Join us this festive season as our community comes together to support children spending Christmas in hospital. We’re hosting an official present drop-off and wrapping day, creating joy, kindness, and a little Christmas magic for kids who need it most.

Bring the family along to the Clovelly Bowling Club Function Room for a fun afternoon with free face painting, light nibbles, and hands-on gift wrapping. Every wrapped present helps brighten a child’s Christmas and shows them they’re not forgotten.

We were delighted to have enough interest and enthusiasm this season to field two sides in State Pennant for the first time in nine years, a fantastic achievement for the club and a clear sign of the strength of women’s bowls at Clovelly.

Grade 2

Our newly promoted Grade 2 side faced a stand-alone section against strong opposition from Double Bay, Wests and Cronulla. Outstanding bowls under pressure saw the team win the section and claim the MSEB flag, qualifying for the State Finals next August for the second year in a row.

Congratulations to:

Gina O’Reilly, Ros Madgwick, Teresa Tuckerman, Jill Cash, Carmel Sowden, Berry Skinner, Louise Baldwin, Sue Snape and Diana Lovegrove.

Grade 4

It was a great year for our second side, with many players contesting their first competition games. Despite a season disrupted by injuries and late call-ups, the team finished first in their section. Unfortunately, the super-fast Grandviews green proved a challenge in the semi-final, but the effort and spirit shown throughout the season were outstanding.

Congratulations to:

Sue Snape, Sandra Starrett, Juli Wright, Jen Gray, Kaye Smith, Susie Clark, Barb Buhagiar, Kathleen Mastrogiacomo, Gina Maroske, Annabel Sutherland, Linda Ruben and Josephine Fernandez.

A fantastic season of single-gender bowls leaves us well placed as we come together for the Open Gender Pennant in February.

Go Clovelly!

Men’s Club Champion Peter Osborne added another string to his bow last week, defeating the canny Scotsman Scott Irving in the final of the Handicap Singles. Irving was required to concede six shots to the Englishman, but fought hard to reel the margin back and keep the contest tight through the middle stages of the game.

Peter, who had recently overcome a debilitating eye injury that forced the postponement of their original match, showed his class under pressure. Despite Scott threatening a late comeback, Peter kept his focus, used his early advantage well, and went on to seal a well-earned 25–18 victory. Well done to both players on a hard-fought final.

It was a case of the city coming to the country when the three amigos from Clovelly Bowling Club headed to town to take on some of the region’s best in the prestigious Gundagai Tuckerbox Triples tournament early last month. Leading the team off was local club employee Chris Haberecht, who paved the way for club manager Matt Kelly to set the stage for experienced state player Bernie Melville to seal the deal against the Wollongong team in the final.

The boys were the talk of the town, especially with Chris — also a part-time Gundagai resident — in the side. “It was a fantastic few days and the locals looked after us a treat both on and off the greens,” Chris said. “My wife Liz and I regularly bowl in the social comps down here and know most of the people. To win an event like this is fantastic and we will definitely be back with the boys.”

The two-day competition featured 28 teams from surrounding districts and beyond, all vying for the coveted shield in an event that began in 1999. The final day came down to the last four, with Cloey taking the honours against Wollongong, followed by Tumut and a mixed Bronte/Queanbeyan trio.

It was a memorable final of the Twilight Competition, with the “old guard” coming to the fore when resident “Frenchman” Pierre Carrion relived his halcyon days to defeat Bruce Hughes.

Both players are no strangers to competitive bowls, with Bruce — who has risen through the ranks as one of the club’s best — facing Pierre for the first time in their playing careers.

Pierre, a former Grade 2 player, came out of competition retirement to seal the deal in straight sets of the best-of-three match. Despite Bruce starting as the shorter price, Pierre was unrelenting in the opening set, winning 6–0, before closing out the second set with a decisive four to take the honours.

The Twilight Competition has been one of the most popular events through the warmer months and was well supported in the fast-paced short-game format, with talk already turning to another competition in the New Year.

Everyone came dressed for the races and a tab was provided. It was the first of what will be an annual event to pay homage to a lady we all loved.

It was with great pleasure, love and pride that two of our most beloved members received Life Memberships. During the Clovelly WBC AGM it was unanimously voted to make our President Betty Skinner a Life Member.

Nomination for Betty Skinner

• We would like to propose Betty Skinner as a life member of Clovelly Women’s Bowling Club.
• Betty has been an affiliated bowler for 15 years, all of that time at Clovelly.
• She has represented our club with pride and dignity, at Pennant and District /State level. She has been a selected player for Eastern Suburbs District in Regional events.
• Betty is a respected member of our larger bowling community.
• More importantly, Betty’s contribution to Clovelly Women’s bowling club has been nothing short of incredible.
• Her generosity of spirit within the club is well known and she is much loved and respected by all.
• As President for numerous years she has been counselor, welfare officer, taxi driver and friend to so many of our members.
• Betty has worked tirelessly to ensure that the women’s club at Clovelly has not only a competitive presence, but is also a club that has a caring and inclusive environment for all.

Betty is an admirable and worthy person who totally deserves the honour of life membership.

Sue Snape,

Treasurer Clovelly WBC

Her illness was short but intense however she remained positive and uplifting throughout, which was her way. Her sweetness and humour made this awful journey easier for everyone which is a rare thing.

Her positive input at Womens’ Bowls NSW was an asset to the game. Her mother, Toni, is monumentally proud of her – as are we all. These amazing two women have made Lawn Bowls more accessible and enjoyable for hundreds of women throughout Sydney and beyond.

Their enthusiasm and dedication helped to make Moorefield Bowling Club a thriving, competitive club and helped introduce us to the amazing women from that area.

It’s hard to image the game without her however she has ensured that it will thrive into the future and we thank her for that. There will be holes in the air where you used to be. We love you Kylie, we thank you and we will never forget you.

From your friends at Clovelly and the Bowling community.