May 2015

MAY 2015

Print Post Approved PP 400063/0010

2015 TAYLOR BOWLS SUPER CHALLENGE

SHOWDOWN

Sunny Coast

SIZZLER

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TALENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR AT THIS YEAR’S QLD STATE TITLES

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CONTENTS

Volume 38

Issue 04

06

22

06 Australian Sides

10 District Sides Preview

Queensland finished in the medals despite a tough slog at this year’s Australian Sides in Perth.

Districts from across Queensland descend on the Sunshine Coast this month to battle for bragging rights. Cover picture: Host district presidents Gloria Weaver and Geoff Osborne.

07 Premier 7s finals

18 Super Challenge showdown

New Farm claimed the Division 1 title during a climactic conclusion to the 2015 Aero Bowls Premier 7s competition.

The biggest club comp in the world came to a dramatic conclusion at Algester Bowls Club in April.

09 Ones to watch!

22 Junior State Champs

State Championships kick off on the Sunshine Coast this month. We have the run-down on who to watch out for at this year’s event.

Queensland’s brightest bowling young talents took to the greens at Bundaberg in April to fight it out for state title glory.

Published by: Bowls Queensland CEO Doug Evans Editorial team: Naomi Cescotto John Reynolds Cover Photo - Stu Taylor

Editorial: Queensland Bowler Ph: (07) 3355 9988 E: news@bowls-queensland.org

Subscriptions: To subscribe, send your contact details, together with a cheque or money order for $36 (inc gst), to:

Advertising: Wayne Griffin Ph: 0448 368 979 E: advert@bowls-queensland.org

Queensland Bowler Subscriptions PO Box 476, Alderley, Qld 4051.

Bowls Queensland Patron: His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, Governor of Queensland

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A U S S I D E S

Aero Bowls Premier 7s

Sean Ingham battles the elements in Perth

Maroons’ skip Lynsey Clarke; Players of the Series - Nathan Rice and Pam Rowe; Julie Keegan in action

MAROONS SURPRISE MEDAL FINISH ’

Queensland’s 2015 Australian Sides team was frustrated in its quest to defend its “top spot” in the national competition, by strong winds, continuous rain, and exceptionally heavy greens.

Nobody was more surprised than the Maroons camp when the Queensland women were announced as silver medallists, even after three losses, and the men finished third, but it was such a close third, with the men only losing one test by a significant margin.

Everyone struggled with consistency in the elements, and Queensland actually performed better than most!

The Sides were held at Yokine District Bowling Club (Perth, WA) over four days, April 9-12, and for a decade or more, it’s been mostly a battle for supremacy between Queensland and NSW. The Maroons went into the championships with a tweaked side showing both proven form and confidence.

The men had a title to defend, the women were runners up last year, and Queensland wanted to keep it’s “best state” status.

It wasn’t to be though, the Blues were too strong, their women going through undefeated, and men coming from behind when the chips were down, giving NSW a clean

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sweep of 2015 Aussie Sides, the coveted Alley Shield and Marj Morris Trophy, and the Overall Best Performed State Shield.

The cream always rises Going into the final round against Western Australia, the Maroons women were in fifth place and didn’t expect a podium finish.

“Of course we’re disappointed not to finish in the top spots, we play finesse bowls, and it didn’t quite come off in the wet and blustery conditions, we will definitely work on this aspect of our game,” state coach Bill Cornehls said Nathan Rice and Pamela Rowe were declared Queensland’s players of the series.

We’ll have to get (Visit BA website better at playing on For full results.)

Interstate different greens, and Competition handling conditions The other news we’re not used to. forgood Queensland

But a strong 69-35 win, and results from the other matches going our way, saw the women catapulted into second place and a silver medal, with the second highest number of rink wins behind NSW.

The Queensland men’s campaign was impacted by a consistent drive to the line by South Australia and the Blues, the result not going NSW’s way until the end of the seventh and final round.

The Maroon men’s final total was 11 points and 11.5 rinks, four wins and three losses, to finish behind NSW and SA.

may 2015

was bringing home the Leigh Bishop-Ted Singleton Shield on Aussie Sides warm up day, a semi-regular test series played against Tasmania.

The men lost the first game 51-59 but came back in the afternoon with a 73-54 victory, the tie-break resolved in Queensland’s favour with a 60-36 win over Tasmania in their Aussie Sides clash.

The women also a played two warm up tests against Tassie, winning 55-54 and 65-46.

PHOTOS: Above: Sevens chairman Owen Bradley and games director Peter Doherty; New Farm’s Eileen Swanson and Wendy Peach; Salisbury’s Max Adams and John Caton.

PHOTOS MAIN PAGE: Main Page: SEVENS winners, Div 1, New Farm Lightning, back row, Ray O’Brien, Dean Merlo, Steve Cooper, Eileen Swanson, Tim Swanson, front, Garry Ryan; Brett Merkel.

Far column, Div Open 60+ winners Sandgate Ibis, Div 3 Ipswich Miners, Div 5 Southport Stingrays, Div 5/60+ Bribie Island Thunder.

Photos courtesy Wendy Peach.

LIGHTNING STRIKES IN 7s SHOWDOWN New Farm claims coveted Premier 7s Div 1 crown The $107,000 Aero Bowls Premier 7s has seen more than 1000 bowlers compete in 147 teams, playing more than 800 games of bowls on 2400 rinks around south-east Queensland, over 12 weeks.

“Congratulations to all winners and competitors in the fastest growing bowls competition in Australia!” Premier 7s chairman Owen Bradley said.

2015 SEVENS champs are: Division 1: New Farm “Lightning”

Division Open/60+: Sandgate “Ibis” Division 3: Ipswich “Miners”

Division 5: Southport “Stingers” Division 5/60+: Bribie Island “Breakers” The geographical spread of the winners reflects the inclusivity of the competition; clubs of any size can compete at a level tagged to Pennant status, and pitched at ability.

The Sevens comp exploded in 2015, with some divisions having eight different sections, with six teams in each.

Finals were spread over two weekends, with semis and grand finals played on March 29 at Bramble Bay, both clubhouse and greens in immaculate condition.

With a singles, pairs and fours rubber in each game (seven players), two rink wins heralded victory.

Sandgate Div 1 player Terry Brady went into the final never having lost a Singles rubber in two years of Sevens, however, he

said New Farm’s Brett “Merky” Merkel had “played too well” in the final, helping secure Div 1 glory for the “Lightning”.

Sandgate Ibis won Open 60+, overcoming the formidable Salisbury to claim back-toback titles, “proving last year wasn’t a fluke”, said Ian Scrivener, from the proud centenarian club.

In the Div 3 final, Southport Stingers, also with 100 years of history, won the singles, but Ipswich Miners won the fours, and the win came down to the Pairs, the Miners Daryl Knight finding perfect line and weight on the final bowl of the game.

“It’s the best thing that’s ever happened for our club,” Ipswich skip Knight said.

Southport also featured in the Div 5 final, Grant Tull fighting hard for his 31-27 singles win, achieving the crucial second rubber in his side’s triumph over Helensvale Hawks.

In Div 5/60+, Pine Rivers Pirates were the most likely to take the title, but Bribie Island Breakers created a boil-over win, taking the fours 19-18, and the pairs 22-19.

There was nothing but praise for the two volunteers who take on the headache of organizing and building Premier 7s, chairman Owen Bradley and games director Peter Doherty and their committee, sponsors Aero Bowls and BCiB Insurers, support clubs Helensvale, Pine Rivers and Wynnum Manly Leagues, and finals sponsor Bramble Bay.

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STATE CH

T

he 2015 Queensland Championships could provide some of the tightest games for many years with many of the state’s best and most consistent bowlers lining up to impress their mates and the selectors.

1 Ryan Bester (Broadbeach)

Around 350 bowlers will converge on the Sunshine Coast from May 8 to 18 to challenge each other and themselves.

