The very inclusive Werribee Bowls Club has again conducted its biggest bowls tournament for the year, hosting the 48th instalment of its Italy vs Australia Day.
Found around 30 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD, Werribee is a diverse precinct that counted a lot of Italian immigrants back in 1978. This prompted the idea for the annual competition.
It has now been running 48 years, and after six months of preparation more than 160 bowlers, VIPs and visitors assembled on Sunday, 6 April.
A veritable army of volunteers helped coordinate the effort to bring and accommodate the pride of the two country’s bowlers. The day kicked off with breakfast at 7:45, before a bowls match of 40 ends began at 9:30am.
The Club’s “angels” worked the kitchen, providing the breakfast, a delicious three-course lunch and dinner for every single person.
“It’s become almost iconic,” offers club administrator Tanya King.
“Many of the bowlers who attend come from far and wide, including a team from St Leonards, Victoria who arrive in a limousine each year!
“Thank you to all who came to play for Italy or Australia. And a special thank you to our special guests and VIPs who attended!”
King adds “a massive thank you” to 86-year-old life member Colin Thompson and his wife Denise, who “have lovingly tended to this very popular calendar event for over 25 years”.
And after a day of competition, traversing hundreds of woods hunting jacks, this year the winning name on the shield is: AUSTRALIA.
