YMGCR Bowls Club
Wednesday Social Bowls
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After a week’s hiatus due to the Hahn SuperDry Tournament, Wednesday Social returned on Wednesday, 18 March.
A light turnout of 20 bowlers took to the greens. The game was played on the west green, which, after rain earlier in the week, was running truly but on the slow side.
Enjoying the conditions were Neville Coleman and Fred Donaldson, who shared first prize of $80 and a drink card each. The runners-up prize of $40 was won by Rob Lidgerwood and Les Balfour.
The losing rink consolation prize of $20 was shared by Chris Horne and Bruce Davie. The Lucky Number raffle was won by Chris Horne.
Wednesday Social is a terrific format: one game of three-bowl pairs played over 22 ends.
The games are played on some of the best greens in the Ovens and Murray region, if not along the length of the Murray River. Prize money is always worth playing for, and the Lucky Number raffles give you a chance to take home some cash if things don’t go to plan on the greens.
Games commence at 12:30 pm. Entry sheets for each week’s play are always on the Bowls Office notice board.
Visitors and single entries are always welcome. Please include a contact telephone number when placing your name on the entry sheets.
Men’s Pairs Grand Final
The Men’s Pairs Grand Final was played last Thursday, with Greg Green and Gary Presnell facing Julian Jones and Ian Keat. At the end of the day, Greg and Gary proved too strong, and congratulations to both of them on winning the 2025/2026 final.
Friday Social Bowls
After the long break during pennant season, Friday Social Bowls returned on Friday, 20 March.
Numbers were light, with 28 players participating, but we hope attendance will increase to the high 30s or 40s as the season progresses.
Friday’s games were played on free-running rinks under fine weather, making for a great afternoon of bowling. On rink 11, Denise Trubiano and Carolyn Boston won first prize.
The runners-up, on rink 14 (nicknamed Siberia), were Anthony Clotta and Robert Watt. The lucky loser’s consolation prize went to Gavin Borwick and Doug McTier.
The first Lucky Number prize was won by Norm Windebank, and the second by Lynne Baxter.
The Friday Social organisers would like to see more entries in the coming weeks.
If you’re after a great afternoon of bowls on excellent greens with good tunes in the background, why not enter a team? Entry sheets are always on the Bowls Office notice board.
Single entries and visitors are welcome, and please include a contact telephone number when placing your name.
End of Pennant Season Function
The end-of-season celebration will be held this Sunday, 29 March, at the lagoon. The afternoon commences at 12:00 pm, with entertainment starting at 12:30 pm. The format includes a BBQ with salads followed by dessert.
This promises to be a great afternoon to catch up with your bowling friends and celebrate a successful season for YMGCR.
It’s also a chance to connect with members before many head off to warmer climates for the winter. Please place your names on the attendee sheets, which are now on the Bowls Office notice board.
For those attending, if possible, the organising committee asks that you bring along a salad or dessert to assist with catering.
Press reports will take a short break and will recommence with the 15 April edition of the Chronicle. Until then, good bowling.
Yarrawonga Bowls Club
Let’s Get Lit
After the success of installing new lights on the front green, the club is now installing new lighting on the newly replaced back green, meaning we can host and play on a premium surface at night.
This will enable night pennant, extend our barefoot bowls capacity, and host up to 30 teams on occasions such as our monthly nighttime triples matches.
The board is to be commended for continuing to invest in strategic development of the club premises and for sound management principles that keep the club in a strong financial position to support these initiatives. Well done.
Events
Monday 2nd March Social bowls – please note that social bowls now starts at 12:30pm.
Saturday 14th March - Twelve players took to the green for our second Saturday session of the year. Winners were P. Markby and S. Becca. Well done. The jackpot was not claimed.
Saturday 21st March - Twelve players enjoyed a beautiful sunny afternoon. G. Wood and E. O’Connor took the cash for the day, and the jackpot again went unclaimed.
Monday 16th March - Thirty-six optimistic bowlers turned up, but rain interrupted play continuously until the session was abandoned. Five random card selections were used, allowing five happy teams to collect prizes, with Leanne Heather claiming the jackpot.
Barefoot Bowls
The ever-popular barefoot bowls continues to thrive under the new lights, with strong numbers attending this well-loved activity. Thursday nights really are like a family—come and join the fun. Cost is $5 and includes a BBQ dinner.
