BELMONT  BOWLS  CLUB

NEWSLETTER  NO:  6 MARCH, 2009

It has been some time since the last edition of the Newsletter was published.  Since that time a lot of water has flowed under the bridge.  However it may prove fruitful to remind members of that which has transpired.

The Holiday Carnival, held on 27^th & 28^th December, 2008 was an outstanding success.  Ninety six players competed.  Twentyfour teams entered.  There were 38 or\prize winners ranging over many categories.  Four different types of games were played in each round, all 40 results being entered on the beautifully prepared scoreboards.  Ted Mohn, the principal organizer is to be congratulated on the preparation and attention to detail that enabled to smooth running of the carnival.  Hilary Foran, Elaine Mohn, Jim Connors, Bruce Hoskin & Bob Simpson were indispensable assistants.  The afternoon teas, refreshments and BBQ provided by the Ladies Catering group were appreciated by the bowlers.  Lyle Burns excelled on the hotplate and Coral Trickey ran the raffle in her usual inimitable manner.

Sponsors of the month:

*    Firstly we need to acknowledge the sponsors of February events.  They were Century 21 Real Estate, Town & Country Gifts, Michael Crutchfield MLA, Blood Hyundai & S & R Gifts.
·Our major March tournament, the Laurie Budde Memorial Classic Open Invitation Fours is sponsored jointly by Buckleys Entertainment Centre, Geelong Grove Retirement Village and Financial Aspects.  We also have contributions to the associated raffle from Ruth Budde & Comfort Inn, Moama NSW.
·On Thursday 12^th March the Ladies Monthly Triples is sponsored by Tuckers Funeral Services.  Ross Allen, a social member is a good supporter of the club.
·The Men’ Open 2 bowl triples on 26^th March is sponsored by Kattwinkle Meats, located in the Highton Shopping center.  Pearl Mills ensured that they provide us with quality cuts for counter meals.
·The “Tarz Taylor” Memorial; Assembled Mised Fours, sponsored by Peter & Diane Williams of Belmont Tattslotto is scheduled for Saturday 28^th March. Tarz was an ican of the Belmont Shopping Centre in High Street and a valuable and prominent member of our club.

As has been said in the past, we encourage our members, whenever they can, to support our sponsors.  Mention must be made of Peaches, located in Heyers Road, Grovedale, who supply beautifully presented fruit platters for our pennant raffles.  If lucky you might be served by Les Claffey in the shop.
Club Events:

Ladies Singles Championship:-

Congratulated to Annette Phayre and Edith Stephens who qualified for the final of this prestigious event.  After a keen battle Annette drew away to register a 25-17 victory.  The game was played before an appreciative audience who enjoyed a high standard of competition.  Annette went on the win the GDLBA Champion of Champions competition and acquitted herself well at Regional level.  She has done the club proud.





Mens Singles Championship:

This event was contested between Robin Hayes and Roger Clement, the former making his inaugural appearance in the final.  Roger, who was previously runner-up in the championship, proved too strong for a valiant opponent.  Congratulations to Roger, who went on to win a round of the GDBA Champion of Champions event.

Ladies Pairs Championship:

In a highly contested game Edith Stephens and Fay Iddles defeated Ilma Redfern & Annette Phayre.  Played in great spirits the bystanders appreciated the quality of the bowls played.

Obituaries:

Since the last newsletter was have farewelled four of our much valued and respected members.  This is not uncommon in a bowls club but their loss is keenly felt and expressions of sympathy are extended  to the respected families.

·Pat Sinnott was highly regarded for her contribution to all areas of club activity.  Together with Ralph she enjoyed the sport and had a wide web of friends
· Len Gladman. As he became less mobile, reverted to social membership.  He followed the fortunes of the pennant sides at home in a cheerful manner.  In former days he wielded a wicked wand, and was once a keen rower.
·Laurie the Leader aka Laurie Wood over his five years at the club made a significant impact.  He became virtually the resident plumber, no ask being too big to tackle.  He was cajoled by the former Director into becoming Greens Director. He loved life and lived it to the full.  On C Green is “Laurie’s Loo”, the location of which was one of his prime objectives.
·Lorraine Whitley one of the stalwarts of the ladies of the catering world, was a real character.  Not one to mince words, she had a kind heart.  She was a keen bowler, enjoyed social chit-chat and a good laugh.

Social Committee Report:

Capably led by Wally Lake the social committee has again been a great fund raiser for the club.  Up to the present some $19,000.00 has been transferred to the general committee.  This has come from the proceeds of the counter teas, pennant day raffles and special functions such as Cup Eve and the Christmas Dinner.  The organization of guest speakers and provision of some entertainment has all added to the atmosphere of the club.

Counter teas continue to prove an outstanding success.  Their quality, variety and value for money have ensured excellent attendances and made Friday evenings excellent social occasions.

Special thanks to Bruce Iddles for organizing the visits of Senior Sgt Ron Iddles of the Victorian Homicide Squad to address to club.  The attendance at the recent speaks for itself - a great night!

The ladies in the kitchen, operating as special teams, together with those cleaning and washing up have been marvellous.  There is no one like Ceffy for ensuring that dishes and cutlery is collected.

The Social Committee also intends to run another Art Show spearheaded by Carol Hurst, whose quality painting was auctioned as part of the clubs bush fire relief contribution.

There is a small way in which the team responsible for preparing the weekly meal can be helped.  This is by ensuring that the list for those intending to have the meal, is completed by Thursday evening.  This allows the caterer to complete the necessary purchases on the Friday morning thereby being able to more accurately determine the amount of food required.  Cut off  points always lead to disappointment and we would like to avoid this as much as possible.

Heard Around the Traps:

·The Mini-Skips 500 (Len Cam sponsored) was not without its element of drama.  When players came in for lunch it was apparent that the meal was not quite ready.  Robin Hayes was in charge of cooking the snags.  It transpired that on the previous day Robin and Karen had celebrated yet another wedding anniversary.  Halfway through cooking Robin ran out of gas.  Consequently had to charge off and recharge the bottle.  Under normal circumstances such an occurrence was seemingly impossible.  Fancy Hayesy running out of gas!!
·Channel 31 did a great job in publicising the opening of D Green.  After Kardinia Ward Councillor Bruce Harwood officially unveiled the commemorative plaque and sent down the first bowl and in-depth interview was undertaken with the two leaders of the team of voluntary workers who have seen the project through.
·Jack” Shanahan, complete with dark shades, gave an explanation of the planning of the project, stating that 13 hundred man hours were expended in completing the task.
·Graeme Clyne towering over the interviewer Graeme Rawlins, gave the impression that he might have a future in this form of the media.  “Home and Away” was thought to be well within his capability.
·During January a racing carnival denoted “The Magic Millions” was run up at the Gold Coast.  One of the fancied horses in the man event, I’m reliable told, had a name reminiscent of one of our notable members.  The horse was called “Our Fat Albert”  Unfortunately, perhaps like our member, it was slow out of the blocks and did not run a place.  Who is our bowler?  Your guess is a good as mine.

Club Development Master Plan:

The business plan as you know was passed at a special meeting on the 12^th February.  I would like to thank the eighty members, who had enough confidence in the Committee of Management to do the right thing for the club, and who voted for the plan.  Now the hard work begins in implementing it.  As nominations for all positions open on the 1^st April, I encourage all members to read the job descriptions which are located in the office in a white folder.  If you feel you could fill these positions please nominate.