End of an Era

should be carried up the green, not bowled, particularly if another game is still in progress.

Players need to be aware of the basic laws and etiquette of the game and observe them at all times. – Jim Ironside

End of an Era

Friday 28 August 2020 saw the end of an era at Sorrento with Silver Fern Catering serving their last menu to our members. (Pictured alongside are Sofia Tassone, Ross Cunningham, Trish Cunningham, and Yanika O’Brien)

From the early 90s, catering at Scarborough Sports Club, until their final roast meal at Sorrento, Ross and Trish Cunningham have been renowned for not only their great food, but a genuinely friendly and caring attitude towards everyone they meet.

Trish started Silver Fern Catering in 1993, operating from Scarborough Sports Club. At the same time, Ross continued in his gardening business while also completing a Commercial Cookery course over 12 months, later joining Trish full time in the business in 1995.

But it wasn’t until 2008 that Ross began playing bowls for Scarborough, with Trish joining him three years later. Ross tells us that Ray Stapleton had regular meals at Scarborough during this time, and was also the coach at Scarborough. Ray had repeatedly asked Ross if he was going to play bowls at the start of each season but the reply was always the

same: “I’m too young!!” Ray finally won and got Ross to play; and then Ray promptly left for Sorrento!

When a restructure at Scarborough left Silver Fern Catering suddenly without a home, Ross and Trish reached out to Ray, and then President Barry Bradshaw, and made the move to Sorrento.

Joan Whitham had been running the Sorrento kitchen for many years. As it turned out, Joan and Trish were both born in the town of Opunake in New Zealand and built a strong friendship and respect for each other. This friendship certainly helped with an easy transition in the use of the kitchen.

Ross began playing bowls for Sorrento immediately, but Trish waited to settle into the job before she started playing herself. Silver Fern became an integral part of the Club’s operations and both Ross and Trish valued members and Pennant players.

Ross was always planning to retire in June 2020, with Trish carrying on the business, but COVID-19 left them with an uncertain future. While the restrictions brought about by the pandemic have been the catalyst to reassess the future of the business, the decision to close the business was theirs. As Trish puts it, “It’s time for someone new to come in and help take the Club to the next level of growth.”

Ross and Trish have always had a good work/life balance and Ross is still going ahead with his retirement plans, while Trish is on the lookout for new opportunities.

It’s an exciting new stage of their lives and they are both looking forward to Friday afternoon roll ups and drinks with the many friends they have at Sorrento Bowling Club. 55 – Wendy Flack