Sport
14 January, 2025
Second annual Charity Round to recommence the 2024-25 bowls season this week
The 2025 local Lawn Bowls calendar will roll off with a bang, as the second annual Charity Round commences today.
Following the successful launch of the concept last year, all 25 teams from Midweek, Weekend division one and two will converge onto the Maryborough Highland Society greens to play their first round of 2025.
Round 10 of Midweek Pennant will commence at 9.30 am today while Saturday’s action will start with Round 12 of division two at 9.30, followed by division one at 1.30 pm.
All green fees and donations across the two days of play will go towards the Goldfields Palliative Care Unit at the Maryborough District Health Service (MDHS).
Highland Bowls secretary Jason Arthur hopes bowlers will continue to enjoy the round and surpass the $4100 raised for MDHS Maryborough Cancer Research Centre last year.
“It was very well received by all bowlers last year and I’m expecting the same this year,” he said.
“There was this sense of giving back to the community.
“With the aging population of the bowlers, some have had their own experiences with palliative care with loved ones going through it and any of us could be there ourselves.”
Similar to last year, bowlers will be allowed to showcase their creativity as organisers have encouraged players to dress up for the occasion.
The Maryborough Highland Society will also provide food and beverages after games for players to enjoy while socialising with teammates and opponents.
According to Arthur, ensuring bowlers enjoy their time on the greens is just as important to the league as the competition side.
“Having everyone play at the Highland brings everyone together and there’s that added comradery you don’t get from a normal game of bowls,” he said.
“We have got a uniform exemption from Bowls Victoria and the secretary at Maldon made up these little purple tutus that all of the Maldon players wore last year which was fantastic.”
Due to the successes of the Charity Round, which was the first of its kind in Victoria, Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields playing area have decided to implement the idea into their other two leagues.
Arthur hopes to see the format expand locally and to other regions across the state.
“It’s something we are hoping will be ingrained into the culture and schedule,” he said.
“I know the Bendigo league and the Campaspe league are doing it well so we are hoping it’s something that spreads across Victoria.
“There is a fair bit of significance where we want it to spread because it gives back to the community.”