Update 27th May 2020

Dear Members,

As you are aware, the State Government has eased its restrictions regarding COVID-19, effectively allowing Bowling Clubs to open their greens to allow 10 players per green, which will increase to 20 players per green on Monday 1 June 2020.  Social distancing rules will still apply at all times.

The Committee is eager to get our members back on the green as soon as possible however we have been constrained by the Boroondara Council and MCC who have both required their approval of our Return to Play Plan.  Boroondara Council has now approved our plan, however the MCC has yet to give approval for opening.  Through our continual discussions with the MCC Club Sport Coordinator we know that the MCC is considering the impacts of opening at all its sporting sections and the safety of all its staff and members. Also, when the MCC give their approval there will not be an instantaneous opening as they will want to ensure all boxes are ticked first, eg. thorough cleaning of premises which has not occurred since the shutdown.

Please be assured that the Committee will continue to endeavour to open our greens as soon as possible. Further details regarding guidelines and booking processes will be advised at that time.

Thank you again for your patience.

Dear Members,

Further to the announcement from our Premier yesterday that sporting facilities can open from midnight tonight as per the Stage 1 guidelines, the club is awaiting approval from the MCC and the Boroondara Council to be able to open as per the guidelines. Accordingly, our club facilities will remain closed until these approvals are given.

Once I have approvals to open our club facilities I will inform all members and provide details regarding numbers and distancing requirements.

In the meantime keep well and safe.

Regards,

Ian McKay

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all are well and keeping safe.

Even though we are unable to bowl at the moment, the Committee is still planning for when restrictions are eased, and finally lifted. As mentioned previously, the AGM will be later than in previous years. If required, we will apply to Consumer Affairs Victoria for an extension to the time limit in which it must be held. This being the case, the current Committee will continue until the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted sufficiently to hold the AGM.

Again, in planning for future lifting of restrictions, if possible, we will aim to get all unfinished Season 2019/20 club games completed before Opening Day for Season 2020/21 (which is tentatively set for Saturday 5 September 2020). Of course this will only be possible if restrictions are lifted.

I will be in touch with everybody again as things evolve in the Covid-19 world we live in.

Regards

Ian McKay – Secretary
MCC Bowls Section

Bowls Victoria has advised that any official requiring re-accreditation during 2020 will have their current accreditation extended for a further twelve months due to Covid-19.

Fellow Bowlers

I hope and trust that you are all well and staying safe! At this time of the year we are generally finalising club events, preparing for the AGM and Presentation Night, having a roll on our greens and generally enjoying each other’s company. As you are obviously aware, the AGM and Presentation night have been postponed to a later date. There’s an old Greek saying , in fact it’s an Ancient Athenian phrase, that the great orator and aristocrat Pericles often used whilst addressing his peers, roughly translated is “we live in changing times”.

In the last week we were informed that John Burrows has passed away. John was an absolute gentleman, an excellent bowler and a great clubman. I got to know John over many years whilst playing with him at Glen Street in the winter months. I always enjoyed his company and it is very sad that as a Section  we were not able to attend his funeral to show him and his family the respect  we had for him.

Whilst writing this communique I have also been informed that Graeme Connelly had lost his long battle with cancer who was another massive contributor to our section. His hard work and commitment to mid-week bowls will be greatly missed.  Again, it is so sad that we won’t be able to show our respect for such a fine man.

On a brighter note, our Division 1 side won our section, then played off in a semi-final and won promotion to the Premier Division for next season. It was a very strange feeling  playing all our finals without spectators. After our win against Warburton BC we came back to celebrate at the club. Although we couldn’t enjoy the occasion with you, we certainly made the most it. Thank you to Michael Wilson’s wife Amanda, for driving me home, the rest of the team very sensibly took Ubers home, except for Peter Marget who caught an ambulance to the Box Hill Hospital and spent a night in emergency. He is okay now but I suspect his ego isn’t.

I would encourage you all to make a few phone calls or send an email to your fellow bowlers. I have received several calls from members just wanting a chat. We will get through this together but in the meantime let’s still communicate with each other. Stay safe and stay connected.

Best wishes to you all.

Manny Galanos

Chair – MCC Bowls Section

Dear Members,

It is with great sadness that I advise that Graeme Connelly passed away yesterday after his battle with cancer.

Condolences to his wife Penny and family.

Regards

Ian McKay, Secretary

Amid all the changes to our lives recently, our top side played off in the Division Semi Final against Warburton at Mooroolbark on Saturday 21st March.

The game was played in great spirit with our MCC team coming away with the win and promotion through to Premier Division for Season 2020/21.

Scores from the game:

Gallagher 22 – 17 Van Der Zweep
Green 19 – 15 B Woods
Jansen 23 – 12 Brookes
Wilson 25 – 17 P Woods

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