BOWLS
Margot Rooney and Steve Lovison are founding members of the Yallourn North Bowling Club and have poured themselves into every facet of the club since its formation in 1976.
Now 90, Lovison has found himself taking on more than his fair share of responsibility at the club after the exit of some key committee members.
“I’ve got to write the annual report up for the secretary, the president … I’ve been the licensee of the club for 16 [years] so I’ve got to write a report for everybody because nobody else will,” Lovison said.
“Before Christmas our secretary left so everybody has been trying to do their bit … but we’re oldies and we need to get some new blood.
“Margot [Rooney] and another life member Mavis McAllister, who is 91, have been doing an excellent job of keeping the club going, but we need help.”
Rooney, who wears many hats at Yallourn North, is treasurer, ladies’ tournament organiser and chief kitchen hand, among other things.
While she loves the club and wouldn’t have it any other way, Rooney admitted the small band of committed members needed help.
“I’m here every Monday, Friday for carpet bowls and Tuesday when its pennant … I spend a lot of time here,” she said.
“It’s rewarding because it keeps you busy … I lost my husband last year and if it wasn’t for the bowling club, what would I be doing?
“But we need new bowlers and bowlers that are prepared to pitch in and help the club work.”
While the club boasted about 70 members around the time of its inception, numbers have dwindled to just 32 in 2018.
Yallourn North used to field a division two pennant team, and more recently, a team in division four but have struggled to make up the numbers in recent years.
“The last couple of years we haven’t had enough members and we’ve only just managed to get division four together,” Lovison said.
“The ladies have diminished shockingly … they need 12 in their division and they only have eight or nine if they’re fit, so the men have to fill in on Tuesday pennant.
“At the moment we’re battling.”
The club is set to benefit from refurbishments to its clubhouse to complement its first-class, synthetic greens and newly erected shelters.
“We have fantastic facilities … we just need some new blood,” Lovison said.
Winter bowls at Yallourn North commences on Monday, May 7 from 10.30am.
The Yallourn North Bowling Club annual general meeting is open to the public and will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at 7pm at the club.
For more information, phone Steve 5127 3283 or Margot on 5167 1565.
