Carnival Wrap Up

Marion Bowling Club hosted the 55th RSL National Bowls Carnival from 29th April to 6th May 2024. The Ceremony of Remembrance got the carnival under way at 0815. We were pleased to see the President of RSL SA/NT in attendance along with the Mayor of Marion. Our bugler, Elinor Hughes is a year 10 student at Brighton High School who also blew the Last Post and Rouse at Brighton RSL's dawn service.

Some highlights from the carnival

Jack Hamilton VC Trophy

As you all know, New South Wales won the main event, followed by Victoria and then by SA. Whilst we have finished in third spot quite a few times over recent years, this one was special because we were in second spot with one round to play and a real chance of taking the trophy.

We had to beat Queensland - a job that was done in good style - but the other results we needed didn't go our way. A massive win to Victoria took them past us into second place by one shot.

Congratulations to all players for their hard work over the tournament.

Dr Sydney Krantz Trophy

Unfortunately, we did not fare very well in the Krantz competition finishing a distant fifth behind Queensland, Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria.

After the first four rounds, Tasmania - skipped by former Queenslander Doug Smith - was a clear first and needed only to beat Queensland to secure the trophy. A big win to the Queenslanders took them past Tassie for the win.

Ironic that Doug Smith skipped the Queensland team to victory in Perth last year.

National Fours Championship

Perhaps no surprise that teams skipped by Pat Phelan (Vic) and Moose Sweeney (WA) made the final once again. No doubt Pat was very pleased to reverse last year's result to take out the competition this time around.

I personally tipped one of our young gun teams - Chris Venning and co. - to make it through to at least the semis. Whilst that didn't happen, Ian James and his first time combo did get through to semi final stage and finished a gallant equal third.

Have to say thanks to all who helped out by filling spots in a number of teams. Their participation ensured that we did not need to reduce the field to five sections with the added complications that brings in deciding finalists.

Sponsorship

Carnivals like ours cannot be run without assistance from sponsors. With no help coming from DVA this time, commercial sponsorship became vital for us to run the carnival properly without using up all of our reserve finances.

Particular thanks must go to Simplicity Funerals, RSL Care SA, Club Marion, Kanga Coaches and Suburban Taxis for their direct cash donations and to Marion Bowling Club for their highest bid in our venue selection tender process.

Other companies and individuals also donated prizes for our raffles. These included Phil Hoffman Travel, Wirra Wirra Wines, Arnotts biscuits, Bunnings, Dennis Duthie, Larraine Ratcliffe, Scott Clarke, Lyn Nicholson and Cassandra Raspe.

Our raffle sales totalled about $3000 out of which we had a surplus of about $2500 after our own contribution to the prize pool and very small cost of raffle tickets.

Pot Pourri

Congratulations to Jeff Allen, Lyn Hargreaves and their teams from Marion BC for their excellent service over the length of the carnival. Great meals and efficient service at the bar were a real highlight.

Also to Steve Dennis and his helpers for their provision of fantastic greens over the two sections of the carnival.

We had a few on the sick list over the event with Ric Griffen in hospital with pneumonia, Fred Blake suffering with Covid, Col Davies withdrawing for a day with knee and hip issues and Des Perkins also having to pull out late in the fours with leg problems. Whilst Fred and Ric have recovered, we understand that Des is still in hospital and Col goes in for hip surgery on the 13th of May.

We are considering starting a fundraising campaign to buy a suit for the president of RSL SA & NT in the event that he has to speak in public again.

We are also thinking of contributing to the cost of new spectacles for the volunteer who raised the Asutralian Flag upside down on day two.

It would also be remiss of us not to remind WA that somebody must bring the state flag with them.

Our umpire, Ray Woolley was left on his own when all other officials headed out to play bowls in Mildura. Sterling work from Ray who never lost it when he was put under pressure by many of us. We were pleased to hear on the last day of the event that Ray has been nominated for the Bowls SA Umpire of the Year Award. Let's hope his hard work for us gets him across the line.

Finally, the team dinner at Club Marion was a success. Lots of laughter, not too many speeches and a good feed made for a fun evening. Some very positive feedback from members with at least one telling me he thought it was the best team dinner he had attended. What was really interesting is that we didn't exceed the drinks budget so everyone got freebies all night. Thanks to Lynn Jones for organising it for us.