While many will compete in the pairs, triples, fours and over 60s pairs, the majority of bowlers will have their eyes firmly focussed on the ultimate prize – a singles championship title.

Bester has many titles against his name, including a silver medal when he represented Canada at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Since being in Queensland, he has added to his haul by winning last year’s singles championship. He knows what he needs to do to win and is considered by some to be this year’s favourite.

And judging by the 2015 line up, the majority of matches should be exhilarating and hard to pick.

Former Queensland champs, state and national reps, Commonwealth Games medallists and world champions are among the top bowlers to grace the greens. It could be anyone’s game for the taking.

Queensland coach Bill Cornehls said this year’s line up of potential champions was among the best he had seen.

The draw was packed with “stars” who were expected to do very well, but there was also a large number of skilled and consistent bowlers who who could easily upset the applecart

Troy Somerville (Coolum Beach) Somerville is a former New South Wales state player and has been a member of the Australian youth side in the past. He has been in Queensland for three years now and will be looking to collect a state title. If you underestimate him as an opponent, you can kiss your game goodbye.

Gail Waitai (Broadbeach)

“Looking at this year’s draw, I’d have to say just about anyone could claim the top spots,” Cornehls said.

Waitai has been a very consistent player for the past several years. She won the women’s singles championships in 2005 and 2010, and the women’s pairs in 2014. She is also a former state player and representative player in the over 60s. Waitai is a strong performer in competitions and wants a position on the winner’s dais again.

“Obviously we have state players and Australian representatives in the mix so you would expect them to be at the top of their game.

“But we also have some players who might be overlooked by many people but they could still do some damage by sneaking up on the champion players and taking the top spots.”

The Bowls Queensland State Championships will be held at Tewantin Noosa, Buderim, Pacific Paradise, Caloundra, Coolum Beach and Mooloolaba bowls clubs.

Visit the Bowls Queensland website at www.bowlsqld.org/Events.

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May 8 -18

Bolivia Millerick (Caloundra) One of Queensland’s youngest state competition winning skips, Millerick has been in the fours championship winners’ circle in 2013 and 2014.

She also played well in the recent Trans-Tasman side in New Zealand and is a member of the Australian development side. She has tasted success and has the drive to do well at this year’s 2 championships.

Adam White (Helensvale) Former Tasmanian, White came to Queensland in the middle of last year. He was one of the top players for Tasmania and is well known at his new base in Helensvale. He will be using these championships to show his new state what he can do.

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Kristy Thatcher (Tweed Heads)

Kurt Brown (Pine Rivers)

Thatcher has been a consistent state player for a while, has been successful in the Champion of Champions and is a former Australian development squad representative. She will be wanting to get her name on a state championship singles trophy.

The current holder of the triples title as skip, Brown has had some success in state events. He has recently represented the state and will be eyeing the 2015 championships as an opportunity to move his game up a notch and go deep into this competition.

may 2015

HAMPS 12

Sunshine Coast the place to be this winter

TOP TALENTS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN 2015

Dean McWhinney (South Tweed) A recent state rep, McWhinney is a consistent player who recently won the Cementco pairs. He has been knocking on the door for a state title for some time, and will be wanting to add a singles win to his name.

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Kiani Andersen (Kawana)

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Yvonne Lovelock (Helensvale) Lovelock is a strong club player and a State Pairs/Fours winner in 2011 but has not managed to achieve a state singles title. She has been fighting hard to improve her bowls and will be looking to make more of a mark in this competition.

A state, under 25 and district sides representative player and has had Champion of Champions experience, Andersen will be keen to add a singles title to her resume. She is developing into a consistent draw shot player.

This means her consistency will provide her with plenty of bowls around the area in games and this could assist to add a singles championship win to her resume.

Tracy Foster (West Toowoomba) Very successful in the Downs district competitions, Foster also won the national Champion of Champion pairs last year and the state pairs in 2013. She is a steady player who will be giving her all in this year’s competition.

Jamie Anderson (Capalaba) Anderson is a very competitive player, especially known for his focus and concentration in singles events. He is regularly among the top finishers and took the state singles title in 2010 and pairs in 2011. He will want to be getting back on top this year.

Of course it will be far from plain sailing for any of these talented 12, with a host of sharks circling the waters at the Sunshine Coast, including Brett Wilkie, Lynsey Clarke, Sean Baker, Julie Keegan, Robbie Wild, Sean Ingham, Ester Regan, Natasha Jones, and the list goes on and on. One thing is for sure...it’s going to make for a cracking competition!

If sun, surf, sand and bowls is your idea of the perfect vacation, look no further. Winter bowls on the Sunshine Coast is just the thing for you.

More than 1000 bowlers are expected to take part in the iconic 11-day Sunshine Coast Bowls Carnival, celebrating its 53rd year in 2015.

While many local clubs host their own bowls events during the winter carnival season, the official Sunshine Coast Bowls Carnival from July 7 to 17 is played across the region and is considered the jewel in the crown.

The competition comprises more than 10 events and boasts a prize pool of $15,000.

Games will be mainly open or mixed, and will include a half day open event of two, three and four bowl pairs.

Event organiser Barry Sullivan said bowlers should start putting their teams together now to ensure a spot, although entries will remain open until the evening before the first day of play to ensure as many people as possible can take part.

The Sunshine Coast Bowls carnival will be held at various clubs across the region, including Caloundra, Pelican Waters, Nambour, Coolum, Tewantin, Buderim and Club Maroochy.

If this isn’t enough to satisfy your appetite for bowls, there are a number of complementary events hosted by individual clubs on the Sunshine Coast as part of the wider winter carnival from June 15 to the end of July.

2015 Sunshine Coast Winter Carnival Calendar

► Saturday & Sunday, May 30-31 $6500 Buderim Prestige Men’s Fours

► Saturday, July 18 – Friday, July 24

► Monday, June 15 – Monday, July 6 $30,000 Mooloolaba Bowls Bonanza

► Sunday, July 19 $2100 Hinterland Mixed Fours

► Friday, June 19 – Saturday, June 27 $9400 Club Maroochy Carnival Prelude ► Friday, June 26- Sunday, June 28 $16,000 Mooloolaba Invitation Men’s Fours

$9100 Caloundra City Carnival

► Saturday, July 25 – Wednesday, July 29 $7500 Pelican Waters, Caloundra RSL Entry forms and further info can be found in the Sunshine Coast Carnival magazine or on the Sunshine Coast Lawn Bowls website; sunshinecoastlawnbowls.com.au.

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DISTRICT SIDES SHOWDOWN 2015 FEEL THE RUSH It’s Bowls Queensland’s biggest event of the year, more than 700 elite bowlers from BQ’s 21 districts, challenging each other in a spirit of competition and camaraderie (May 3-6).

The main goal is to be No 1 district in the state, and there are enough upsets each year from the minnows to keep the big fish humble.

District Sides is the soul of Queensland bowls, where districts select their 16 best men, and 12 best women, to battle for the Harry Wright Memorial Shield (men) and the Val Woodward Perpetual Shield (women).

each year, reviving and renewing the side’s fortunes, giving them the advantage.

(Since 2002, only one other district’s name has been etched on to the men’s shield, Brisbane North, four times out of 14.)

In the women’s comp, a blazing Bundaberg district almost denied defending champs Sunshine Coast a back-to-back title last year.

The Bundy girls faltered only at the final hurdle, losing to Mackay, while the Sunny Coast girls won against Cunningham, breaking through for a boilover win in the last few ends of District Sides 2014.

The men will play at three venues, Coolum Beach, Pacific Paradise and Tewantin Noosa (due to there being no four-green venues on the Sunshine Coast. the only four-green clubs in Queensland are Bribie Island, Broadbeach and Tweed Heads.)

The women will play at Club Maroochy and Caloundra.

The Sides sort themselves into five finals groups for the last day of play (Wed May 6), depending on the run of the ladder at the end of the first three days.

