Sorrento's 2007/8 Men's Pennant Teams

Thanksto Ron Burroughs for this summary of our Men's Pennant teams from 15 years ago. It is indeed sad to see how many of our fellow bowlers are no longer playing bowls for Sorrento for one or other reason:

Editor's Note:

We are all hoping that some of the above will return to Pennant bowls as we need some more good bowlers.

Tribute to Judy Campbell

Tribute from Moira Dean Judy Campbell left us on 6 January 2023. It was the Annual Sorrento Gala Day, a day she loved and supported every year. We held a wake for her at the Club on 12 January.

This remarkable woman, with her passion for the Sorrento Bowling Club, will be missed. She was a hard taskmaster and her understanding of the rules and etiquette of the game was legendary.

Those of us at her wake told stories and laughed, as friends contributed with their own experiences of Judy. Her daughter, Tracey, and son-in-law, Ken, brought photos, badges and other memorabilia. They were so pleased we had honoured Judy by meeting together. Her friend Merwyn Mills-Stewart, who was a former member of Sorrento, also attended. They were very close and she described their friendship as "like sisters".

The ladies provided a nice spread with savoury and sweet things to have with a glass or two of wine. It was fitting that the table was decorated in red, black and white (her favourite colours) and spots as Judy loved spots. May she rest in eternal peace, her love and passion for the game always remembered.

Tribute from Kevin Coffey

Judy was a multi-faceted person with a strong will and always spoke her mind. But the Judy who regularly helped out with the Joker over many years was amazing. Even as she became less mobile, she would at times accept a lift down to our Club to be part of the group.

Judy was a proud supporter and sponsor of the “Scroungers” winter Competition and in the last few years attended when her health allowed, She sponsored the end of season food and contributed to the prize pool in 2022.

Judy would occasionally give me a verbal serve but she had the spirit in her that accepted a strong reply. She liked a laugh, she was fun but she was also quite private. For some people Judy was a PITA but to those of us who knew her well and understood her she was a hidden Gem. She had many older friends and colleagues at the club of whom she spoke fondly. Judy, love her or hate her she will be missed by her friends at Sorrento

–In Loving Memory of my friend Judy Campbell.

Left: Judy and her dear friend Michelle

Right: Judy, Kevin and Bob – the Joker team for many years

Robyn and Judy supporting our bowlers

Sorrentolady bowlers turned out in force in club uniform to form a guard of honour at the funeral for Helen Ironside who sadly passed away on New Year’s Day. During an emotional service, which included some of the magnificent music she loved, mourners were given a glimpse of the busy life Helen led and her passion for her family, travel and the West Coast Eagles.

Heartfelt tributes were delivered by her son Craig, granddaughter Maddie, a cherished friend Ray Almore and her former boss Terry Flanagan. Helen joined our club in 2007 and a year later won both the Ladies’ Novice Championship and the Ladies’ Open Novice Championship. These were great achievements and she was very proud of what she had done. During her 15 years at our Club Helen served on the Match Committee and along with her husband, Jim, took on volunteering jobs around the place. She and Jim were part of the team which assisted outside parties coming into the club for social bowling events.

Helen enjoyed making cards, a passion which kept her very busy. But it was her love of travelling for which she will be well remembered. There were bowling trips to Fiji and Colley and mourners were told of Helen’s wide variety of extensive trips around Australia and overseas. The story was told of how, although Helen knew she wouldn’t see Craig as often after he went to live in New Zealand, she was very excited at the prospect of going to the Shaky Isles to visit him. Our thoughts are with Jim and her family and she will be missed by all her friends.

–Sonia, Denise and Lee

Helen with some of the volunteers who have helped Ken Giles with the various groups wanting to learn how to play bowls

Helen and Jim with their good friends Ron and Betty

Empty chair

Someday you’ll be in a place

And you think no one is there

Someday you’ll remember a face

As you look at an empty chair

It may be only in your mind But you know they are there You will look and you will find A loved one in the empty chair

Someday you may ask “Why”?

So little time to share Memories of the last goodbye

As you gaze at the empty chair

So many things you had to say Now the memories are everywhere In your heart you’re never far away From the one in the empty chair

Memories stay, loved one’s gone Memories everywhere

Memories stay, you move on With the one in the empty chair

– Ron Hutchinson