Tribute to our Life Members

Tribute to our Life Members

People who become involved in the administration a Club quickly realise that the task at hand is quite daunting and often stressful. With the ever-increasing compliance obligations, the breadth of Sorrento’s operations is no less complex than that of a commercial business, and arguably more difficult because we do not have the resources to hire labour and expertise beyond greens and bar, instead relying on the good will of volunteers.

Our hard-working and "priceless" volunteers, who generously contribute their time and energies over long-periods and put in meritorious and massive effort, are justifiably recognised as life members. I dedicate this article to the wonderful contribution made by our life members over the years. Several are unfortunately no longer with us but their legacies live on. We pay tribute to:

Arthur and Edna Stewart – Life Membership 1991

In 1976 Arthur was elected as our first President of what was then known as the Sorrento Sporting Club. He and his wife Edna worked tirelessly, as foundation members to get our Club established and operational. Arthur worked with the old Lands and Surveys Department and used his knowledge and contacts to ensure that Sorrento was well accommodated in establishing the Club’s lease with the then Shire of Wanneroo.

Bill Sheppard - Life Membership 1993

Bill was also a tireless worker as Secretary and who later in his life and for ten years served as the Club’s Welfare Officer. He would studiously visit the sick in their homes or hospital. Some commented that after being visited by Bill, who was also in poor health, felt a surge of determination to get better.

Min Puller - Life Membership 1994

Min was one of our 1976 Foundation members and for many years served as Lady President, Chairman of Match Committee and Chairman of Selection. She and her husband Alex gave a lot of their time to our Club and helped to make it "The Best in the West".

Ben Dinning - Life Membership 1996

In the 80s and 90s Ben was President, Deputy President, a Selector and Men’s Captain. He also enjoyed coaching new bowlers and then watching their progress. Nothing was a burden and he would help anyone. He told John Godfrey that his dream was that one day Sorrento would be the number one club in WA and he was right!

Bill Broun - Life Membership 2000

Bill was our Club Secretary from 1989 to 1991, Vice President in the early 1990s and then President before taking on many other roles in our Club. He is remembered as "one of the nicest guys you could meet". He did a lot for our Club and his efforts were always appreciated.

Des Bennett - Life Membership 2003

Des Bennett was a Club Treasurer (10 years) and on the Bar Committee for 12 years. He was always conscientious and worked long hours. Des was instrumental in getting E Green constructed which was subsequently named in his honour. He was a coach for seven years and helped many of us to be better bowlers.

Joan Whitham - Life Membership 2005

For many years the lovely and hard-working Joan was on our Match, Selection and the Social Committees. Our kitchen is dedicated to Joan in recognition of the years that she and her helpers toiled preparing meals for events. Joan was always ably assisted by her husband Cedric who spent many hours washing dishes and cleaning.

Graeme Heard - Life Membership 2006

Graeme was one of our Foundation members, Graeme. This gentle soul was loved by all and was always known as “Heardie”. He is remembered for his many years serving as a Selector and working tirelessly to coach hundreds of bowlers. He and his wife Nellie did so much over many years and we thank them both.

Bill Leyland - Life Membership 2006

This “fine gentleman” was one of our original twelve Foundation members. Bill worked over many years to help establish our Club and he put in hard yards to construct A and B greens He was a part time greenkeeper and was also Club Secretary and our Welfare Officer. He and his wife May always loved our Club.

John Murphy - Life Membership 2006

Our dear friend John is also one of our Foundation members. Over many years he served as a Selector and was on the Bar and the Social Committees. For five years he was our Welfare Officer and members always appreciated his calls. John continues to vol58 unteer by helping out with our raffles.

Ian Wittber - Life Membership 2009

In the 36 years Ian has been a member, he has always been one of our most hard working and conscientious volunteers. He was our President for six years and then Secretary for seven and has served on the Selection, Social, Bar and Sponsorship Committees as well as newsletter editor. He has made a significant contribution to our Club.

Geoff Bloomfield - Life Membership 2009

Geoff was a “great leader” and was one of the unsung heroes of our Croquet Club. He set up the Croquet Club as part of the Bowling Club and was Captain for more than ten years. He always mentored and coached new members. As an expert coach and qualified referee, he also gave his services to Clubs throughout WA.

Joan Napier - Life Membership 2010

This lovely and caring lady was 90 when she received recognition for her contribution to our Club. Joan died recently having reached 100 years of age. Joan Napier was a national umpire and was Chairman of the Ladies Selection Committee. We thank her for her many years as a volunteer.

May Leyland - Life Membership 2010

Our dear friend May started bowling in 1979 and served the Club for many years in numerous capacities on the Match, Selection and Social Committees. She also took on the role of Lady Captain, Lady Vice Captain and Welfare Officer. Hand in hand with husband Bill, they made a selfless contribution to our Club. 59

Charlie Beggs - Life Membership 2012

Charlie joined in 1986 and quickly became known as “the man behind the bar”, volunteering to open the bar on Saturdays and Sundays, year after year. His task became more meritorious when he moved to Ridgewood and would have to catch a bus for his early openings. Charlie also served for many years on the Match, Greens and Social committees.

Brian Lucas - Life Membership 2013

We were lucky, 36 years ago, when Brian joined our Club. He has always, and continues, to make a significant contribution to our on going success. His clear and knowledgeable strategic thinking provided clear direction for our Club and this led to Sorrento winning numerous awards and being acknowledged as “the best bowling club in WA”.

Ian Marshall - Life Membership 2014

Ian joined in 2003 and was our President from 2006 to 2011. As one of our priceless volunteers he was on our Match, Bar and Social committees as well as Bowls WA committees He has a strong commitment to Community bowls and for many years helped run the State Masters Singles. He has always been active in our Dart Club. Thank you Ian.

Ron Taylor - Life Membership 2017

Ron joined Sorrento in 2002. At his first AGM, Ron joined the Match Committee and then served many years as Assistant Treasurer, Club Secretary and Chair of the Bar Committee. He still spends many hours volunteering at our Club. What a great member. Both his grandfather and his mother were 60 Life Members in their clubs

Graeme Whitehorn - Life Membership 2019

Our dear friend Graeme, another long term volunteer, joined Sorrento in 1992. He has had a long career as a bowls coach and for over 10 years was Secretary of the Bowls Committee. He was an active member on the Social Committee. In 1998 he produced our first newsletters. He was on the Northern Region Bowls Committee and the Metropolitan Bowls Council.

Wayne Gray - Life Membership 2019

For seven years, as Vice President of Operations, Wayne has overseen and brought to fruition a myriad of technical projects such as renovations and extensions, lighting and security upgrades and now the synthetic green project. His dedicated approach and technical skills have saved us large sums which we would have had to pay contractors and consultants.

John Abercrombie - Life Membership 2020

In the 22 years that ABBA has been a member he has made a major contribution to our on-going success. He is serving his seventh year as President and during this time we have been awarded “Bowls WA Club of the Year” or “Clubs WA Club of the Year” on six occasions. We are indeed lucky to have someone like him to get us through COVID-19.

At the recent AGM Trevor Orton was awarded life membership and we congratulate him on this well deserved acknowledgement of his contributions over many years.

A full report on this special event will be included in our next news magazine.

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