The 2015 host district will take no Side for granted this year, in their quest for a hat trick.

The Division 1-5 finals are played at five different clubs (the District Sides host clubs; the men and women play separately during the rounds, but finals day together).

“We go away with the Shield, but we are winners all of us, we appreciate all of you country teams coming, we have enjoyed your company very much, we’d love to see you next year.”

There are more than 300 bowlers supporting the women’s comp, with 20 out of 21 BQ districts fielding a team (North West women will cheer for their men from afar).

Gold Coast Tweed have won seven of the past 10 men’s titles, manager Mullens putting it down to new juniors coming into the sport on the Gold Coast

More than 400 men line up, playing a 22-district comp (the host district fields a second team to avoid byes).

The Div 1 final will be played at Tewantin-Noosa, where the top four men’s and women’s sides will have an eyes on many things, their own game, each other, and the margins.

Men’s manager Bob Mullens from Gold Coast Tweed summed up the spirit of District Sides, in accepting the 2014 Shield.

May 3 -6

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Will it be your district’s turn to raise the District Shield this year?

Will it be your turn?

5 1 0 2

SUNSHINE COAST BOWLS CARNIVAL $15 entry fee, per player per event.

$15,000 TOTAL PRIZE MONEY All games commence at 8.45 am unless otherwise stated. $1400

Tuesday 7th July First 42 teams

CALOUNDRA

Wednesday 8th July First 28 teams

PELICAN WATERS

$1800

Thursday 9th July First 42 teams

CLUB MAROOCHY

$1400

Friday 10th July First 32 teams

NAMBOUR

$1400

Saturday 11th July First 40 teams

COOLUM

Sunday 12th July First 42 teams

TEWANTIN NOOSA

$1400

Open Pairs, - 4 games x 12 ends, 2x2x2x2 pairs

Monday 13th July First 32 teams 12 noon start

BUDERIM

$800

Open Pairs, - 12 noon start, 3 games x 12 ends, 1 x 2 bowl, 1 x 3 bowl, 1 x 2x2x2x2

Tuesday 14th July First 42 teams

CALOUNDRA

$1400

Mixed Pairs, - 4 games x 12 ends, 242 pairs

Wednesday 15th July First 42 teams

CLUB MAROOCHY

$2000

Mixed Fours, 4 games x 12 ends,

Thursday 16th July First 36 players Next 36 players

NAMBOUR COOLUM

$2000

Open Mixed Singles, Qualifying, - 5 games x 13 ends

Friday 17th July All qualifiers 8.30am start

BUDERIM

Mixed Pairs, - 4 games x 12 ends, 2x2x2x2 pairs Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Open 2 bowl Triples, - 4 games x 16ends Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Open Pairs, - 4 games x 12 ends, - 242 pairs Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Mixed Pairs - 4 games x 14 ends, - 3 bowl pairs Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$1400

Men’s Pairs, - 4 games x 12 ends, 2x2x2x2 pairs Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Skip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lead . . . . . . . . 2nd . . . . . . . . . 3rd . . . . . . . . . .Skip . . . . . . . . . . .

Player 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Player 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$2000

Open Mixed Singles, Knockout, 8.30 am start

Please make cheques payable to S.C.D.M.B.A. Please post entry form and fees to: Winter Bowls, PO Box 1067 Cotton Tree, Qld 4558 Barry Sullivan - Email: barryg.sullivan@bigpond.com - Phone: 0427 138 005 Tony Austin - Email: tonray@spiderweb.com.au - Phone: 0417 799 721 Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Email:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Postal Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phone: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

VISIT www.sunshinecoastlawnbowls.com.au to download entry forms,view registrations & venues.

SUNNY FUTURE AHEAD FOR PROACTIVE QLD CLUBS NEW BOWLS QUEENSLAND PARTNER READY TO SAVE QUEENSLAND CLUB THOUSANDS ON POWER EACH YEAR A Queensland solar energy provider says he can save bowls clubs thousands of dollars a year by connecting them to renewable energy and undertaking a detailed power-use audit.

Bowls Queensland preferred partner Australian Solar Power Consultants has already assisted two clubs in the Sunshine Coast hinterland to reduce their power bills and wants to help others with their electricity needs.

As an added incentive, the firm will become a game-day sponsor to any club that installs a system, with the number of days sponsored depending on the size of the system.

Further game-days will be sponsored when club members purchase a solar system of 5kW or more for their private home or business.

Australian Solar Power Consultants Director Fred Dickman said many clubs were missing out on big savings every year because they didn’t correctly investigate their appliance and lighting set-ups when calculating solar installation costs.

While a financial commitment was required to install a solar system, properly reorganising a club’s power use would cut energy bills and help pay for the panels and connections.

“Businesses too quickly reject putting in solar power because they look at the cost of installation and decide they can’t afford it,” Dickman said.

“But to make savings you have to look at the operations of a business in its entirety to reduce electricity costs and eliminate wastage.

“The savings you make are used to pay off the system. In some cases this can allow the system to be paid off in three to four years, without any money other than that generated by savings.”

Kilcoy Bowls Club treasurer Pauline Lawson said changing to solar power had proven a bigger financial benefit than they ever imagined.

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“Our electricity bill used to be about $3000 a quarter,” she said. “Since we changed to solar, it now comes in at under $1000 a quarter.

“We have also had the kitchen equipment upgraded and installed LED lights throughout the club.

“It has taken us about two years to get to this stage but it is well worth it.”

Dickman said Australian Solar Power Consultants would work with clubs to ensure they got the most out of their renewable energy.

Australian Solar Power Consultants have developed analysis software in partnership with a former electricity industry executive to help clubs accurately calculate the outlays and incomes associated with a solar power installation.

“It is very sophisticated and takes all the guess work out of what is affordable and how you can make your new system pay for itself,” he said.

“Many of the larger clubs could have as many as 100 fluorescent lights operating in their premises all day.

“This configuration could use up to 4,000 watts of power every hour. By changing to LED bulbs, you could usually at least halve power consumption for lighting.

“LEDs are also brighter and unlike all other light sources, produce less heat. That means you don’t need as many of them and the air conditioning doesn’t need to work as hard.”

He said bowls clubs were in an ideal position because of their operating hours.

A business that operates only five days a week and is closed on public holidays does not utilise their solar system for almost one third of the year.

“In our experience most clubs have high energy consumption 365 days a year, even on the days they may not be open, due to high refrigeration and cold room usage”.

Dickman said.

Dickman said he realised how beneficial solar power would be to Queensland’s bowls clubs after providing the Kilcoy Bowls Club solar system two years ago.

Not long after, he installed a similar system at Dayboro Bowls Club.

“I realised after seeing how much they saved by going solar that this was something that would benefit all bowls clubs,” he said.

“It is a chance to save money while also being an eco-friendly business in the community.”

Kilcoy treasurer Lawson said the board had sought several quotes before installing the solar equipment and had settled on Australian Solar Power Consultants because of their after sales support.

“They did more than just put panels on the roof,” she said. “They held our hand right through the process by helping us with costings and explaining everything in language we understood.”

From the Chair with John Dawson

NO UP-FRONT COSTS Australian Solar Power Consultants have developed a funding package specifically for bowls clubs to help them install a solar system with no up-front costs.

“We encourage clubs to make a deposit equivalent to the GST refund as that immediately covers 10 per cent of the cost,” Dickman said.

“We then structure payments so they are less than savings, making it cash-flow positive. The interest rate charges are well below normal commercial rates.

“We can also put together a financial package that will cover the costs of upgrading lights to more energy efficient lights and promote further savings”.

QUALITY COMPONENTS Australian Solar Power Consultants only use panels from Tier 1 manufacturers and European-made inverters. The switchgear is also of the highest German manufacture.

Installers are Clean Energy Council approved and come with a five year warranty on the installation, while manufacture warranties applies to all the components used.

Australian Solar Power Consultants also has plans to help promote bowls clubs in their local area, particularly regional areas. For more information go to our website; www.austsolarpower.com.au.

