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Sport

30 March, 2023

Ken to take on skydiving fundraiser challenge on his 85th birthday

Ken Gower is desperate to see his beloved Carisbrook Bowling Club become a force in the Goldfields Playing Area competition. While Carisbrook just missed out on the division two premiership, falling short by three shots in a classic encounter with...

By Maryborough Advertiser

Ken Gower.
Ken Gower.

Ken Gower is desperate to see his beloved Carisbrook Bowling Club become a force in the Goldfields Playing Area competition.

While Carisbrook just missed out on the division two premiership, falling short by three shots in a classic encounter with Highland White, it was a tougher season off the green for them, having to move away from the Carisbrook Bowling Club due to construction work.

Ken is keen to do something about it on his own volition.

To celebrate his 85th birthday in June, Ken wants to showcase the personalities within the Carisbrook Bowling Club by launching out of a plane and skydiving.

“I contacted a company in Torquay and asked whether parachute jumping is dangerous, but I was told it was one of the safest things you could do in Australia. I decided then that I would do it,” he said.

“I’m nervous, but fairly confident. Part of the reason was my father was a paratrooper, and killed in the war. It’s a part of the reason I wanted to do the parachute jump.”

Through his jump, Ken is looking to fundraise out of his own pocket with help from the general public, friends and family to get Carisbrook back on track ahead of their return to their home green.

Carisbrook had to move out of the green for the entirety of the 2022/23 season as stage four works on the Carisbrook Recreation Reserve commenced, which included a new bowls pavilion and new public amenities.

Ken says that making the grand final, given those circumstances, was an exceptional result for the club.

“We had a successful bowling year, we finished the season on top of the ladder, which was great given we didn’t have use of our bowling green. But unfortunately, financially, we didn’t have a great year,” he said.

Ken is determined to help Carisbrook get new equipment for their re-opening, and to ensure they’re in good shape as they look to challenge for the division two title.

“When we have our own green, and have Thursday social bowls, we have many visitors from neighbouring towns. Although we have a new building to move into, we still have to get cutlery, crockery, kitchen equipment, tables, chairs and everything which should be new and shiny,” he said.

Ken wants to use his skydiving as a means to show how Carisbrook members are always having fun.

“I want to show, more or less, how much our members get enjoyment out of our club. It’s a friendly club, we have a lot of fun and no one argues. We get on well together and it’s a friendly atmosphere,” he said.

Ken said he hopes to receive donations to help Carisbrook ahead of his jump, planned for July 1.

“It’s not for any particular thing, but once the jump is done, I’ll go to the committee that will be formed to decide where donations are spent,” he said.

“Hopefully it will be for something of value and for great use to the Carisbrook Bowling Club. My goal is to make Carisbrook the envy of all bowling clubs.”

To donate to the fundraiser, contact Ken on 0408 815 841 or 5460-5448.

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