Chairman’s Corner

Welfare Officer

John Kelly has agreed to take on the role of the Club’s Welfare officer. If you are likely to be absent from the club for a while, or if your know of someone who is not in the best of health, please let John know. He can be contacted on 0414 245 143.

Shades

The bowling green shades provide relief from the sun on hot days. Their operation can be dangerous if they are not operated correctly. Cyril Shilansky has produced an excellent training video which is available on the website at:

https://ln5.sync.com/dl/52522eac0/4jh6z34x-kv56gi9f-r8j6efcb-4z2875bb.

He has also written an instruction sheet which is included in this newsletter. Please watch and read these to make sure you are operating the shades safely. Many thanks to Cyril for doing a great job.

New Faces

A warm welcome to new member, Alan Gordon. Alan is the latest of a number of members introduced to the club by Arnold Green.

Retiring Bowlers

Unfortunately, a couple of our long-time members have decided to put theirs bowls in the rack and retire from bowls.

Garth Aston, former Chairman and Life Member, has experienced balance issues following recent medical procedures. Garth was responsible for leading the Lindfield BC in the extremely successful amalgamation with Roseville BC which resulted in the wonderful club we have now. Garth has assured me he will be keeping a close eye on the VB quality for many years to come.

Margaret Formby is also facing some balance issues and has decided to retire from bowls. She came to the Rollers via Northbridge and Roseville bowling clubs where she impressed everyone she met with her gentle personality and quiet determination to play competitive bowls.

They will be missed on the greens.

Easter Celebrations

We had a great day of bowls on Easter Saturday with 56 bowlers on the greens.

Many thanks Marlene Black, who generously donated special prizes from the Echuca Chocolate Factory for the Spider and raffle. Liz and Brian prepared a special afternoon tea with hot cross buns. A most enjoyable afternoon.

Happy bowling.

Roger Parks

Chairman

From the Women’s President

We would like to congratulate Susan Devenish-Meares, Julie Dunn, Ngoc Hau and Louise Amos for winning the title of “Runner Up” in the District Senior Women’s Fours competition held at Belrose on Tuesday 14th February.

Six or more of our women have been competing in the 2022/2023 Open Gender Pennants Competition and the feedback from all of our members both male and female has been very positive.

Our club is currently holding a “Rookies” singles competition which has been very well received by all of our Rookies who have only been playing bowls for two years or less. Mel Rubin pictured below is one of our new female “Rookies” competing in the event.

Also below are two of our very special husband and wife members who have recently celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary! Congratulations to Betty and Ron Gee-Kee.

Betty and Ron Gee Kee

Recently celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary - congratulations!

Lorraine Forster

Women’s President

A Word from the Editor

The bowling year is well underway and we have been fortunate to have lost very few days so far due to inclement weather. Club competitions for 2023 have begun, as have the Open Gender Pennants, where we have entered a Grade 5 team and a Grade 6 team. Results for the Pennants teams to date have been mixed, with the ten round-robin Pennants season matches due to be completed on May 6th.

On-Green Signalling – Susie Meares has prepared a helpful guide to appropriate hand signals for use on the green during a game and I reproduce her handiwork below.

A Blast from the Past – Digging into our archives has produced a document from our club’s early days. It is in the form of a newsletter (nothing new under the sun!) and it contains an interesting snapshot of what life and playing bowls was like in 1956, and what, indeed, things cost in those days. I have reproduced the 1956 newsletter in full below for your edification.

Garry Lowder

newsletter@lindfieldrollers.com.au

………………………………………

LINDFIELD BOWLING CLUB

LYREBIRD REVIEW

November, 1956

It is with very much regret that I wish to advise those members who are not already aware of the demise of our great friend and Club member Phil. Roper. Although not a member of the committee Phil was at all times ready to assist whenever requested and the Club will very much miss his valuable assistance and advice.