We have a dedicated area for Bowls Clubs and members where you can find more information and register your interest in either installing or updating your solar system.

Your new board is very keen to identify what key services you, our bowlers require from Bowls Queensland and how we can best meet your expectations.

How can Bowls Queensland best serve you?

Most town and city people are united in their love of seeing a bowls green in their neighbourhood, there’s nothing like that green space that speaks of tradition, outdoors, sport and community.

We want to get it right, respect the traditions, while embracing the future, protect all that is working in bowls, and redirect things that are not working, to give us all value for money going forward.

Will you have your say?

I look forward to your input, you can contact me by email, chair@bowlsqld.org CEO Doug Evans and I plan to visit all BQ districts so we can also hear, first hand, your concerns and suggestions.

Core business for a state organizing body is the representative side, and I was privileged to be at the 2015 Australian Sides at Yokine Bowls Club in Perth (April 9-12).

The weather was inclement, and Queensland’s fortunes waxed and waned, but at the end of the day, performances were close and solid.

I’m proud of our Queensland women’s accomplishment in winning SILVER, behind NSW, and with Queensland men’s third-place finish, behind NSW and South Australia.

The consolation prize for our Maroon men was their triumph in the Bishop-Singleton Sheild, a semi-regular three-test series played against Tasmania in the lead up to Australian Sides.

(There was nothing casual about this series, it was a dogfight, and Queensland men have now won the past three contests, held in 2009, 2011 and 2015.)

My next duty as your chairman was to support BQ’s Junior State Championships, hosted by Burnett Bowls Club in Bundaberg, with the support of Across the Waves Bowls Club for the girl’s singles sectional play.

I can’t say enough about how hard the BQ staff, committees and volunteers worked to make this event relevant and exciting for the players and families.

The atmosphere was positive and the standard of junior bowls in Queensland just keeps getting better. Congratulations to all participants.

This month will be a busy one for bowls in Queensland, starting with the Anzac test series (May 1-2), where a BQ Chairman’s XII will challenge an Australian Defence Forces combined side.

This will be followed by more than two weeks of exciting bowls action on the Sunshine Coast, with Queensland District Sides (May 3-6), followed immediately by 10 days of Queensland State Championships (May 8-18).

From a personal point of view, I would like to thank the clubs and districts that supported my bid to lead your new board as its chairman, and as I said at the AGM in March, I will work tirelessly for the betterment of all bowlers in this state.

If I haven’t met you already, I would love to meet you at one of these upcoming events, or by email, as the year progresses, and I look forward to welcoming many familiar faces to my home district, Sunshine Coast, this month.

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Barry is the Greens Keeper at his local bowls club.

He believes the friendships made are more important than the final score.

Adapt or wither Proactive clubs like Capalaba and others are leading the way in future-proofing our sport.

With my long association with the hospitality industry, I have sadly seen the old adage “adapt and grow or wither” come true far too often for many bowls clubs.

alongside their existing bowls, gaming and dining facilities.

At the same time, they have gone out of their way to promote bowls in their area and to attract other clubs to their greens. They have employed a part-time bowls coordinator to develop and promote their game, including competition, social and barefoot versions.

Those in the business of providing hospitality, community or sporting services know too well the wants and needs of their customer base are at best fluid and what worked to bring in new clientele or members a If we were to take few years ago might an honest look at the not be as popular today. reasons for club closures over

Bowls clubs are the past decade or so, we might not immune to this finally stop trying to convince challenge and if we were to take ourselves there is nothing to an honest look at be done to turn around the the reasons for club closures over the past decline. decade or so, we might finally stop trying to convince They also ourselves there is nothing to work with the local schools to be done to turn around the teach students the game, and decline. encourage them to take up There are many things we the sport for competition and can do to encourage more fitness. people, particularly in the 20 to Capalaba’s ambition is to 40 age group, to take up our convert barefoot bowlers wonderful sport and breathe to competitive players and new life into our clubs and continually grow membership, ensure their long-term viability. while providing other services The case of the Capalaba to attract families, friends and Sports Club in Redland Shire, the general community. south east of Brisbane, is Capalaba calls it “future just one example of where a proofing” their club. Whatever management committee and they call it, Capalaba needs members are looking to the to be congratulated for taking future. their future into their own hands They have embraced a and not sitting idly by hoping 10 year expansion program things will get better. aimed at making their club an You can read more about integral part of the community.

Capalaba’s story in an This includes the additions upcoming issue of Queensland of a medical centre, gym Bowler magazine and aquatic facilities to go

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B S C

>> TAYLOR BOWLS SUPER CHALLENGE FINALS 2015 <<

Mooloolaba men mine back-to-back gold, while Tweed Heads women topple top-of-ladder Kawana They say a bad dress rehearsal can be a good omen and it was for Mooloolaba Snappers in the Super Challenge Gold finals (March 28-29, Algester).

“We lost on the Saturday against Musgrave Hill so we changed the team around a bit and turned the tables on the Sunday, we snuffed them out by winning the singles, we didn’t actually finish the second Pairs game because we didn’t need to…” Mooloolaba men’s manager Jim See said.

Kawana Thunder dominated the Super Challenge women’s comp in all divisions, but unbelievably went home from finals weekend without a medal.

In the Kawana versus Tweed Heads Gold final, cool-hand Tweed fours skip Diana Cunnington asked triples counterpart Wendy Wilson to slow the pace, so they could work in tandem towards the ultimate prize.

(In Super Challenge, the women play two rubbers, only, triples and fours; the men play five, singles, 2 x pairs, triples and fours.)

“We were well down in the fours, and I decided to use my head and ask Wendy to slow down the Triples, so we could back each other up,” Di said.

“We finally got our act together and came back to within two shots of (Kawana fours skip) Julie Keegan, Wendy was about 10 or 11 shots ahead.

“With one end to go, I was down five shots, but thanks to Wendy, they needed another

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six to win, and there’s no way we were giving them that…”

Kallangur men galloped through the Silver series undefeated, though there were a few frights, especially against Ferny Grove.

But it was Kallangur Pair Carlo Fellini, 81, and skip Ray Elford who saved the final in the last two ends, Paradise Point looked dangerous after their Singles win by former Queensland champ with hundreds of caps for the state Ray Glasser.

“Carlo and Ray held on in the Pairs for our third Super Challenge win, we’ve been in it since it started,” Kallangur men’s president Ken Small said.

Cleveland women won not only Super Challenge Silver (against Kawana), but also Bronze Super Challenge against Swifts at Tweed Heads.

“Everything just fell into place, we had the players, the keen-ness, the good camaraderie,” Cleveland manager Gwen Barter said.

Nambour men went through the Bronze series undefeated, and in the final, after a win in the singles and one pair, it was the hard-fought win in triples that broke the back of Carina Leagues, and the win was Nambours.

“Over the moon,” said undefeated singles champ Graham Morton.

(Thanks to Neil McLean for Taylor Bowls team pics.)

Pictured page 18: Main Photo: GOLD winners Mooloolaba, back from left, Neale Hall, Don Hebberd, Danny Keating, Paul Henricks, Jay Globits, John Clarke — front, Col Pritchard, John Thain, Steve Garforth, Jim See, Tim Diedricks, Wes Hedges, Lou Dalakis, Michael Sorrensen.

Pink Ladies: Yvonne Yaxley, Louise Witton, Noelene Dutton Middle pic: Paradise Point Dolphins, Ken Roberts, Troy Corba, life member Geoff Maskell.

Bottom pic: Mooloolaba’s Jim See, Algester chairman Allen Jamieson, Cleveland’s Gwen Barter.

Pictured page 19: Main Photo GOLD winners Tweed Heads, from left, Kristy Thatcher, Rosely Griffin, Valerie Young, Wendy Wilson, Christine Hawkins, Barbara Makin, Diana Cunnington, Alison Ebsworth, Hiroko Emura.

