Inspirational Garfield bowler Gwen Fabris has overcome the odds to become one of the lucky few to wear the Big V of Victoria on multiple occasions on the national stage.
Fabris, who lives in Pakenham, has represented her state a handful of times; the most recent at the Australian Para Nationals in Broadbeach, Queensland, in October.
In August she competed in the inaugural Para Test Series between the Vics and New South Wales; complementing two previous trips to Western Australia and one to Queensland.
It’s a journey that no-one – except for someone with an exceptional fighting spirit – could see coming, after Fabris suffered a brain aneurysm and stroke back in 2001.
It left her struggling to complete the most basic of functions that we all take for granted on a daily basis and stopped her from being active.
“I was (active) as a kid but back in 2001 I had a brain aneurysm and a stroke and that slowed me down a lot,” Fabris explained.
“I was totally paralysed down one side (left), couldn’t speak, couldn’t walk, had to learn how to dress myself again and learn how to talk.”
From Fabris’s perspective, there was only one way – combined with one mindset – that would see her overcome the trauma and, quite literally, get her back on her feet again.
“A lot of rehab and sheer determination,” she explained.
“I’ve always been a fighter and just take it as it comes; now I just have a really bad limp and my left arm doesn’t work properly.”
Fabris was originally raised in Pakenham, but discovered her love for bowls during a three-decade stint in Cockatoo.
“I had a friend who bowled at Cockatoo and I was with her one day, and she asked me to come down for a drink…and I didn’t leave,” Fabris said with a giggle.
“It’s the camaraderie that got me; bowls clubs are just like family; the bowlers are incredible and the clubs are full of great people.
“I lived in Cockatoo for 30 years; joined the Cockatoo Bowls Club, and I was there for five years, but my husband passed away, the kids moved out, the house was too big, so I moved down to Pakenham because that’s where I was raised.
“I enjoy my bowls so much now; I don’t know where I’d be without it.
“Garfield is just an incredible club and I love spending my time there.”
Fabris is now in her fourth season at Garfield, where she is currently vice-president and represents the club in both midweek and weekend pennant bowls.
Her enduring love for the game has been enhanced by her selection for Victoria.
The Australian Para Nationals run at the same towns and cities as the Australian Nationals, and run over five days in both singles and pairs formats.
“We go all over Australia and represent Victoria against all other states in Australia,” Fabris said proudly.
“But it’s good, you meet a lot of people with different disabilities and the atmosphere is fantastic.
“I’ve won a couple of silver medals and last year we played in Queensland and were one shot off being champions…which was a bit of a bummer.
“I’d like to thank Bowls Victoria for putting these tournaments on; they’re brilliant and a great thing to be a part of.”
Fabris, if selected, said she is committed to competing in the 2025 Australian Para Nationals in Burnie, Tasmania, where she will once again get to rub shoulders with some of Australia’s best.
“Karen Murphy, she comes to watch us a lot, and Lynsey Clarke, another champion bowler, she comes down to take a look as well,” Fabris said.
“Last time around we had Aron Sherriff; so, the really good bowlers come down to watch us which is really uplifting for everyone involved.”