His genial personality will be greatly felt by those of us who were closely associated with him on the greens and in the Club House, President Doug. expressed to his wife and family the condolences of all members whilst a great number of members attended the funeral.

PRESIDENT FOURS

This competition was held on Saturday 20th October and a great compliment was paid by the members to President Doug. by their very large attendance. Nearly 120 were present and it must have been very pleasing to a great many to be able to renew old acquaintances again. I saw some members who haven't been near the place for almost twelve months which was very good, but I can't understand if they can make it for one Saturday why they can’t come every Saturday. What about thinking about it. However, now we have got our little plug in let’s continue further with the day itself. The teams, which I believe were drawn from a hat, each played three matches of eight ends each and the winner was determined by the team having the greatest margin. The successful team was skippered by Bert Payne and included Jim Downie and yours truly, If you add up correctly you will see that the team includes only three. Well the story is one of our players didn't turn up and so our lead also played second. Don't ask me to write who it was but it wasn't Bert Payne and it wasn't Jim Downie - your right - embarrassing isn't it?

A very lovely afternoon tea was prepared by Mrs. Wells and after the bowls were finished a very nice tea of curried rice, meat pies etc. was provided and it was very pleasing to see all the members co-operate with the President by remaining after the game for the presentations of the trophies with I might say were donated by the President himself and were very beautiful.

PRESIDENT'S DAY

Saturday 27th October was chosen for this day, The association was represented by Bert Lambert - Vice President who brought with him three other members of the executive, The Mayor of Ku-ring-gai Ald. Cornish who is Patron of the Club also attended and the other Aldermen with him including our own member Ald. Bern. Wilson. Also present were representatives from fourteen other clubs including many Presidents. The afternoon commenced very well but unfortunately we were not able to play the full twenty five ends as rain intervened just after we came back from afternoon tea, but we still had a very nice afternoon on the greens. President Doug. must be congratulated on arranging the speeches to be short and confined to only five speakers at afternoon tea. Doug. welcomed the Association representatives and presented to Vice President Bert Lambert and also the Mayor an Orchid each which were kindly donated by Cec. Cambourne. Ray Carroll welcomed the Mayor and the visitors and Bert Lambert, Ald. Cornish and Hal. Kench from Gordon responded.

On the Saturday evening the President's Ball took place in the Club House and the response was very disappointing to the Committee.

Only seventy people including members and their friends attended. Members were advised in the last review of the dates of the President Fours and President's Day and they must have noted them because of the roll up of the Bowls Competition.

However, these sincere members who attended had a very enjoyable evening and it was after one A.M. when proceedings finished. The supper catered for by Mrs. Wells was something extra special and seeing the admission was only 15/- everyone had more than their money's worth.

It must have been a day that Doug. will not forget for a very long time and I am sure everybody will agree he is deserving of the congratulations of all members.

Thanks must be paid to Mrs. Wells for her wonderful catering also to Mrs. Green and her daughter for their very hard work in the bar.

GREENS

Members will note the vast improvement in the Greens during the last few weeks. On the day of the President Fours both greens were fully open for the first time and great credit must be given to Jack Wells for the wonderful improvement he has made since commencing his duties.

As from Friday the 9th November members will be permitted to have a roll up from 2.30 p.m. until 5 p.m. so all you prospective pennant players can have an opportunity to practice.

GENERAL

Norm. White has asked me to include the following –

Saturday 17th November 1956 - Concert Night.

This will really be something to remember. A well-balanced combination of instrumental, vocal and novelty items has been arranged and members are urged to come along with their friends and participate in the night's entertainment. The concert commences punctually at 8 p.m.

Admission 5/- each.

Friday. 30th November 1956 - Television Night.

Again, through the generous co-operation of Lance Graham, another T.V. Night has been made possible. This time there will be a choice of programmes as several T.V. Channels will be operating. It is hoped also to have a T.V. camera in action and this should add considerable interest to the night's entertainment. Start organising your parties now. Screening from 7.30 to 9.30 p.m., followed by coffee and savouries.

