Warmth Flows in a Journey of Hope and Inspiration

January and was played over ten weeks with two games played each week. The fight to finish in the top two spots to qualify for the grand final was played right out to the last week with five teams still able to make it.

The top two teams in Green Division were "Wild Turkeys" (last years’ winners) and "Untouchables" who played the final over two hours with "Wild Turkeys" managing to win the final and top prize. In the Gold Division the top two teams were "Four Amigos" and "Tuesdays Battlers" however "Four Amigos" had to forfeit as they had a preplanned holiday out of Perth and could not attend on the final night.

Congratulations to the winning teams and also to the other 22 teams who participated in a very successful and enjoyable season with some beautiful nights for bowls out on the green. We would particularly like to thank the sponsors "Just Yummy Honey" and "Vasse Felix Wines" for their contribution to weekly prizes. Also to our team of Club volunteers who helped on the barbeque each week and Trevor Orton for fixturing.

– Graeme and Helen O’Brien

Warmth Flows in a Journey of Hope and Inspiration

Our much-loved and respected Premier Division bowler Kerry Hutchinson, who played right up until the last round of the Pennant season, recently revealed she then, almost immediately, underwent breast cancer and lymph node surgery. Now back home and moving forward with a very positive mindset, Kerry wants to share the heartfelt journey she is experiencing with one of her daughters.

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My middle daughter, Nicole, has also recently undergone breast cancer surgery and lymph node removal and her treatment plan will extend through until the end of July/August with ongoing monitoring and medical support for the foreseeable future.

But there is no way that is going to impinge her plans. Nicole’s progress is looking good and she intends to compete in the upcoming Margaret River Ultra Marathon. That decision doesn’t surprise me in the slightest as four days after her surgery Nicole began walking 10 kilometers a day to build up her strength.

She’s a real fighter very much like myself. The day after breast cancer was confirmed for me, I made it through to the top eight in the Over 60’s Singles, going down to Therese Hastings, the eventual winner. I am looking forward to playing bowls again at Sorrento as soon as my treatment allows and plan to take part in the Professional Bowling Association WA Qualifying Tournament at Rossmoyne in July.

I feel extremely blessed that I am able to share this journey with Nicole as we are a great support for each other. In Nicole’s words, it’s been special being able to spend so much time together and sharing a very personal experience. But there are some tough times ahead. Nicole is a single, working mum and has a teenage son who is insulin dependent to the extent he has to be attended to at midnight and 3am.

When Nicole begins chemotherapy, I will move into her house to help with the workload. Hopefully, I will do better than my first stint where, in the dark and sleep deprived, I pricked my own finger rather than my grandson’s. At least my muffled groan didn’t wake him and my sugar levels were good.

I am really enjoying my time at Sorrento after three seasons with

Mundaring and a short stint with Kalamunda which ended when my husband was told by that club his presence was superfluous to requirements and he went back to Swan. I was very happy to be returning to Sorrento and the huge cheers I received when I walked through the door was almost overwhelming.

Even though we live at Swan View, getting to Sorrento is no more a problem than it is for Jeff Thomson and Leslie Hughes who travel from Mount Helena to play at this most welcoming club. When I am asked why I travel so far and pass so many bowling clubs to get to Sorrento, my answer is always ‘the distance is nothing when you know you are travelling to meet up with your tribe’.

Having to virtually self isolate over the last few weeks to ensure surgeries for both of us can go ahead, I have been blown away by the support I am receiving from the Sorrento members. The club’s community spirit and empathy is alive and well and I believe the regular Welfare Reports are bringing this to the fore more and more at a time when members need it most.

It is something that is really appreciated and brings members together through some very trying times. You may not be walking in our shoes during our journey but walking alongside us during these times is what Sorrento members do so well with heartfelt kindness. My sincerest thanks to you all.

– Kerry Hutchinson

Junior Bowls at Sorrento

Carine High School have a history with Sorrento. After the 2013 National Junior Bowls Championships were held at our Club I was asked if I would be willing to help promote junior bowls at Sorrento.

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