$6000 raised at Bushfire Bowls
Great Southern Bowling Association conducted a fundraiser tournament to assist Kangaroo Island bowling families severely affected by the 2020 bushfires at Victor Harbor Bowling Club on Sunday 20th September.
Impressively, after expenses the final amount raised is expected to be in excess of $6,000-00.
This fundraiser was in combination with GSBA 2020/21 bowling season opening and was at maximum capacity. 42 teams of four players per team competed but unfortunately many were denied entry due to COVID-19 limitations.
A total of 168 bowlers competed in two groups with both playing a total of 30 ends. Group one played 12 ends and then stopped for an enjoyable lunch while group two continued playing until they had completed 18 ends. By then group one had completed lunch, the clubroom had been cleaned and ready for group two’s lunchbreak.
COVID Marshalls continuously kept a close count and politely prevented more than permitted into the clubroom at any time throughout the day.
The tournament was extremely well organised and managed by GSBA and Victor Harbor officials and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day. After a long starved absence comraderies’ were re-established with everyone now looking forward to bowling in the 2020/21 season.
Clubs represented were Aldinga Bay, Blackwood, Clarendon, Encounter Bay, Goolwa, Kangaroo Island Birchmore & Kingscote, Langhorne Creek, Marion RSL/Happy Valley, McLaren Vale, Milang, Myponga, Port Elliot, Strathalbyn, Toorak/Burnside, Victor Harbor, Willunga and Yankalilla.
Bowls South Australia Region 7 comprises GSBA Fleurieu & Kangaroo Island.
There has been much excitement and enthusiasm to support this event with many bowlers hoping to help heal mental scars for their K.I. counterparts doing it tough and try to bring back smiles on their faces, many having been to hell and back losing everything.
Dianne Morris from Kangaroo Island Birchmore Bowling Club emphasised in her speech it could take more than a lifetime to recover from losing stock, farm machinery, homes and all precious possessions.
Bowls are a central part of countless family lives and often form a hub for rural communities. Many not only enjoy the sport and exercise but meet other bowlers and form life-long friendships.
The tournament was originally scheduled for earlier this year but had to be postponed due to COVID-19.
Annie Atkinson from Myponga Bowling Club organised significant and most appreciated sponsorship for the event by: Tiger Turf, Greengauge Bowling Greens, Henselite and Adelaide Fuel Distributors. All represented bowling clubs also donated a prize(s) for the two raffles and both were generously patronised on the day.
(Information provided)
The view the photos from the day please click here