The BBQ starts at 6pm, bowls from 6:30pm to approximately 8:30pm, with raffles and prizes. Please have your name on the sheet at the front of the clubhouse by 3pm and notify us if you need to cancel so the draw can be done correctly.
Friday Night Happy Hour
Last Friday saw a happy group of bowlers enjoying camaraderie and a chat to round out the week.
Friday 27th will feature the monthly finger food and preparations for our fabulous Easter tournament the following week. Finger food is always provided by the club on the last Friday of the month.
Why not come along for a cold drink and a yarn? Happy Hour runs every Friday from 5–6pm, with the bar open from 4pm.
Sponsors Barefoot Bowls Shield Night
Wednesday 25th March, 5:30–8:30pm
The annual sponsors barefoot bowls shield night is fast approaching.
This is the night we invite sponsors for a fun evening of bowling, socialising, and mingling with other local businesses. It’s our way of thanking sponsors for their ongoing support and showing our appreciation.
Of course, the most important part of the evening is to vie for the coveted Yarrawonga Bowls Club Sponsors Shield, the bragging rights.
Last year, in our inaugural event, Team Cumberoona took the honours. Who will claim victory this year?
The club encourages as many spectators as possible to come and support the sponsors, just as they support us. The bar will be open from 5pm.
ClubMulwala Bowls
Friends in Common Tournament
ClubMulwala Bowls had the honour of hosting the Friends in Common Bowls Tournament last Sunday.
Twenty-eight teams took to the greens for the event, and a wonderful BBQ lunch was enjoyed by all.
Winners on the day:
- 1st: Bev Hulm, Wayne Hulm, and Wayne’s brother from Mathoura
- 2nd: “Killer Queens” and Eugene O’Connor
- 3rd: Faye Cook’s team
A great raffle was held, with the major prize being a large Rich Glen hamper box. We thank Rich Glen for their donation.
Thanks also to all ClubMulwala bowlers who volunteered, sold raffle tickets, organised the tournament, and competed, as well as the hard-working volunteers from Friends in Common.
All money raised goes directly to Friends in Common, whose work is so appreciated by our local community.
2026/2027 Membership
Come and join Club Mulwala Bowls for the 2026/2027 season, home of the Kookaburras. Full membership is only $100 and includes a free pennant shirt for all new members. Social membership remains $10.
Full membership also includes free coaching, free entry to all club championship games, and a free dinner at the AGM/Presentation Night.
The club’s motto is “Come and have a laugh with us.” Club Mulwala welcomes players of all bowling abilities.
New to bowls? We would love to meet you. Come along and learn from our coach and experienced players. The club has bowls for you to use while you learn and practice on our beautiful greens.
Members are welcome to play and practice at any time throughout the year. Membership application forms and information are available on the noticeboard at the greens. For further information, contact Wade: 0428 227 889.
Tuesday Social Bowls
Social Bowls is back on Tuesdays. Games start at 10 am, so please be at the greens by 9:30 am. Cost is $5 per player. Names on the board by 8 am Tuesday. Visitors to the region are very welcome. Prizes are awarded each week. Last week’s Tuesday game was unfortunately cancelled due to rain.
Barefoot Bowls
To book a Barefoot Bowls session, contact the club to arrange a fun afternoon or evening. All equipment is supplied.
This is a perfect activity for your business, club, or family/friends social outing. The music is fresh, the atmosphere lively, the drinks chilled, and the laughter contagious. Email: clubmulwalabowls@gmail.com for bookings.
Club Championships
Several men’s games have taken place over the past week. Wayne Dowsey and Wade McPherson had a very tight match against the “Ian’s” – Mr Price and Mr Morffew – with the W’s winning by one shot.
They now play Darren Liversidge and Grant Wangman, another new bowler and great addition to the club.
Ray Butler, also a new Club Mulwala bowler, and Greg Bennett played a nail-biting match, winning by one shot over veterans Darryl Richmond and Steve McPhee.
The match of the week will be between Darki Day and Les Spencer versus Andy Lefevre and Jimmy Lefevre.
In the ladies’ section, the game between Bev Hulm and Di Day versus Lisa Burnham and Judy Laughlin will take place this week.
The winners will play Liz Murdoch and Nicole McPherson. Kay Smith and Jan Tabart will also take on Kim Lefevre and Betty Richmond to secure a place in the semi-final.
The Grand Finals for both competitions are expected in early April. Good luck to all players. Go Burras!
Upcoming events
- Duke of Edinburgh Shield Tournament: Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April. A list is on the noticeboard if you would like to, and are eligible to, play.