Middle pic: SILVER winners Cleveland, back row, Karen Goldsworthy, Kerry Heelass, Cathy Hume, front, Sandra Banks, Gwen Barter, Betty Clarke, Val Treschman, Kate Gibson, Joan Brotherton Bottom pic SILVER winners Kallangur, Wade Kimler, Michael Hitchcock, Jesse Slatter, Alan Slatter, Carlo Fellini, Robbie Taberner, Trevor Wright with mascot, Merv Hudson, Ray Elford, Dave French, Andrew Whyte, Peter Wilkinson, Mark Walter.

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B S C

>> TAYLOR BOWLS SUPER CHALLENGE FINALS 2015 <<

Top: BRONZE winners Cleveland, back row, Shirley Krauze, Kaye Freeman, Gail Newmarch, Suzan Carter, front, Gay Pezet, Lyn Ford, Maureen Swanson, Kay Smith, Marie Melon.

Above: BRONZE winners Nambour, back row, Allan Owen, Bob Smith, Glen Whitney, Neil Brown, middle, Ian Hatch, Len Hughes, Barry Langton, Daniel Hollingworth, Anthony Green, front, Michael Thorogood, Derek Tomkins, manager Rex Thorogood, Robert Combes, Graham Morton.

Below: Algester hospitality crew, Jill Hikuroa happy with the service from Dianne Holden, Nevia Braiuka, BBQ chef Ted Braiuka and Len Holden.

Picture above (from top): Algester marker Les Walker and umpire Keith Walker (not related); Queensland Bowler umpire columnist Joan Brotherton with Cleveland teammates Kate Gibson and Sandra Banks; Kerry Mitchell supporting Kallangurâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s silver boys Allan Slatter and Dave French.; and Mooloolaba chairman Toni McDonnell with Neil Henricks, Mary Tanis and Jacky Williams.

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Bundy Bash - Juniors blitz state titles More than 70 elite junior bowlers came to Bundaberg (April 8-15) to have a crack at nine titles, looking to prove themselves in front of state selectors.

Here are some of their success stories: Binjour’s Brittanny Wiley, 16, finally got the break she deserved, winning her first state title skipping the Open Fours.

She made two state finals (winning gold and silver) and two semis.

2014 state junior rep Jesse Turnbull, 17, from Hamilton finally won his first – and last - state title, in the U18 Boys Singles.

Nicky Cahill, 12, from Bargara “concentrated” his way to gold in the U15 singles, defeating Helensvale’s Shane White, 13, who recently moved to Queensland from Tasmania. Cahill’s 96-year-old gran Margaret was delighted to have come up from Brisbane “to see Nicky on top”.

Capalaba’s Sophie Young, 16, won a well-deserved first state title in the U18 Girls Singles.

“My hardest game was against Taleah (2014 state rep Taleah Putney) in the second round,” Sophie said.

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“You need patience, persistence, and the right head space during a game, to win a state title.”

Jessie Cottell, 14, from Broadbeach is on track for her goal to one day play in a Commonwealth Games, winning two U15 titles, Girls Singles against bestie Rebecca Rixon, 14, from Kawana, and Combined Pairs, with North Dalby’s Jake Rynne, 11.

“This is my last year in U15 and I really wanted to win,” Jessie said.

Everton Park’s Bradley Lawson won state singles silver two days before his 18th birthday. The recent Year 12 graduate is on the job hunt for an apprenticeship, “something I can do with my hands”.

Urangan’s Jacinta Weier, 16, won silver in her first state final in the U18 Girls Singles, a break from Year 12 studies.

The experienced Nelson brothers from Wynnum Manly Leagues were “bookends” in the Open Triples gold, 10-year-old Kane on lead, Algester’s Mitch Mears, 16, second, and Jacob skip, bowling what his brother called “screamers” to get them out of jail time and again, securing the title with a breathtaking final draw shot.

“I was very, very happy with my game!”

Jacob Nelson, 16, said.

Three young guns from country areas showed explosive form, the Flegler brothers from North Dalby, Carl, 13, and Bradley, 11, and Shane Rideout, 11, from Biloela, impressive in achieving their first state title win, under skip Brittanny Wiley in the Open Fours.

The U18 Pairs titles went to Swifts dynamic duo Zac Adams, 15, and Liam Stephan, 16, and the talented Rixon sisters from Kawana, Rebecca and Connie Leigh, 17, playing together for the last time in U18s.

Justin Cribbin, 17, from Jubilee got the nickname “silver spoon” for his three runners up medals this year, under skip Tyler Pettigrew, 17, in the Open Fours and Open Triples, and Pairs, leading for Dale McWhinney-Shillington, 16.

Huge credit to Burnett Juniors organiser Des Kemp and his team, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes supporting BQ to ensure the championships ran smoothly and everyone went home happy.

Pictured above: State Juniors 2015 Singles finalists, Shane White, Nicky Cahill, Jessie Cottell, Rebecca Wilson, Jacinta Weier, Sophie Young, Jesse Turnbull, Bradley Lawson.

Nine titles

Junior State Championships

decided in 8 days

“ ”

Open Fours – Carl Flegler, Shane Rideout, Bradley Flegler, Brittanny Wiley (s) def Liam Stephan, Justin Cribbin, Dale McWhinney-Shillington, Tyler Pettigrew 22-18

You need patience, persistence, and the right head space… to win a state title.

Open Triples – Kane Nelson, Mitchell Mears, Jacob Nelson def Justin Cribbin, Jesse Turnbull, Tyler Pettigrew 13-12.

U18 Girls Pairs – Rebecca Rixon and Connie Leigh Rixon def Jessica Srisamruaybai and Brittanny Wiley 23-10 U18 Boys Pairs – Zac Adams and Liam Stephan def Justin Cribbin and Dale McWhinney-Shillington 21-17 U15 Combined Pairs – Jessie Cottell and Jake Rynne def Sean Gillis and Nicky Cahill 15-10 U18 Girls Singles – Sophie Young def Jacinta Weier 21-10 U18 Boys Singles – Jesse Turnbull def Bradley Lawson 21-6 U15 Girls Singles – Jessie Cottell def Rebecca Rixon 21-14 U15 Boys Singles – Nicky Cahill def Shane White 21-14.

(Full results from State Juniors 2015 can be found on BQ website Events, April. See more photos and stories on BQ Facebook, easy access from the BQ webpage, click on the Facebook link.)

Clockwise from top left, Nicky Cahill and his gran Margaret (U15 Singles); Connie Leigh Rixon and sister Rebecca (U18 Pairs); Mitch Mears and brothers Kane and Jacob Wilson (Open Triples); Jess Srisamruaybai and Shervawn Wilson; bottom, Brittanny Wiley, Bradley Flegler, Shane Rideout, Carl Flegler (Open Fours); bottom left, Tyler Pettigrew, left , Kalib Morgan and Mitchell Weier.

Under-18 Pairs winners, Zac Adams and Liam Stephan.

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Thumbs up to Kurrawa Surf Club Public “thumbs up” to Kurrawa Surf Club and Pacific Fair Shopping Centre from a grateful and appreciative Broadbeach Bowls Club.

Pacific Fair donated a valuable defibrillator to Broadbeach and two Kurrawa life guards, Rob and Jeff, ducked over to the bowls club to give staff and bowlers a lesson in how the defibrillator can save a life.

“It’s not the first time this great surf club has assisted the bowls club, and on behalf of the Broadbeach board and management, I’d like to sincerely thank Kurrawa for its support and assistance,” Broadbeach Bowls Club secretary-manager Colleen Gilbert said.

“It is truly valuable to see the clubs community working hand in hand.”

South Toowoomba Prestige Men’s Fours South Toowoomba Bowls Club is holding its $4000 Prestige Men’s Fours on May 23-24.

Nominations $240/team, first 20 teams to pay deposits accepted, close May 16.

