Shed Association initiative on his travels. “It’s a concept in men’s mental health that I both believe in and promote as I travel the country,” Mr Thomas said. “The AMSA and Fashion Club Wear sponsor me. FCW make the bowls shirts I sell to fundraise. They do this at a loss, so I can commit the highest amount of money possible to the Cancer Council.” Mr Thomas must play 10 ends against a bowls club member at each club he visits to be eligible for the Guiness World Record. Carrum Bowls Club secretary Jim Coull said the club had been happy to help Mr Thomas on his quest to beat the bowls record. Neil Walker Greens team: Chris Thomas and Carrum Bowls Club president Phil Kelly, right, had a friendly game of bowls at the club this month to raise money for the Cancer Council. Picture: Yanni
Frankston Times 23 February 2015