Admission 3/- each.

The entertainment committee are doing a good job and must have the support of all members. The Artists at the Concert are mainly club members so what about coming along and giving them a little moral if not oral support.

Members are reminded that Saturday morning 15th December is set down for the Children's Party. A list will be on the Notice Board so see that the names are placed on it early and don't disappoint the children. Each year this function has been very successful so see that this year is just as successful.

Contribution 5/- per child.

Attached you will find notice of Extraordinary General Meeting.

As the decision will affect all members you are asked to closely peruse and so that you attend the meeting.

Members will be pleased to know that Ernie Ohlsson is progressing favourably after an attack of pneumonia.

Good Health and Good Bowling to all.

Bob Morris

Publicity Officer

Club Competitions – 2022 Awards

The club’s Presentation Day, which was originally scheduled for Saturday, 17 December 2022, finally took place on Saturday, 21 January 2023. The delay was caused by several of the prize winners being unable to attend the earlier date due to Covid isolation requirements and other commitments.

The competitions recognised and prizes awarded are summarised below:

2021 Women’s Major Pairs

Winners: Berri Maraney & Ronnie Vilensky
Runners-up: Lee Gardiner & Olivia Wong

2022 Women’s Minor Singles

Winner: Olivia Wong
Runner-up: Trish Boyle

2022 Women’s Minor Pairs

Winners: Trish Boyle & Betty Gee Kee
Runners-up: Linda Nelson & Beverley Morrison

Women’s Senior Bowler of the Year

Betty Gee Kee (R)

Consistency Singles

Winner: Barrie Jones (L)
Runner-up: Kuzma Petkovic

Minor Singles

Winner: Ted Cook (L)
Runner-up: Geoff Kopping

Mixed Pairs

Winners: Lorraine Forster & Gary Forster
Runners-up: Susie Meares & Ian Kimmorley

Handicap Triples

Winners: Arnold Green, Bruce Edwards & Marlene Black (Marlene not present)
Runners-up: Ronnie Vilensky, Adrian Meredith & Julie Dunn

Club Fours

Winners: Rob Garrity, Peter Duffy, Barrie Jones & Morris Sher
Runners-up: Lorraine Forster, Owen Holden,
Ian Kimmorley & Phil Lewis

Club Triples

Winners: Willie Mok, Gary Forster &
Neil Gosbell
Runners-up: Adrian Meredith, Kuzma Petkovic & Ngoc Hau

2022 Women’s Major Pairs

Winners: Anne Rands & Julie Dunn
Runners-up: Ngoc Hau & Louise Amos

Men’s Major Pairs

Winners: Paul Goodwin & Rob Duthie
Runners-up: Neil Gosbell & Willie Mok

Women’s Major Singles

Winner: Louise Amos
Runner-up: Susie Meares

Men’s Major Singles

Winner: Ian Kimmorley
Runner-up: Phil Lewis

Here is the Shade Awnings Tutorial, prepared by Cyril Shilansky:

What’s been happening?

The second round of the Bridge Trophy against Forestville RSL was played on Saturday, 25 February. Our Grade 5 team won 84 to 48 and our Grade 6 side won 58 to 49. The Trophy has been won by Lindfield Rollers and will soon be in our possession.
We had a team (Neil Gosbell, Phil Lewis, Willie Mok & Ian Kimmorley) playing in the Zone Reserve Fours competition at Pittwater Memorial BC on 11 and 12 February. They won their first two games but went down to a Harbord team in the semi-final.
Our women also had a team in the District Fours with Susie Meares, Julie Dunn, Ngoc Hau & Louise Amos making it through to the final before going down to Neutral Bay at that stage.
We participated in the St Ives Tapner Jacobs Creek Club Challenge on Thursday, 2 March. Our representatives did not have the best of days and finished in the bottom half of the table.
We also entered teams in the St Ives Tapner Pairs and the Seafood at Seaforth events.