Five games of 15 ends, time limit. (3 games Saturday, 2 games Sunday).

Anzac test series BQ state development officer Charlie Harkness has been organising the annual Chairman’s XII Anzac Memorial Test Series, to be held at Hamilton Bowls Club on Friday and Saturday May 1-2.

The team is a mix of stars of our sport, 60+ reps, and disability bowlers, which is pretty much the mix Defence Force brings to the annual clash.

Queensland won last year’s inaugural series 2-1 and Defence is out to turn the tables this year!

The Chairman’s XII team for 2015 is Gail Waitai, Patti Elliott, Scott DeJong, Lynsey Clarke, Teresa Armitage, Nathan Appleton, Ann Russell, Ken Luck, Gail Dellar, Clive Williams, Chrissie Pavlov and Kerry Flint.

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Australian Open Getaway Interstate bowlers are seeing this year’s Australian Open as an opportunity to combine playing in a prestigious bowls tournament with a family getaway to the beautiful Gold Coast.

Entries were set to close on April 13; however in the 11th hour over 400 entries came flooding in with just days to spare; many of those came from across the border.

Due to the significant amount of entries received in the final week, the closing date was extended by 11 days to leave the door ajar for anyone considering booking a spot in the nation’s premier national competition.

Queensland bowlers will have their work cut out ensuring locals retain the silverware, with thousands of interstate bowlers making the journey to the Gold Coast to compete for a slice of the $225,000 prize pool.

The family-friendly destination has not only appealed to keen bowlers from all around the world, but also their families, who will spectate during the event as well as indulging in some of the fun activities the Gold Coast offers.

Northmead’s Brett Hughes has entered the Australian Open with three close mates and has a number of worthy reasons to

may 2015

be looking forward to competing in the 13-day festival of bowls.

their families will also explore the Sunshine State.

“I think the most appealing aspect of this year’s Australian Open was the location, and the fact that there is no qualifying and you are guaranteed a certain amount of games,” Mr Hughes said.

“I think the families will come and watch a bit of bowls, however they are all looking forward to a nice relaxing holiday,” Mr Hughes said.

“My family love going to the Gold Coast, so a chance to compete against the best bowlers in the world, and have a great time with your mates and family is an added bonus.”

Aside from the plans to etch their names onto the winner’s trophies, the four bowlers and

“We have already booked our tickets to the theme parks and we are planning a night at Dracula’s Theatre, and a day at the races, when we are not bowling.”

The 2015 Australian Open will be an experience like no other; make sure you get there from June 13-25 to be a part of the action.

DEVELOPING BOWLS Why club visits?

Some of the things the BQ development team can do for your club are: 1) Bring the promotional vehicle and support, if you have a local festival and you want to raise your club or town’s profile in the sport of lawn bowls.

2) Help set up a bowls programme in local schools, to help your club build from the bottom up.

3) Help you organise and support a Come and Try Day and/or support you to take advantage of funding and grants opportunities.

4) Work through your club’s viability with you and offer advice and insight into how you can maximize use BQ services like the website, Facebook, coaching, umpire training, etc.

5) Give you advice and support on all sorts of paperwork issues that can feel overwhelming until you get a helping hand, for example, grant applications and disability bowler classifications.

For example, at the recent State Junior Championships at Bundaberg, I was able to assist a bowler at Burnett Bowls Club to get her classification underway for the upcoming 2015 State Multi Disability Championships (Aug 30 – Sept 2) She knew she had to do it, she just hadn’t quite got around to figuring out how to apply, which paperwork to fill out, etc.

She could have phoned the BQ office, but I was right there, and she took advantage of that, which is absolutely the right thing to do.

It’s the development team’s job to be helpful, please ask us when we’re out and about.

If we don’t have the answer, we’ll find out; we take seriously our role to be cost effective, useful and relevant to our bowlers, clubs and districts.

Also while at State Juniors this month, I was able to help get started an urgent start-up grant and funding application

for host club Burnett.

The club wants to save water and save money by installing two massive water tanks, and by having the size of pipework into the club reduced.

The council will come on board, but only if the club can find the money to buy and install their tanks by the end of June.

“We need about $10,000 to buy and install these massive tanks, 31,800 litres, but the goal is to save on water costs, especially during the dry months,” Burnett Bowls Club chairman Ken Gear said.

As a matter of urgency, I will assist Burnett to apply for some kind of community, government or grant funding, to achieve such a worthwhile goal.

Until next month,

Greg Caulley

BQ state development team coordinator

Australia’s richest pairs tournaments.

$73,000 in prizemoney Two marquee events on the Australian bowls calendar attracting international and national players.

Moama Bowling Club’s 2015 Mens and Ladies Classic Pairs.More than $70,000 prizemoney on offer.

Entry forms for these two supreme events played along side the mighty Murray River are now available.

The $33,000 Ladies Premier Pairs Classic 29 Aug. – 1 Sep. 2015.

The $40,000 Mens Prestige Pairs Classic 25 Oct. – 28 Oct. 2015.

Applications and enquiries should be directed to Moama Bowling Club’s Sports Administrator Zane Mikin-Laurie zane@moamabowlingclub.com.au (Entry to these tournaments is by application only) (Tier 3 Bowls Australia rating points apply to both events)

6 Shaw Street, Moama NSW 2731 Freecall 1800 806 777 www.moamabowlingclub.com.au ABN 58001046939

may 2015

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with Rino Parrella

Chinwagging There have been some big changes since the bowling heydays of the 70s, just ask your local greenkeeper.

Greenkeepers are involved at the grass roots of our sport and this month, I’d like to share some views about the future of our sport, from bowlers I’ve met in the course of my green-keeping duties.

I recently visited my good friend and bowling partner Neale Kretschman in Caloundra.

Neale was a dedicated bowler and owned Kretschman Bowls and Billiards Store in Toowoomba for 12 years.

This is what our latest discussion brought up, as we noted how bowls played on live grass is diminishing, fewer green keeper’s jobs are required, and many clubs are having difficulties keeping the doors open.

We took a nostalgic visit to the now-defunct West Caloundra Bowls Club, the proudly tended green now has a sandpit in the middle of it, the clubhouse now used as a gym.

We then visited the lovely Pelican Waters Bowls Club at Golden Beach, only to find out they have replaced their stunning grass greens with synthetic.

queensland bowler

may 2015

Most of us will remember the 1980s song “Video killed the Radio Star”…

I think and We’ve also seen believe bowls will indoor cricket survive, but we have to get and aerobics kill squash centres. smarter sooner rather than Is bowls later. We can’t sustain myriad heading the same small inner city clubs, bowlers way? have to be proactive and So then our minds turned from My answer amalgamate with other from watching the greens to bowls in general, what decades roll out under clubs. has changed for us since the boom I asked why and the response was of course about cost, with grass greens expensive to maintain. (I don’t know if that’s true over a 10-year time frame, but that’s a story for another day…)

times of the 1970-90s..?

It’s not as if we haven’t tried to move with the times…

Here are some of the changes that we green keepers have seen: We have changed the turf we play on, we have changed to coloured uniforms, coloured bowls, narrow bowls, mufti bowls, barefoot bowls, and night-bowls, even changed the rules, and introduced new formats of the game.

28

20 years of challenging times

my mower blades is that the changes first became obvious in the 1990s, as the older generation died off and wasn’t replaced.

Retirees suddenly had more options, Internet, cheap travel, and they were working longer.

With the GFC impacting on superannuation funds, and a low interest rate environment, pensioners were obliged to become even more frugal.

Continued next page ►

► Meanwhile Australia continued to get more expensive, especially the cost of housing, and more retirees were called on by their dual-income offspring to help with grandchildren.

Beating the blues

Running a bowls club became more expensive, with club houses aging and requiring upgrades and maintenance, and more red tape to deal with, including insurance, rates, water, electricity, wages and compliance with all sorts of new statutes.

