Cardinia Waters welcomes two life members to its honour roll

The five Life Members of Cardinia Waters Bowls Club, from left, Alan Burkitt, Tom Gogan, Michele Bondfield, Bill Hite and John Van Vugt. 416468 Pictures: SUPPLIED

Cardinia Waters Bowls Club held another successful Annual General Meeting in the village clubrooms in June.

The Annual Report was presented and approved at the meeting.

A great turnout of 74 members were present, pleasing the committee and executive.

President Michele Bondfield spoke of the successful year both on and off the bowling green.

The club had entered three teams in the Metropolitan Pennant Bowls Competition and two of these had made the final series.

The Midweek side one was runners-up to Pakenham.

The popular summer Monday Night Triples was again successfully conducted, with 14 teams entering; it is expected to continue next season.

There was an increase in new bowlers, who enjoyed the Club’s Social Games.

An extra game on Tuesday during the off season is being well attended.

The Club’s Annual Tournaments were very well supported during the season, with awards being presented at Presentation evening on April 20.

Ian Kennedy presented his Treasurers Report, which showed the club in a healthy financial position.

He recommended to the incoming committee that fees not be increased.

Among the other reports received was the Greens Report, which spoke of the green being in good condition, even after a flooding event in January.

A weekly working bee has been instigated to help the green keepers maintain the facility in pristine conditions.

The addition of a club website has assisted in the communication of club matters.

Bowls Australia provided the platform for the site free, and the site was built by the media officer, John Moore.

He reported to members that a more extensive site should be available in the future.

There were two items of special business for the meeting to consider.

The first was the recommendation that Honorary Life Membership be conferred on members Michele Bondfield and Tom Gogan.

The meeting was told of the meritorious service given to the club by Michele and Tom, and after a secret ballot of attendees the meeting was advised of the successful promotion by these two members.

They join existing Life Members Alan Burkitt, John Van Vugt and Bill Hite, and it befell senior lifer Alan Burkitt to pin the badges on Michele and Tom.

The other item was the presentation of Bowls Victoria Veterans badges to five club members who reached the auspicious age of eighty years old during last season.

Michele Bondfield did the honors and badges were presented to current players: Jim Barrie, Dennis Patmore, Paul Brindle, Marion Stevens and John Carr.

Each gave a brief report of their bowls career.

This award is often referred to as the OBE. (Over Bloody Eighty).

After General Business the meeting closed.

The bowling club will have a small change to its uniform next season following the change in ownership of Cardinia Waters Retirement Village.

The current uniform uses RCA livery, and the updated uniform will feature Centennial Living livery.

New uniforms are expected to be distributed on Season Opening Day, in September.

-John Moore-