Bowls volunteers given awards

Lawn bowls volunteers from several Peninsula bowling clubs were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the sport at a bowls day luncheon at Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club on March 5.

Six Peninsula club members, along with seven other Central Coast bowls volunteers, were presented with Sport Achievement Awards by Member for Robertson Ms Belinda Neal.

Herbert Dodd and Robert Brien from Everglades Bowling Club, Ian Hewitt of Ettalong Memorial Bowling Club, Raymond Ransome from Umina Beach Bowling Club and

Woy Woy Bowling Club's James Cook and Raymond Wise were recognised for their commitment to their local bowling club.

"Volunteers such as these dedicated bowls officials form the backbone of the sport on the Central Coast," Ms Neal said.

"They are the true unsung heroes of the community and they deserve our heartfelt congratulations."

Ms Neal said sport plays an important part in the lives of thousands of Central Coast residents.

"Sports such as bowls help people establish and maintain vital community networks throughout the Coast.

"For many people, their local bowling club is an irreplaceable social hub that binds the community together.

"Volunteering has a significant, long-established place in the Central Coast community.

"There are nearly 100 people here today, either as bowls players or club officials.

"All of them are volunteers and they provide a service that brings significant benefits to their sport and to their community.

A bowls match was also played out and featured 24 teams from across the district.

"The Sport Minister's Sport Achievement Awards recognise the outstanding contribution made by these 13 volunteers to their bowls clubs," Ms Neal said.

Press release, 5 Mar 2009 Belinda Neal, Member for Robertson