GVBA – GVBD Centenary
Goulburn Valley Bowls Association – Goulburn Valley Bowls Division – Centenary Dinner March 20, 2021
The Goulburn Valley Bowls Division, together with host club Shepparton Park held a celebratory event to mark 100 years since the 5 Bowls clubs in the district formed the Goulburn Valley Bowls Association.
The day started out with all GVBD clubs being invited to play 3 games of 2 bowl triples, commencing at 2.00pm.
Following play all players were invited to enjoy pre dinner nibbles, provided by the host club Shepparton Park, and partake in convivial banter until dinner at 7.00pm.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening was John Crilly, Chairman of Tatura Bowls Club, who duly called all guests to their seats in preparation for the evenings event.
John introduced and invited Cr Greg James from the Greater Shepparton City Council to Acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land – Past, Present and Emerging. Followed by the introduction of GVBD Board members, GVBD Bowls Hall of Fame Legends and Inductees. Life members of the GVBD and the GVBA were also introduced, attending were Mrs Joy O’Donnell, Mr Maurie Rowlands and Mrs Jennifer Cole.
A full list of all GVBA and GVBD Honours can be found here!.
A roast dinner was served to all, provided by Dunkirk Food Store. Whilst partaking in dinner a slide presentation was displayed giving a few snippets of the development of Lawn Bowls in the Goulburn Valley, focusing on the original 5 clubs, Shepparton (1893), Kyabram (1913), Murchison (1901), Tatura (1904), and Rushworth (1917). This presentation can be viewed here!
After dinner the MC, John Crilly called for all guests to charge their glasses, and pronounced a Loyal Toast to the Queen.
Pat Schram, Deputy President of Bowls Victoria then congratulated the GVBD on the splendid event that was evolving.
MC, John Crilly then invited a speaker from each of the original clubs to give a brief overview of their clubs history –
Mal Williams, President of Kyabram BC
Barb Rogerson, Chairperson of Rushworth BC
Gloria Polkinghorne, Past President and Life Member of Murchison BC
Wes Gibbs, Chairman of Shepparton Park BC
John Crilly, Chairman of Tatura BC
MC, John Crilly then invited the past Presidents of the GVBD, Lloyd Mawson and Maurie Rowlands to speak of their experiences in the development of the GVBD. This was followed by a some recollections provided by Hall of Fame Inductee, Roy Rowan with assistance of fellow Inductee, Wally Sinclair.
A cake to celebrate the event was rolled out by GVBD Chairman, James McLeod, who invited both the Life Members of the GVBD to come forward and cut the cake.
Desert was served whilst the cake was cut into pieces and delivered to the guests.
Many photographs of the evenings event were recorded by Naomi Cartwright of the Hill Top BC and a selection of those can be found here or here!
The end of the evenings event was pronounced by GVBD Chairman, James McLeod, who thanked all responsible for a successful occasion.
GVBD Chairman (James McLeod) and Fellow Board Directors join together to express their sincere gratitude to all GVBD Clubs whom attended both the Centenary Tournament and the Centenary Dinner. It was a great celebration and we thank everyone who assisted in anyway to its success. Special thanks goes to Gordon Nash and Grace Kenworthy (Raffle Sellers): Peter Naughton & Jean Sprague organising the Tournament, Rob Sceney for the great Runners Up and Winners Certificates for the Bowls afternoon, and huge thank you to Bill Chilcott for his outstanding digital presentations on the night and MC -John Crilly- job well done. Finally Joy O’Donnell for all your hard work you do in front and behind the scenes.
Further thanks goes to the Shepparton Park Bowls Club, their Board and Members for making their facility and greens available, their Catering Team (the nibbles were very tasty) and the decorations, the venue looked amazing.
We trust everyone will have treasured memories of a great night as we now venture forward to the GVBD Presentation Evening to be held on Monday 26th April 2021.
GVBD Executive Board
Joy O’Donnell
Secretary
21/1/21