On evening of Friday 22nd of November the Lorne Bowls Club’s new green was officially declared open by Senator Sarah Henderson. Members, sponsors and guests gathered around the green to participate in a simple, but highly appropriate ceremony which was the culmination of a three-year effort to raise funds locally to add to a Commonwealth Government subsidy to provide for the $190,000 upgrade.
President Peter Barraclough welcomed members and guests and he thanked Senator Henderson for her efforts to strongly support our application under the Commonwealth Government’s Building Better Regions Fund. Clearly, without the Commonwealth’s support, providing $95,000 for the project, we would have been unable to replace the green in such a short time frame. The Club matched the Commonwealth contribution dollar for dollar. This is the second major project at the Club, including the installation of lights, advocated for by the Senator. It was therefore highly appropriate that Sarah opened the green.
After the plaque was unveiled, Peter invited Senator Henderson and the Club’s two surviving life members – Michael Causon and Sam Coulson to bowl the kitty and some bowls to officially launch the green. The members and guests were then provided with a delightfully presented and delicious variety of foods, prepared by Simon Holloway, chef at the Bowls Club restaurant.
Peter also acknowledged the work of the immediate past-president Gary Allen and the members of the replacement green committee namely Peter Jacobs, Allan Walls and Brad Weetman for their work to see the project through to completion. The project included the new green, shade-cloth replacement, improvements to the surrounds and the installation of a new electronic scoreboard.
The new green has been enthusiastically welcomed by members and visiting bowlers alike. The Club is confident that we now have a playing surface that is one of the best in the district and one that will enable our bowlers to perform consistently for home and away games. The results are now evident; with our newly promoted division one side being highly competitive against the top sides and the division three side currently in the four, in a fifteen-side competition. The newly promoted midweek team is also playing well in division two, being in the mid-level of the ladder.
The Club has been in a sound financial position for many years, but what is most pleasing is that new bowlers have been attracted to play midweek and on Saturday, particularly new female bowers who have embraced the sport and who are bowling very well and on a new surface that matches their potential and will allow their skills to be consistently rewarded.
Well done to the all involved
Lorne Bowls Club
