Heathcote BC, take a bow
Helping out a mate.
It’s the Australian way, and there was no better day than Australia Day for Heathcote Bowling Club – and the wider community – to do exactly that.
The central Victorian bowls club had been rocked by the news one of its bowlers had been afflicted by Motor Neurone Disease.
To help draw attention to the illness and raise money, the club launched an innovative 24-Hour Bowls Marathon.
By the time day had turned to night and back to day again, with the greens going all the while, more than $21,000 had been raised for a great cause.
Bowlers came from all over Victoria to take part in a bowls marathon which started at 3.15pm on January 25, and finished 24 hours later.
Local politicians, Federal Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters and State Member for Euroa Steph Ryan, got the bowls rolling.
There were personal targets set, and records aplenty.
Heathcote veteran and club stalwart Ellis Knight set himself the ambitious target of bowling one end for each of his 80 years.
Heathcote Golf Club captain Adrian King set himself a goal to remain available to play for the entire 24-hour period.
Bowlers paid up $1 per end played to help with the fund-raising.
Feature rinks included a group from Heathcote BC which comprised the four oldest bowlers in the club – Lex Tattersall, Ellis Knight, Leo Jeffrey and Tom Aylett.
Other guests included City of Greater Bendigo mayor Rod Fyffe, Eric Kelly and Katherine Nightingale from MND Victoria, and the area’s Regional Bowls Manager Josh Thornton.
Heathcote BC president Eileen O’Brien said the marathon had been a memorable occasion which exceeded all expectations.
‘‘We were very grateful for the support of the many sponsors and everyone who turned out to take part, not to mention the enormous effort put in by many members of the club,’’ she said.
‘‘I cannot get over the generosity of so many people. It’s amazing.’’