Drink driving has curbed bowler habits (a good thing) and pokies haven’t been a salvation for all.

From what I’ve seen and heard from fellow green keepers, many coastal towns without much competition are doing quite well, but for inner-city clubs in close proximity, the challenge is great.

What about our trade?

So from a selfish point of view, where does this leave us green keepers, in today’s changing world?

I believe long entrenched established jobs like green keeping will fall victim to new technology.

Governments want jobs creation, but they hand out grants for synthetic greens, not water bills, taking away green keeper jobs, robbing Peter to pay Paul.

(If a club is struggling to afford even a part-time green keeper, I don’t think a government-funded synthetic green will save the day, longer term, and once our green keeper skills are gone, how do we revive them?)

As more clubs change to synthetic, for those of us left behind, I see our full time 40-hour working week being reduced to a part-time or casual employment arrangement.

My fellow full-time greenies will most likely have to share their labour among multiple small clubs, and take a couple of outside private jobs as well, to continue in employment.

Jubilee Bowls Club continues to achieve!

The Club’s (Blue) 1st Division side won the Townsville Bowling Board of Control Pennant in fine style, the competition culminating on Sunday March 29, after six intense days of competition among the Townsville District clubs.

The competition went down to the absolute last bowl, with Jubilee three-shots up on the board, and five-shots down in the head

Erstwhile Jubilee skip, Jim “Colonel” Sanders drew the last bowl to within an inch to claim the shot, and a fourshot victory over a valiant runner-up, Thuringowa Bowls Club.

Pictured, from left, David Goode, Doug Kleinhans, Kev “Boots” Wellington, Greg Cuttriss, Jim “Colonel” Sanders, David Wells, Justin Cribbin, BQ development officer Tim Blake, Bill Roberts, Ernest “Bluey” Randall, Keith Bailey, Tony Ward, Ray Pendreigh.

BOWLS DOCTOR HANGS UP HIS TRAVELLING BOOTS

Contract green keeping will become increasingly common.

The green keeper’s crystal ball I think and believe bowls will survive, but we have to get smarter sooner rather than later.

We can’t sustain myriad small inner city clubs, bowlers have to be proactive and amalgamate with other clubs.

Yes, we’ll have to drive further to get a game, but do we just keep hanging on and hoping nothing changes in our lifetime, and seek to make it a someone else’s problem, or do we do something now?

Keep your club looking good, that’s what we green keepers do!

Strong membership with on-going renewal is attracted by good management and good looks, making your club look inviting, with good greens and multiple entertainment options.

And a final indulgence, if anyone at the ABC is reading Green Guru!

Bring back Jack High!

After almost 20 years on the road selling bowls equipment, Barry Cox is finally ready to hang up his well-worn boots.

Known in bowling circles as the Bowls Doctor, Barry says constantly living out of suitcases has become too much for him and it is time to retire.

But people more familiar with his work as a licensed bowls tester need not be concerned; he will continue to operate this side of his business from his Kawana workshop for many years to come.

It’s time to call it a day. I haven’t got it in me any more so at the end of June I will stop selling equipment and travelling

Cox said he started the travelling sales business five years ago, after spending 15 years on the road for other companies.

(It was one of the most hurtful things to happen to our sport, and one everyone still talks about today, around the greens, at the end of a tournament.)

While he enjoys meeting other bowlers, particularly those in the regions, he can no longer keep up the long hours and distances required to get to far-flung bowling communities.

Imagine if you could combine a show like Jack High with commentary from someone like Crackerjack comedian Mick Molloy?

“It’s time to call it a day. I haven’t got it in me any more so at the end of June I will stop selling equipment and travelling,” he said.

Surely it would be a big enough hit to blow other sports’ claims on “our” timeslot out of the water!

Well these are just some of the issues I hear discussed around the greens.

Any green keeping questions, just send an email to Bowls Queensland and it will be passed on to me.

Rino.

Before the end comes, Cox will be offering many going-outof-business discounts as well as one last trip to Toowoomba with a multitude of bargains.

“I decided to offer a sale to Toowoomba bowlers because they don’t have any bowls retailers nearby,” he said. “This will be their last chance to score some bargains.”

may 2015

queensland bowler

29

Curt Schatz

CLUB LAW

Workplace theft

partner mullins lawyers

What to do if you suspect an employee is dipping their hand in the till.

It does happen. You notice takings are down or there are discrepancies in the till receipts, or discrepancies in the stock control. It is not a one-off and you have your suspicion. What do you do?

Well, what you shouldn’t do is immediately jump to conclusions, make unsubstantiated accusations, point the finger of blame and, horror of horrors, dismiss an employee because you think that they are to blame.

Strip the emotion out of the situation and think carefully about how you are going to deal with the matter, in a way which will minimise risk, to both to you and the club.

• Procedures, policies and contract provisions must be followed.

If you have a policy or procedure with regard to the conduct of workplace investigations then it should be adhered to. I

Scope will be determined normally by the allegations.

Full and extensive

Accordingly, if the allegation is of theft, then that should be stated along with the amounts, dates, locations and incidents of theft.

The club should properly investigate the complaint, consider all documentation, and interview necessary witnesses.

In this scenario, cash and till receipts/ print outs, log on details, and duty rosters would all be necessary to consider.

It is critical that such a workplace investigation is conducted in a lawful and fair manner in order to avoid any potential for workers compensation claims, bullying claims, unfair dismissal, or any other sort of adverse actions, including discrimination claims, or industrial issues, or other disputes.

Staff on duty when there have been discrepancies should be interviewed, along with any relevant witnesses.

What does a fair investigation look like?

An employee should have an opportunity to understand and respond to the allegations.

What is procedural fairness?

An investigation must be: • Full and extensive; • Conducted fairly and without bias; • Employee must have an opportunity to understand the allegations and to respond to the allegations;

What is the scope of the investigation?

It is certainly recommended that you have such a policy or procedure which operates as a checklist, and also minimises any potential for getting things wrong.

If there is an employee whom you suspect, they should be suspended on pay whilst the matter is investigated.

A fair investigation has to be substantively and procedurally fair.

What precisely is it that the investigator has been asked to investigate? Has the investigator been asked to make recommendations and/or findings of fact?

Fairly and without bias Whomever is appointed as investigator should be impartial and independent, wherever possible.

Any allegations put to the employee under investigation must be clear, and the employee must be given the opportunity to respond to them.

Hints and tips for conducting an investigation Make the terms of reference clear to the investigator.

The allegations must be specific and clear and the person being investigated must be aware of the allegations.

Collecting evidence from an investigation The accused employee and any appropriate witnesses should be investigated and interviewed.

The accused employee should be afforded the right to have a support person accompany them, and you should record the interview either by Affidavit, Statutory Declaration or signed Statement.

Do not take into account third-hand information, accept other people’s assessments, or take into account subjective views.

Make findings of fact The standard of proof is the balance of probabilities.

This means that the investigator must be satisfied that it was more probable than not that the theft was committed by the employee.

Continued next page ►

Hospitality law requires the best heads in the business.

When it comes to legal advice for a club, you need more than just legal advice you need lawyers who know your industry.

With specialist divisions in hospitality and business services, we understand your industry and all its legal requirements.

We minimise your risk and help grow your business.

For more information contact: Curt Schatz, Partner

Level 21, Riverside Centre 123 Eagle Street, Brisbane Qld 4000 Telephone 07 3224 0230 cschatz@mullinslaw.com.au

30

queensland bowler

may 2015

Grants an inexpensive way to upgrade your club

by Col Clifford ► The reasons for reaching such a conclusion should be clearly and concisely set out, along with the reasons for preferring one person’s word over the other.

Make Recommendations The investigator should consider and weigh up: • Seriousness and scale of the theft, was it a one-off or repeated?

• Any mitigating factors?

• Length of service?

• Contrition/Admission?

• Impact of termination on employee?

