Friday, September 12, 2025

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Another Big Week At Airlie Beach Bowls Club

Another excellent week of precision bowling began on Tuesday with 33 bowlers, excellently run by Regina Aquilina and Carol Crosbie. The dice rolled the smallest winning margin, which saw Connie Reimers with Pip Heddles just edge out Carol Crosbie and Greg Fennell 22–16. A great day was had by all.

Wednesday afternoon social bowls attracted 26 bowlers, with three games of triples and two of pairs. The standout win of the day came from skipper Andy McDougall, with “Wild” Bill Gordon at lead and Keith Bates at second, who soundly defeated in-form skipper Tony Kelly, supported by Janet Jacometti at lead and Glen O’Brien at second, 30–5. Well done, boys.
Business House Bowls continued on Wednesday night and remains highly entertaining, with team results to be shared next week.

Free lessons on Monday and Thursday afternoons are proving very successful — anyone interested in learning lawn bowls is welcome to join in.

Saturday morning Scroungers is also popular, with 19 bowlers taking part. In the A Grade final, Dennis Donnadelli defeated new bowler Des Ballance. The B Grade final came down to John Askew, Pip Heddles, Betty Whitehorn and Andrew Butler, with John Askew emerging the winner.

The Endeavour Foundation continues to attend on Friday mornings, and it’s wonderful to see the progress of Kiara, Cathy, Michael and Jett. We are hopeful Michael can obtain funding for a specialised lawn bowls wheelchair and bowling arm so he can compete in the Queensland Disabled Games — as could Jett, Cathy and Kiara. The plan is to have them all attend next year.

On the weekend, John Matterson, Alan Pershouse and Kevin John Trembath were narrowly beaten by Souths Suburban in the semifinals. Well done, boys — we are proud of your achievements.

Sunday afternoon saw 15 bowlers, with the highlight being a “Scotland v Ireland” pairs clash. Arthur and Liz McManus triumphed over Mandy and Phil O’Brien.

Finally, we send our best wishes to our deaf bowlers competing at the Australian Titles in NSW — Russell Jackson and Noel Crosbie — as they chase the pairs Australian Championship. Good luck, boys!

Contributed with thanks to Mark Mawson

Russell Jackson and Noel Crosbie. Photo supplied

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