A pleasant Sunday evening at the Melbourne Bowls Club saw 93 members and their families get together to support and recognise our 2013 association award winners.
Luke Walker, five time grand final goal umpire and current executive member took out the All Australian for the best goal umpire and the Leigh Keen Shield as the goal umpire of the year for his contribution both on and off field to the association. Luke previously won the award in 2011. He was also presented with his grand final photograph.
Boundary umpire of the year and recipient of the Murray Williams Shield was Michael Saunders. Michael, who umpired his first grand final this year is the association representative for the NSW based association members and a strong supporter of the association. Michael said in his acceptance speech, “it’s humbling to have your peers appreciate that you’ve done it in the right way, especially when I don’t see them week in and week out.”
Field umpire of the year, Chris Kamolins was awarded the Bishop Shield. David Howlett presented the award to Chris and detailed its background and significance to the association. Chris finished in the top 16 ranked field umpires on field and was a member of the executive team.
Three young umpires took out the most promising first or second year awards. Michael Palm received the Brian Pratt medallion, Mathew Tomkins took out the Bill Sutton Medallion and Brendan Hosking the award for the most promising field umpire.
All Australian recipients were, Mat Nicholls (field), Nathan Doig (boundary) and Luke Walker (goal).
Five members received their life memberships for being 10 year members, Peter Cohen, Stephen Sheahan, Mat Nicholls, Stefan Grun and Chris Morrison. Lloyd Fisk and George Lawlor were presented with their Honorary Life Memberships for providing significant support to the association over many years.
Steve McBurney was presented with his retirement gift. Stuart Wenn spoke about “Jack’s attributes” as a significant on field chapter closed.
The kids were entertained by a clown and they enjoyed the spaces of the bowling club to run around during a break in presentations.
It was great to see many older life members in attendance including John Sutcliffe, Ross Raphael who became a life member in 1963, Ian Brown, George Mather and his family, Paul Saville, Chris Mitchell, Wayne Hinton and David and Bette Howlett. Throw in Noel Rose and his wife Sandra, Ron Bailey and Doug Bartlett and we had a very large cross section of the old and the current members mixing and enjoying each other’s company.
Congratulations to all of those who were presented with 2013 awards.
Life Member: Peter Cohen
