Arnold O’Brien enters Hall of Fame
Victorian bowls administrator and former State player Arnold O’Brien OAM will be formally inducted into the Bowls Australia Hall of Fame this year.
Mr O’Brien, 82, will join the Hall of Fame on October 26 at the national body’s 2017 Hall of Fame and Awards Night, which will be staged at Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise.
While boasting achievements both on and off the green, Mr O’Brien has earned inclusion for his tireless work and contribution to the sport in a non-playing capacity.
His involvement in the sport spans more than 65 years, including accolades achieved playing, coaching, umpiring, marking and administering across club, group, region, state, national and international levels.
He is a former President of Bowls Victoria’s forerunner, the RVBA, and a Life Member of Bowls Victoria, as well as playing more than 200 matches for the State – the vast majority at senior level.
Mr O’Brien had a distinguished tenure with the RVBA. He served as a Councillor for 21 years, which included the roles of Vice President from 1994 to 1998, Deputy President from 1998 to 2000, and President from 2000 to 2003.
He has also served on the state’s selection committee for 26 years – 12 as Chairman – and the coaching committee for 21 years, 13 as Chairman.
He was made a life member of Bowls Victoria in 2006.
At an international level, Mr O’Brien served on Bowls Australia’s selection committee in 2002, before taking the reins as Chairman for a term of three years from 2003.
He was also a marker and umpire at the sport’s premier event, in the 1980 World Bowls Championships.
He was recognised with an Australian Sports Medal in 2000, and was presented with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the sport in 2004.
Mr O’Brien will be included in the “2000-present – General” category of Hall of Fame membership.
