A reminder that the traditional season opening cocktail party will be held at the Swinburne Avenue club rooms at 7:00pm on 12 September.

A notice has already been sent to all members and at this stage, acceptances are well down on previous years.

Please confirm your attendance as soon as possible with the Secretary.

Please note that bowls practice today (Saturday 4 September) has been cancelled.

Given Opening Day will be this Saturday, pennant practice commences at both facilities from Tuesday next week (31 August), on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.

A sausage sizzle will be held on Thursday next week (2 September) at 6:00pm, for a briefing by the selectors on the upcoming pennant season. Please make every effort to be at this key meeting to kick off the season.

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of club stalwart Russ Walkenden, at 9:30pm last night (24 August).

The Club extends its deepest sympathy to Jean and the rest of Russ's family. He was a true legend, and someone who I personally feel very privileged to have known. He was always on hand with words of encouragement, but equally, wasn't afraid to say what he thought if someone was out of line or he disagreed with something in particular. His happy smile will be sorely missed around the Club.

Russ's funeral will be held on Wednesday (1 September) at 2:30pm, at The Cordell Chapel, Upper Fawkner Crematorium. Any bowlers wishing to speak will be most welcome. Tributes to Russ can be found here.

I've had a note from Geoff Briggs to give a final reminder to anyone who may be interested in the UK Bowls Tour being planned by Bendigo Bowls Club in August – Sept 2011.

If anyone is interested, you will need to lodge your name with either Geoff on 03  54412882 or 0423 640867, or with Rod Brown of Jiminy Cricket Tours on 0400 192931 by Saturday August 28. No money is required at this stage.

Locally, Dan Mars has a copy of all the tour information for review.

A reminder that the season Opening Day is quickly approaching - a week earlier this year on 28 August. If you haven't advised the Secretary of your attendance, please do so as soon as possible.

The draws for the upcoming pennant season have been released by Bowls Victoria. Click the Mens and Womens links to view these.

Those in the know will immediately ask why we are doing a final washup still with one round to go.

Simply, all three sides are now out of contention as far as finals are concerned. The Monday and Tuesday night sides were right up there at different stages, but losses to both this past week have put paid to that.

Unfortunately, the Thursday night crew has struggled for much of the season and Gary Eaton has found it challenging to get a side on the green each week. So here is something to think about for next season - consider whether you would like to have a couple of hours of bowls at Southern Indoor once a week. It's a great way to stay in touch with club members and keep your delivery in sync. If we cannot get more players for Thursday, we will be unable to enter a side next season.

• Monday - lost to Port Melbourne by 7 shots 
  • Philpott / I Storey / Wilcox / Whitehead -11
  • R Meadows / Eaton / S Meadows / Thomson +4
• Tuesday - defeated Bentleigh by 19 shots
  • Aarons / Ziller / K Marshall / Daniel +4
  • Nichols / Teague / Butterworth / Hayes +15
• Thursday - lost to Armadale by 12 shots
  • Swan / McLeod / Sykes / Eaton -8
  • Saunders / G Rose / Rosen / Smart -4

Please note that, due to lack of numbers, the Hans Ebeling Room function scheduled for August 15 has been cancelled.