Know Your fellow Bowler …

This time around we take a look at Bruce Edwards who, as a social selector and pennants player, performs an important role in the smooth functioning of our club.

Bruce was born 81 years ago in Dagenham, in London’s east, but, as he says, “apart from that I have never been near the place.” He went to school at Dulwich College, which was founded in 1519 by Edward Alleyn, who was the leading actor of his day, a contemporary of Shakespeare and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth I. Bruce describes his school as “a great Victorian pile, classified as an important monument”, but remembers that its impressive buildings were “bloody cold in the winter” as there was no heating. He reports that the school owns a considerable part of South London and even has its own golf course. The school’s 500th anniversary was celebrated at Westminster Abbey in 2019, with Queen Elizabeth II in attendance.

After school, Bruce trained in management and personnel, while working at Harrods and there he found his true vocation in the new field of computers, ending up as Head of Systems Design.

In 1974 Bruce came to Australia, before going back to London to marry Joyce and then they returned together to Sydney in 1975, eventually settling in Pymble, where they have lived since 1978. His career continued to be very much IT-focussed and took him all over Australia and New Zealand and even saw him working in the Democratic Revolutionary Republic of Guinea, which was “interesting, to say the least.” Towards the end of his working life, Bruce specialised in “Disaster Recovery” and he wrote the only Australian training course for that field, which continued to be used long after his retirement.

Bruce’s main sporting passion was for car rallying and racing, which he describes as “a lot of fun and expensive, best summed up by ‘Great car, pity about the driver!’” He has also been a snow skier and played tennis and badminton. He was introduced to bowls at Roseville 17 years ago by Barry Chambers and describes his best achievement there as beating Roger Parks in the first round of Handicap Singles! He also plays bridge and is a fan of all types of music (except rap) but is particularly fond of opera. Bruce is to this day a student of art history, which he has been studying for many years at the Art Gallery of NSW.

****

A Smile on Your Dial

The Lone Ranger and Tonto are camping in the desert, where they set up their tent, cook a nice dinner, then retire to bed and fall fast asleep.

Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says, “Kemo Sabe, look towards sky. What you see?”

The Lone Ranger replies, “I see millions of stars.”

“What that tell you?” asks Tonto.

The Lone Ranger thinks for a minute then says, “Astronomically speaking, it tells me there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets out there. Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo. Timewise, it appears to be about 3 o’clock in the morning. Theologically, the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant. Meteorologically, it tells me tomorrow will be a fine, sunny day.

What does it tell you, Tonto?”

“You dumber than buffalo s..t. It mean someone stole our tent.”

***

A major earthquake, measuring 9.3 on the Richter scale hits New Zealand. The country is devastated, with many killed, 100,000 injured and 350,000 Kiwis missing. The government is in disarray and calls for international assistance. Other nations are quick to respond.

Britain flies in rescue workers and sniffer dogs to help locate trapped victims.

The USA flies in food supplies and aid money.

France flies in doctors, nurses and first aid equipment.

Japan flies in hi-tech communications.

Germany flies in specially trained police to help maintain order.

Even Russia flies in tents and warm clothing.

Meanwhile, Australia is flying in 350,000 replacement Kiwis ….

***

Funny Signs

AUSSIE NUMBER PLATES

New South Wales: “At least we’re not Queensland”

Queensland: “Tobacco IS a vegetable”

Victoria: “If you don’t ski, don’t bother”

Tasmania: “We’re not REALLY an Island”

South Australia: “Come, feel better about your own State”

Western Australia: “But it’s a dry heat”

Northern Territory: “Yes, we do have electricity”

ACT: “Several museums and a lake”

Finally:

“***Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”***
Albert Einstein.

Till next time …

April 2023 Newsletter

Roger Parks