Vale Joy Johnson
Ovens & Murray Region and Victoria have lost one of our best bowlers with the passing of Joy Johnson following her battle with cancer.
Joy was a member at the Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, and was highly respected throughout the bowling community at Club, Region, and State level.
Joy took up bowls in the 1970’s following an accomplished sporting career in golf, and went on to earn a very high level of achievement in the sport.
Joy’s achievements include:
* Four time Women’s Club Champion at Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort from 2011 to 2015
* Winner of Victorian Open Singles 2011
* Winner of the Victorian Champion of Champion Pairs with Julia Fairweather and represented Bowls Victoria in the National Final
* Ovens & Murray Region Champion of Champions, BV State Singles and was runner-up in the Victorian final of this event in 2014-15
* Skipper of the winning State Fours Victorian Championship 2015
* Joy and partners won Victorian Mixed Master Pairs in 2014 & 2015
* Victorian Skipper in the 2015 Women’s Senior Sides Championships in Launceston and named player of the Series for the Victorian Women’s Side
* Has been in the top 10 in the national women’s rankings for much of 2015-16
One of Joy’s finest achievements came in the 2015-16 season, as she won six State Events she was eligible to contest – a feat never before achieved in the Region by any player.
Unfortunately it was following this great achievement that Joy was diagnosed with a serious and aggressive cancer in March this year which greatly impacted her life, after having lost her husband to cancer in July 2014.
Her fighting spirit and determination not to give in, saw her represent the Ovens & Murray Region at the 2016 State Champions Week in Bendigo in April in two of the six events she was scheduled to participate. Unfortunately, she was hospitalised soon after this for the remainder of the event.
Joy’s outstanding contribution was largely responsible for Ovens & Murray Region winning the Vic Shield for the most successful region at Champions Week 2016
In the State Mixed Pairs final, Laureen Smith substituted for Joy and teamed with Les Spencer to win the title, and both dedicated the win to Joy.
In addition to her playing achievements, Joy and Anne Miles had taken on the responsibility for junior bowls coaching in the Region, and the Kelly Gang junior squad, which provided great opportunity to the under 18 bowlers to develop and gain valuable experience in the sport.
Bowls Victoria’s thoughts are with those closest to Joy at this time, including the many friends and teammates within our sport who were privileged to have known and played with and against such a fine bowler.
