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February 06
Edition

Pages in PDF

Regular
Features

› Son Of A Gun
  with Mick Pacholli

› Fab's Ravings

› Technology
  with Chris Jacobs

› Are You
  Puzzled?
  with
  Narelle Stegehuis

› Family Issues
  with
  Marilyn Brideson

› Planet Clare

› Lovatts
  Crossword

› Live Theatre
  with Blair Edgar

› Movie Scene
  with
  Charlie Alexander

› Entertainment
  with Gary Turner

› Grazing in the
  Suburbs
  with Mick Pacholli

› Fab's Travel

› Talking Manure
  with Mick Pacholli

› Furry Friends
  with
  Dr Graeme Smith

› Racing
  with Ted Ryan

› Rant & Rave
  with
  Paddles Hackett

› Bowls
  with Mick Pacholli

› Motoring
  with Garry Fabian

› Short Cuts
  Writers
  Competition

Viva Italia

The Werribee Bowling Club have the pleasure to announce the 30th running of the Australia vs Italy tournament on the 12th of March.

I have attended this tournament for many years, firstly at my father’s invitation and more recently with my own rink. I am very proud to tell you my rink of Pietro Gerty, John Pinzone and Ruggerrio Niblett were actually the top team for Italy last year.

There has to be some sort of record here. The tournament was started as a bit of a fun competition between the Italian market gardeners in Werribee and the members of the Werribee Bowling Club.

Since its inception Joe and Iole Brunato have been sponsoring this event under the banner of their business Werribee Tiles Direct and each year the prizes seem to get better and better.

The Santa Lucia family also contribute the veggies that help make the day all that more special.

Many of the colourful regulars to this tournament help to make the day more entertaining. Blokes like Mick Quadara, Tony Nardella, Bruno Carraro and Rick Ashton have been the stalwarts of the competition.

Here’s the format. We start off with a big breakfast supplied from 7.30 in the morning. Around 9 o’clock we wander out for the flag raising ceremony and the national anthems, then straight into a game of bowls.

Come lunchtime, we wander in for a three course meal with plenty of Italian wine provided on the tables. Things are very rosy after lunch and the players wander out for another two games.

After the games are completed comes the prize giving and announcement as to which nation has won the day, usually the Italians, (LOL) we sit back and enjoy another meal and a sing-a-long with many an Italian tenor supported by the piano accordion.

To my mind, this has always been the most prestigious tournament to be invited to mainly because nothing is taken too serious on the day, except what is laid on for the bowlers.

More power to you Joe Brunato, may we enjoy your support for many years to come.

Strategic Plan

@leisure have developed a preliminary review document that will be presented to the Steering Committee. This is an amalgam of what they have been able to research through the various processes in place. Apparently they were overwhelmed by the volume of public submissions presented to them. In February there will be a Steering Committee workshop to sift through and isolate the most valuable contributions. Good luck people, we need a result!

Sun Outs / Wash Outs

The last two rounds in January were abandoned due to inclement weather. The first due to heat and the second due to not enough sides completing their games in the rain.

The RVBA needs to look closely at this situation as these washouts are causing havoc amongst clubs trying to stave off relegation or, indeed, achieve elevation.

Speak to your committee men and ask them to push this issue through the delegacy as a priority. Some type of focus group needs to be put together to study the options.

Richmond Union Victorian Master Singles

The Victorian Master Singles, the most prestigious singles tournament in Australia, started Sunday 5th of February. Stars past and present including Commonwealth Games gold medallist Rob Parrella, Don Peoples and Charlie Hayes are competing in a field of 180 odd bowlers, all of whom have won a club singles title or better. If you want to see some of the best singles competition and whet your appetite for the C.G.s come down to Gleadell Street Richmond over the first two weeks of February. Yours truly will be playing this Sunday and am hoping to better my finish in the last 32 last year.

Cynical Suppliers

I was reading in a UK chat site julianhainesbowls that Thomas Taylor has released a spray chalk to compete with Henselite and Drakes Pride. The post mentioned that it was a little more expensive than the Drakes’ spray. Turns out though that if you remove the label from the Taylor’s can it reveals a Drakes’ product. They really take us for mugs.

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