The Semi Final and Final of the Women’s Club Championship will be held tomorrow from 11am.

• Semi Final: Tris Doolan vs Alison Hall
• Final: Anne Draffen vs Winner (Doolan/Hall)

Get down and watch at Swinburne what will be 2 great matches.

After discussions between the Greens Director and Greenkeeper it has been decided that the Swinburne Ave greens will re-open on Thursday 23 January for practice and pennant.

Accordingly, those members playing in the Midweek Pennant sides playing home on Tuesday 21 January (1^st, 4^th & 5^th sides) will be playing at Glen St.

Next Tuesday (17 December) and Saturday (21 December) will be our last games of pennant prior to the Christmas break. It is traditional that Christmas Breakups are held to celebrate the festive season.

Midweek Pennant

After the completion of games on Tuesday (17 December), members from all sides are invited back to the Swinburne Avenue Clubrooms for some nibbles and refreshments.

Saturday Pennant

At the completion of pennant games on Saturday (21 December), all members are invited back to the Swinburne Avenue Clubrooms for a Christmas Breakup including complimentary fingerfood and drinks at bar prices.  For catering purposes, it is requested that members wishing to attend put their names down on the lists located at the Swinburne  Avenue and Glen Street clubrooms, or advise Ian McKay via email by no later than COB Monday 16 December 2019.

If members have any dietary requirements please advise Reg Davis 0409 771 086 or regbd50@yahoo.com .

This year our Green Keepers will be renovating both greens at Swinburne Avenue starting on the Sunday 22nd December. They will be top dressing the greens as well as other maintenance activities.

As we will be top dressing, the green keepers are seeking willing members to come down the club on the morning of Sunday 22nd December to assist in moving the top soil around the greens. So if you can spare some time to assist it will be much appreciated. A BBQ breakfast/lunch will be provided for those who can come and assist. Timing will be provided

With the greens being close at Swinburne Avenue until Thursday 23rd January there are a few important things to note:

• If you want to play your club games at Swinburne Avenue you will need to have these completed prior to Sunday 22nd December.
• Glen Street (grass and synthetic) will be available during this period for all games
• With Midweek starting back on Tuesday 21st January, games to be played at home will be played at Glen Street for this round. More details will follow from our Secretary.

We thank you for your understanding during this time, as the time we give the greens now will provide better greens into the future.

Well what a week it was up in Shepparton for the 2019 Victorian Open.

MCC Bowls had approximately 20 bowlers and 1 official in attendance throughout the week, which is a great representation, even catching the eye of all the others bowlers at the venues.

On the greens we had great success with many of our bowlers reaching the knockout stages at Shepparton Park. Most notably we have the following results:

• Fay Winther with her composite team (Jody Nevill and Kerri Leask) winning the Women’s Triples Gold Medal
• Anne Draffen taking home the Gold Medal in the Women’s Singles

Also in the Vic Medal (awarded to the player who accumulates most points across all four disciplines, we had some note worthy results:

• Anne Draffen came equal 2nd on 18 points
• Sam Robinson came 4th with 17 points, plus won through to the Round of 16 in all four disciplines

A great effort by all, and the support we gave each of our team mates was outstanding, with it even being noted on the Bowls Vic Live stream.

As always keep up the great work and Carn C’s

For those members who knew Father, a former member of the MCC Bowls Section.

Fr Graeme Stuart SSS died peacefully at St Vincent’s Hospital, Fitzroy on Thursday 14 November 2019, aged 72 years.

Graeme was professed in the Blessed Sacrament Congregation on 3 March 1975 and ordained on 19 August 1978. Prior to joining religious life, he played professional Aussie Rules footy (St Kilda Football Club) and later served in the Victorian Police Force in the Melbourne Metropolitan Region. During his time away from the Congregation, he worked in the Victorian State Government office.

Fr Graeme served the Lord and the church faithfully and generously over many years accepting various appointments within the Province. During his time as Province leader (2006-2014) he also served on the Executive Council of Catholic Religious Victoria and Yarra Theological Union. Graeme spent his last years at St Francis’ Community, Melbourne. He will be missed by his family, his SSS brothers and his many friends. He will be remembered for his courage, kindness, generosity and prayerfulness.

At peace in the Lord’s embrace

The Funeral Eucharist for Fr Graeme Stuart Duro SSS will be celebrated at St Francis’ Church, 326 Lonsdale St (cnr Elizabeth St), Melbourne on Friday (22 November 2019)commencing at 12.00 noon.

After Mass, refreshments will be served in the Pastoral Centre followed by Burial at Williamstown Cemetery.

Vale Graeme Duro,

For those that knew Graeme we were saddened to hear that he had passed away,

I think that it is appropriate that we outline his contribution to the MCC Bowls Section,

Graeme joined the Bowls Section in 2002 and went on to play 215 games of Saturday Pennant his last season with us was in 2015-2016, his work made it extremely difficult for him to practice and play,

Graeme also played in our Division 1 premiership in 2003-2004. He also won the club triples and won the pairs leading for Normie Whitehead.

He was a fierce competitor, often it was difficult convincing our opponents that he was a man of the cloth.

Graeme was tremendous bowler to have playing with you and was often critical on the greens which was generally directed at himself he, was a perfectionist.

Off the greens Graeme was a great friend to many at MCC  Bowls and was also instrumental in assisting many members in times of need.

He made a  massive contribution and was always great company.

Graeme Duro was a great mate, fine bowler and a friend to many at MCC and will be missed.

Manny Galanos,

Chairman MCC Bowls

We have some up coming functions at the club which we required some Volunteers to help run.

Reg Davis is looking after all the planning for these function and would love to know if you’re able to help out with any of the below dates:

• Sunday 17th Nov
• Friday 22nd Nov
• Sunday 24th Nov
• Thursday 28th Nov (12 noon to 5 pm)
• Friday 29th Nov
• Friday 6th Dec
• Sunday 8th Dec
• Thursday 12th Dec
• Friday 13th Dec
• Wednesday 18th Dec
• Friday 20th December
• Saturday 28th December

If you’re able to assist, please contact Reg Davis either by phone (0409 771 086) or email (regbd50@yahoo.com)

With Ray Jansen preparing to head up to Ettalong NSW to represent Victoria in the Over 60’s State Side this weekend, we have some extra good news on the Representative front.

Tris Doolan and Anne Draffen have been selected in the 12 player Women’s side for Victoria to play South Australian in January 2020. While Brendan Gallagher has been selected in the Men’s 20 player squad for the same Test Series.

Well done to our players who have been selected to represent our great state!