North Balwyn Bowls Club honour Betty Collins OAM
The official Opening of the Greens for the season 2018/19 took place at the North Balwyn Bowls Club. The official Opening of the Greens for the season 2018/19 took place at the North Balwyn Bowls Club.
Left to Right – Cynthia Watson, Betty Collins OAM, Tim Smith, Felicity Sinfield, Graham Foard & Barbara Gilbert
Barbara Gilbert, President of Bowls Victoria, the State Member for Kew, Tim Smith MP, Cr Felicity Sinfield, Cotham Ward and Cr Cynthia Watson, Maranoa Ward both representing the City of Boroondara, were joined by over 100 bowlers and friends to see in the new season.
Before Opening the Greens Club President Bob Beresford renamed two of the greens to honour current members Betty Collins OAM and Graham Foard for their services to the Club, the Sport of Bowls and the community. A plaque was placed on both new signs to honour the previous recipients the late Ray Ford and the late Jim Hutcheson.
Betty has a long list of achievements which include being honoured with the Order of Australia Medal in 2002, President of World Bowls, Life Membership of World Bowls, Bowls Australia and Bowls Victoria, induction into the Inaugural BCiB Bowls Australia Hall of Fame and of course her commitment to the North Balwyn Club as President, Bowls Director and Selector.
Each year the club conducts the Betty Collins OAM Challenge Cup, a Women’s event run over two days where players from all over the State compete fiercely for the top prize.
Graham has been a member of the Club since 2000, has been President on two separate occasions, Bowls Director, Selector and on the Board for several years and is a Life Member of the Club.
He continues to manage our social bowls program and is still a keen and competitive player. He is also the President of the North Balwyn RSL who have been proactive in providing the site on which the new Greythorn Community Hub has been built.
Most recently he and his wife Gwenda were awarded the prestigious City of Boroondara ‘Citizens of the Year’ award in 2017 recognising their outstanding contribution to the community.
As with all Members of the North Balwyn Betty, Graham are all volunteers and have been throughout their very impressive achievements.
The Club’s motto ‘Play Bowls, Make Friends’ are not just words, they are the reality at the North Balwyn Bowls Club. New members are always welcome.
