Dear Members

I write to inform you that our fellow member, John Burrows died last night in Hospital. He would have been 90 years of age in June. John has been a member of the MCC Bowls Section since August 2001 and was an enthusiastic and valued member. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a gentleman and great fellow.

Because of the COVID-19 restrictions on attendances at Funerals, members of the Club will not be able to attend his funeral. Rev Jim Donaldson a member of our club and will be the officiating Minister at his service, will pass on our condolences and wishes to his family.

Regards

Ian McKay, Secretary

Dear Members,

The AGM was due to be held on Wednesday 6 May 2020 but due to the COVID-19 this meeting will be postponed until further notice.

Regards

Ian McKay, Secretary

Dear Members,

Following the latest COVID-19 updates from the Prime Minister and the Victorian Premier it has been decided that the MCC Bowls club will be closed until further notice.

This means members cannot access the club premises and therefore there will be no club games, social bowls or card playing at our venues. Outstanding club games are postponed and the playing of these games will be addressed at a future date.  If any member needs to collect belongings please contact Ian McKay to arrange access to the premises.

Please stay safe and follow the COVID-19 self-isolation directives to do our bit to contain this virus outbreak.

On a lighter note, for those members who don’t know, the MCC Bowls Division 1 Side was successful on Saturday against Warburton (89 to 61) and will be promoted to Premier Division next season.

As a duty of care to our members, the following rules will be in place immediately due to the COVID19:

• Wednesday Midweek Bowls will cease.
• Bankers on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday will cease.
• Meeting of our Bridge Players will cease.
• Club games that need to played to enable an event to finish will be allowed to be played. Spectators are strongly discouraged, but must adhere to the distance requirement of 1.5m between people.
• Members Day and Two Bowl Singles will not commence.
• Casual roll ups are not encouraged but allowed at this stage providing no more than 4 players to a rink and an empty rink between any rinks with players.

Any person who is feeling unwell please refrain from attending the club in any circumstance.

At this stage, Southern Indoor Bowls Club have postponed the start of Night Winter Pennant. In addition, we have had no advice regarding whether the Saturday Winter Pennant will proceed.

Please note, details regarding the Annual General Meeting and Presentation Night will be announced shortly.

Ian McKay, Secretary

UPDATE

THE BIGGEST MORNING TEA 2020

Due to the current heath concerns with COVID-19, this year Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser event scheduled for Thursday 23rd April has been CANCELLED.

We obviously regret having to make this decision but, in the circumstances, there is no option.

HOwever for those who would like to to take the opportunity to make a donation, the Cancer Council has made it possible, by the way of a link  which has been established for our specific event.

www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/fundraisers/MCCBowlsandCroquetSections

Thank you,

Annie Kendall – BMT Coordinator

Bowls Victoria has just released information about the remaining Pennant Finals for both Midweek and Weekend Pennant. See link for updated details https://www.bowlsvic.org.au/2020/03/17/coronavirus-impact-on-upcoming-events/

Midweek Pennant

Finals will continue tomorrow as planned. Sectional Final for MCC 1 will play at Heathmont BC and MCC 2 will play at Rosanna BC. Following these matches all game will be postponed to try and play them at a later date.

No spectators are allowed at these venues and will be asked to leave upon arrival.

Weekend Pennant

The Division 1 Semi Final will go ahead for our top side against Warburton. As with the Midweek Sides this game will be spectator free and anyone not approved to be at the venue will be asked to leave. We ask that our members respect these rules that have been put in place by the Controlling Body Bowls Victoria. We will work out a way of providing score updates through our Facebook Page for the game.

Good luck to all our bowlers in finals.

Pennant Finals are still scheduled to be played this weekend.

Bowls Victoria has released advice for the game which include:
– Games are for Players, Managers and Coaches only, which means spectator free
– Refrain from normal hand shaking
– Refrain from picking up other players bowls

https://www.bowlsvic.org.au/2020/03/13/coronavirus-impact-on-upcoming-events/

We will keep you informed if more information comes to hand.