Write a report Whilst not always possible it is preferable to provide a written report setting out: • Allegations

• Evidence

• Findings in fact • Recommendations The report should be issued to the employee, along with a show cause letter fixing a disciplinary hearing.

The show cause should set out the allegation, notification that a potential outcome may be dismissal, and advising of the entitlement to a support person.

If your bowls club hasn’t ever applied for a grant, then you’re missing out on the opportunity of making some improvements around your club without a great deal of cost.

Depending on whom you apply to, if successful, the grant you receive could leave you with no out-of-pocket expenses at all.

In the past 12 months, three Toowoomba bowls clubs have been very successful in receiving a grant from the Community Benefit Fund: Drayton Bowls club has been able to replace their old stove with a brand new six-burner oven, as well as purchasing new trestle tables, and a trolley to help move them around.

There are four rounds of applications each year, with closing dates at the end of May, August, November and February.

The next round will open in the middle of this month (April) and close on May 31.

With some thought and effort put into your application, the result should be a positive one for your club. (As the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!)

The South Toowoomba Bowls Club received enough money from their grant application to upgrade some furniture in their functions and gaming rooms.

And finally, Toowoomba City Bowls Club was able to purchase a new retractable shade system.

The Gaming Community Benefit Fund is Queensland’s largest one-off grants program, distributing about $49 million a year.

Not-for-profit community groups can apply for funding between a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $35,000.

For details and an application form, go to the Department of Justice and Attorney-General website, and click on the Gambling Community Benefit Fund link.

The Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing also have some grants available.

Contact the sports and recreation services advisor in your region for more details.

Disciplinary Hearing Once the investigation has been completed, a disciplinary hearing should be convened to consider the findings and recommendations and give the employee the opportunity to respond.

Having everything detailed in a report should make matters more streamlined and easier to progress.

Everything is contained in the report and it provides fair notice to the employee.

The employee should have the opportunity to respond, and then you can make the final decision.

It’s advisable to keep notes of what is said and to confirm the decision in writing to the employee.

Please contact either Alan Strain on (07) 3224 0323 or Curt Schatz on (07) 3224 0230 if you have any queries in relation to this matter.

may 2015

queensland bowler

31

Umpiring

with Joan Brotherton

MARKING THE CARDS Some of you may have noticed an error in last month’s umpiring column.

DR.3.2 Skips duties relating to scorecards (Law 40.1.9):

In a game of Fours, the second shall keep the score card (DR.3.2). Who signs the card at the completion of the game?

DR.3.2.1 In Singles; the marker is responsible for keeping, completing and dealing with the card (as per Law 42).

For Domestic Play in Australia, all duties relating to the scorecard set out in Law 40.1.7 (including keeping and completing the scorecard) shall be performed by:

In the Domestic Regulations Q&A on page 30 of the April Queensland Bowler, question 6 read:

The answer stated:

DR.3.2.2 In Pairs; the skip of each team.

At the end of the game, hand the score card to the skip, who should record on the score-card the time the game finished and then sign their own and the opposing skip’s score card (Law 40.1.7.5).

DR.3.2.3 In Triples; the skip of each team.

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For Domestic Play in Australia, a scoreboard cannot be used instead of a scorecard (Law 40.1.8).

All the above can be found on Page 120 of the Law Book and I do encourage you to read these Domestic Rules regarding the duties relating to the scorecard and scoreboard.

As most of you will be playing your Championships, District Sides and Pennant in the coming months, I am sure you will all agree that it is important that these duties are correctly performed according to the Laws of the Sport of Bowls and we can all enjoy our games knowing the correct procedures.

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The correct answer is: DR.3.2.4 In Fours; the second of each team.

I also draw your attention to a further Domestic Law relating to the following:

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DR.3.2.4 In Fours; the second of each team.

DR.3.1.1 The scoreboard may be updated at any time by any person but must be updated at least every second end and the Skip is responsible for ensuring it is correct as per the scorecard, except if the responsibility for the scorecard has been passed from the Skip to the Second in Fours as per DR.3.2.4 then the Second is responsible for the accuracy of the scoreboard.

BC

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32

queensland bowler

may 2015

Simply put an X where you think the missing jack was located in this picture, fill in your details below and send this page to:

Queensland Bowler Spot the Jack PO Box 476, Alderley 4051 The first correct entry drawn will receive a free set of Henselite bowls.

Winners can choose from a selection of models, colours and sizes.

Name..............................................................................................

Address........................................................................................... .......................................................................................................

State.........................................................Postcode........................

Daytime telephone........................................................................... *email.............................................................................................

Entries must be received by May 31. Winner will be announced in the July issue. Multiple entries allowed.

Original entry forms only, no photocopies accepted.

Graeme Burgess from Tugun

may 2015

queensland bowler

33

Coaching ­­- Shuey’s

Top Tips

DRIVE TO SURVIVE! Only a very small percentage of players possess a fast and accurate drive.

The drive is perhaps the most neglected shot ever practised.

Apart from his determination at training, his timing was exquisite.

Subsequently, only a very small percentage of players possess a fast and accurate drive.

His length of step was incredibly long for a man short in stature.

The greatest driver of all time, Rob Parrella, thrilled spectators wherever he played throughout the world, with his powerhouse drives regularly sending the jack flying into the grandstand.

Parrella’s timing when playing a drive was impeccable.

He crouched low to the ground and launched his whole body weight at his target at the point of release.

There was no need for any followthrough because his whole body was propelled off the mat.

He was so accurate he could, and often would, nominate what side of the jack he was going to hit.

Unbelievable!

So what was the secret to Parrella’s drive?

Simple. He practised that shot much more than anyone else in the world.

Jacks would continually fly off the rink whenever he trained.

As soon as he drew a close bowl to the jack – POW! Draw and drive, hour after hour, day after day, month after month.

With his commitment to be the best, it is no surprise he accumulated a whole collection of gold, silver and bronze Commonwealth Games medals.

He withheld his step until the very last moment, until his back-swing was complete, before launching his body off the mat with only a very short arm movement.

A key tip when playing a drive is to stay down on the shot and resist the temptation to pull out of the delivery as soon as the bowl leaves your hand. This especially applies when taking an extra step or two off the mat following your delivery.

By taking a much longer step than the draw shot, there should be a natural tendency to keep the forward momentum moving off the mat, but it’s important to keep the head and shoulders low and the follow-through off the mat in a semicrouched position.

Try taking two or three steps in this position prior to coming out of the delivery and standing up.

Just look at any player having a drive and you’ll see the common mistake of pulling up and out of the delivery as soon as the bowl is delivered.

Without a good follow-through, the chance of hitting the target is remote.

Like the running shot, I feel it’s best to aim at a spot alongside the target.

If your drive is fast enough, maybe you can aim straight at the target, but this is unlikely, especially on longer length ends.

Don’t try to drive too fast to begin with.

* *

* *

34

queensland bowler

may 2015

Work at improving your timing and varying when you begin your forward step rather than going for speed first up.

Good timing and accuracy is far more important than trying to be the fastest gun in the west.

When I first played singles for Australia against the then current World Singles Champion, Peter Belliss, I soon realised I needed to develop a good drive.

I sought advice from the best hitters in the game and tried all their theories.

Some worked for me, some didn’t.

I kept the good stuff and forgot the rest.

If you want to learn how to develop a great drive, find a coach you’re comfortable working with, or seek the advice from someone who possesses a fast and accurate drive, and learn from them.

The worst thing you can do is nothing.

Get your mind and body moving and go hunting for a good teacher.

I don’t believe it’s necessary to be good on both forehand and backhand.

If your timing is perfect and your speed is fast, developing a great drive on either forehand or backhand will suffice, if your bowl doesn’t turn at all.

If your drive is not that fast, I suggest you develop both forehand and backhand drives.

With regular practice, it’s not hard to improve your drive by at least 50 percent.

Find a good coach who knows how to teach the drive shot and you can expect a 100 percent plus improvement.

Go for it and good driving until next month!

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