- Remember Our Heroes Tournament: Sunday 26th April. A list will go up on the noticeboard to place your name to enter. This tournament is important as the club pays respect to all who served our country.
- AGM/Presentation Night: Date to be advised, expected late May at the Endeavour Room, Club Mulwala. Nomination forms for all positions will be posted on the noticeboard. No nominations will be accepted at the AGM. All current members are encouraged to attend to celebrate the great season and help shape the future. The club will provide a free dinner to all members. A list to attend will be placed on the noticeboard.
ClubMulwala Indoor Bowls
Monday 2/2/26 winners on a count back.
Lynne Harmer, Jeanette Davies, Sue Stillard and Dot Shanks on 26.
2nd on 26 Judi Cummins, Linda Rodney,
Joan Wilson and Jill Cunningham.
Monday 16/2/26 Winners on 34 Lyn Harmer, Margaret Hill, Sue Stillard and Chris Wilson.
2nd on 20 Jeanette Davies, Annie King Dot Shanks and Pam Rice.
Monday 2/3/26 Winners on 29 Tricia Murphy, Steve Jones, Alan Bruce and Geoff Charlwood.
2nd on 22 Judi Cummins, Steve Rodney, Marge Hill and Joan Wilson.
Thursday 5/3/26 Winners on 31 Tricia Murphy, Annie King, Sue Stillard and Joan Wilson.
2nd on 22 Lynne Harmer, Joyce Torpy, Lyn Ryan and Geoff Charlwood.
Thursday 12th/3/26 Winners on countback.
Steve Jones, Barb Eberle, Lyn Ryan and Dot Shanks.
Monday 16//3/26 Winners on 31 Helen Smith, Sue Stillard and Joan Wilson.
2nd on 21 Tricia Murphy, Barb Eberle, Jill Cunningham and Dot Shanks.
Tungamah Bowls Club
Raffle tickets are still available and will be drawn in a couple of weeks. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from Tunga Shop, Post Office, Pub, or any club player.
Prizes include:
- First Prize: Return flights for two people with five nights’ accommodation in Noosa, $1,000 spending money, undercover parking at the airport with car wash and clean, and a limo from Maroochydore to accommodation.
- Second Prize: Six tickets to a Melbourne Storm game at AAMI Park in the corporate lounge, including food, beverages, and entertainment.
- Third Prize: Stihl chainsaw, carry case, and esky.
Drawn April 18 at presentation night. The club sincerely thanks the Tripp family for their generous support.
Everything at our club is done on a voluntary basis.
The greens are maintained by a dedicated group: Graham Sampson, Richard Thomson, Mick Sheanne, and Allan Ralph, who still take guidance when needed from former player Warrick Henderson, curator of Wodonga Bowls Club.
This green has been applauded by the Ovens & Murray Bowls Association and member clubs for its excellent condition.
David Haebich tends to the surrounds inside and outside the perimeter, while John Hemphill, as catering manager, has ensured members have been well-fed throughout the season.
Dianne Sampson and Gavin Lawless have ensured tournaments are well-filled.
All these players, along with numerous others, have contributed to making our season a social success. Next year, we hope to see more success on the green.
Well done to our midweek pennant team, who again carried the flag, finishing third, although unable to go the whole way.
Accolades also go to Yarrawonga Friends in Common, who held their annual triples tournament at Club Mulwala on Sunday, February 22.
It was wonderful to see players from the local area, other O&M clubs, and numerous visitors compete in support of this remarkable organisation, which supports anyone affected by cancer, regardless of circumstance. It was a social day enjoyed by many.
Finals of the pairs and minor championship will be held next week. The members’ draw, BBQ, and bar continue until all events are finalised. Greens will remain open as several events are still programmed.
Upcoming events:
- March 27: Tungamah Cricket Club Presentation Night – Barefoot bowls, BBQ, bar, raffle, and auction. Come along and join these young and not-so-young cricketers who have raised the flag once again, hoping to reproduce some of Tungamah’s historic cricket victories. (Some may even show potential to take up bowls when the time is right.)
- March 28: Boosey 1000 Classic – Annual triples event sponsored by Club President Andrew O’Halloran’s Roller Blinds business. This event is well supported by locals and visitors alike, with fierce competition and Tunga’s well-known hospitality.
- April 18: Presentation Night at the Tungamah Hotel – Put your names down now for catering purposes.
- April 24: AGM.