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Life Membership – John Abercrombie
Finally, this brings us to the question of what gender are our bowls? After some research it has been established that lawn bowls are definitely feminine as they have womanly qualities. If a bowl can be referred to as “a beautiful bowl” then it must be female as no one refers to a beautiful man. (Jan Pan disputes this and say “Oh yes you can!). Bowls like a bit of polish and come in lovely colours with a nice glossy finish and don’t like to be manhandled. Bowls also tend to do their own thing and don’t listen, need to be handled carefully, go their own way, are normally a bit biased, a little sensitive and have dimples! End of story!
When it comes to determining the gender of the little white or yellow ball we use as a target we need to consider that the official rule book calls it a jack. It is however also known as the “kitty”, “the white”, the “sweetie” or the “pill”! Perhaps when it is referred to as the “Kitty” it is feminine and when referred to as the “Jack” it has to be masculine. – Neville Odell with help from Brian Staples
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Life Membership – John Abercrombie
At the Annual General meeting in August 2020 Ron Taylor, on behalf of the Governing Council, presented life membership of our Club to our President, John Abercrombie. He told members present that ABBA joined our Club in 1998 and that in the 22 years he has been a member he has always made a major contribution to the on-going success of our Club.
He reminded us that ABBA has always performed his duties at the highest level and has never sought recognition or reward and with an
unblemished record he continues to serve as a role model for others and always puts the welfare of our Club first and foremost. ABBA served as the –• Men’s Bowls Captain for four years (2002/3, 2012/13 to 2014/15) • Our President for 6 years (2003/4, 2004/5 and 2016/17 to 2019/20)
Whilst he has been President in the last five years Sorrento has been – • “Bowls WA Club of the Year” on three occasions • “Clubs WA Club of the Year” on three occasions • Included in “Clubs WA Hall of Fame” in 2019 • Named as the “Second Best Bowling Club in Australia” in 2020
Ron pointed out that during the recent COVID-19 pandemic ABBA had showed great leadership in guiding our Governing Council’s response and action plan. Due to his prudent leadership we entered the COVID-19 pandemic in a sound financial position with reserves to help get us over this difficult period.
He went on to say that ABBA had overseen significant development in the Club’s history including the recent western and eastern extensions and the development of the undercover bowls facility that unfortunately did not receive Council support after considerable effort but provided the foundation for a $460,000 for a Community Sporting and Recreation Facilities Fund grant to extend E- green and install a synthetic surface.
Ron said that ABBA was always prepared to listen and communicate with members and that his regular reports to members during the lock-down helped to keep everyone informed of developments and to understand the complexities the compliance requirements were placing on clubs as well as to appreciate the volume of work that had gone on behind the scenes. Congratulations from us all ABBA. Your award is well deserved!
