BOWLS TARADALE CLUB
PRESIDENT’S REPORT 2006-2007 

With pleasure I present the last report of my term as your President. The past three years have seen a steady growth in members; an extensive building project; a comprehensive maintenance programme; a spirit of goodwill and pride in our facility with recommendation from other bowling communities. This has come about through effort from you all, but particularly from those asked to undertake specific tasks. To hear laughter and good natured ribbing (not to mention actual bowls played) is reward enough I am sure.

 To those who daily "climb a hill" to function and continue to play a major role on the greens, we wish you well and admire your tenacity - the greens are well used.

As is the norm, club roll-ups are well patronised. A Green continues to be the green of choice for the majority, but B Green with the odd added challenge is still running very well. If you consider the foibles of other HB greens, both grass and synthetic, there is little to complain about. No date is as yet set for replacement.

Club Championships were run with little inconvenience and the standard of bowls in all disciplines and at each level was very good - some very close fought games. Bruce Mitchell as Match Committee Convenor ran a "tight ship" and appeared to control the weather as well! Thank you Bruce - a man of many parts.

1st Year and Junior bowlers from both ours and other clubs have caused us to sit up and take note of the standard of play. This surely has to do not only with practice, but the time Senior players and Coaches are putting in to this resource. We have hosted several Centre events this year and are complimented on amenities - special thanks to Marie Sherning and Doreen Elton for catering and giving of their time.

Teams and individuals have once more equipped themselves well and "done us proud" in both COC, HB, National and other specific events. Umpires continue to give freely of their time and gradually players are coming to grips with rule changes. Several new markers have been "whetted" this season - the criteria being concentration and knowing the rules (thank you for giving your time) - another aspect of the game and a learning opportunity.

Many thanks to John Hanlen for time put into coaching sessions up until indifferent health necessitated a change of lifestyle. It is grand to see him back on the greens. Doug White stepped in to fill this gap so that sessions continued. We may take coaching as a "given" and for granted but time is given voluntarily to help you.

CENTRE, HB, NATIONAL AND OTHER EVENTS:
Women's COC Triples Winners; Sue Brock, Wilma Ennor, Linda Boyd
Women's COC Singles R/Up; Wilma Ennor
Men's COC Fours Winners; Bruce Mitchell, Phil Young, Ray Falvey, Brian Annear
Men's COC Senior Pairs Winners; Bryan Gilbertson, John Ward
Men's COC Junior Pairs R/Up; Barry Hanlen, John McLaughlin
Men's COC Colts Singles R/Up; Russell Turner
Men's COC Senior Singles R/Up; Murray Glassey
Men's COC Junior singles Winner; John McLaughlin
HB Open 2 Bowl Triples winners; Paul Selby, Jon O'Shea, Murray Glassey
HB Open Men's pairs: John Hanlen, Jon O'Shea
HB Men's Singles R/Up; Jon O'Shea
HB Women's junior Singles R/Up; Lois Hook
HB 1st Year Singles R/Up; Mandy Boyd
National Schools Competition R/Up; Mandy Boyd
NZ Under 21 Pairs R/Up; Mandy Boyd
NZCT 5th placing; Paul Selby, Jon O'Shea, Murray Glassey
Men's Interclub 7's and 5's R/Up Triples
Junior 5's R/Up; (Triples) Noeline Gardiner, Bill Ripley, Dave Roberts - (Pairs) Mandy Boyd, John McLaughlin
Women's Pennants Winners Section 2; Maureen Pedersen, Wilma Ennor, Karen Grainger
East Coast Chartered Clubs Winners; Phil Young, Bryan Gilbertson, Gerald Taylor, John Ward
East Coast Chartered Clubs R/Up; Jack Halka, David Thorne, Graeme Pedersen, John Speakman
Gardner Shield Winners; Bryan Gilbertson, Neville Hoare, Peter Townrow, Dave Kaye, Clark Nicol,
                                        Ray Falvey, John Speakman, John Calnan, John McLaughlin
Men's Interclub 7's and 5's R/Up; Jim Fitzsimons, Murray Glassey, Jon O'Shea, Paul Selby, Phil Young, John McLaughlin, Frank Grantham

The Earthquake Tournament was again very successful and patrons appreciated the broader prize format. Graham Barrie added to his already generous sponsorship by taking $500 off Commision payable on property sale if dealing with his firm.

President's Charity day, sponsored by Falcon Electrical and Venables Willis again raised $1000 - very pleasing. We combined with Havelock North's annual Ozanam House Charity Tournament - the monies raised going towards the purchase of another vehicle for transporting patients from their accommodation to treatment facility.

Fay Johnson has worked miracles with raffles this year - a major part of our income - thank you. Members contributed to prizes generously when asked. Lilian Baird took on the mantle of entries and has done a grand job - a task fraught with variables and sometimes very little in the way of kudos. Thank you Lilian for sticking at it.

Grace Williams and Dave Kaye took on the unenviable role of selector with Bruce Mitchell and Marie Sherning available to act as a "sounding board" if necessary. If you have a winning team, all is well with the selection - if not it isn't right - all rather precious at times. Well done Grace and David! A game of bowls is a "game of bowls on the day".

Peter Thomson organised the Gardner shield this season and we are delighted that we won the zone competition. At the time of writing I have been unable to unearth any history about this competition.

The Club Captain has continued to pursue his role diligently and has also spent a good deal of time on maintenance of the greens helping groundsman Alan Boardman. Craig has always made sure there was support for our representative players and jollied them along. A job well done Craig - many thanks.

Bowlers both local and national continue to enjoy the informative website maintained by John McLaughlin - a proactive enterprise and another example of time given voluntarily for the good of the club and sport.

School Bowls, under the leadership and organisation of Wilma continue to thrive. There are 68 participants in this current group. We are fortunate to have someone with Wilma's commitment to youth and teaching skills interested in this field which is promoted nationally by Bowls NZ and their source of revenue SPARC. Of course this activity would not be possible without those club members who have given many hours to oversee and coach these young people. This activity is also a source of revenue for the club.

A mere "thank you" seems inadequate when recognizing our Works Convenor and his band of helpers. Kevin Hook et al have worked tirelessly to maintain the complex and prepare greens for play. On September 9th the new Administration Block was officially opened by Colin McRae, President of Taradale Club Inc. WHAT A JOY! - the result of consultation and combined effort by the Bowls Adjunct and Mother Club. The adjunct's monetary contribution was over $13,000. Up until two or three years ago we could not have envisaged having that amount of money available - the "canvas" depicts good stewardship, commitment, club spirit, willingness and an end goal.  A smaller shed has also been purchased to house coaching bowls and umbrellas. A cleaner's cupboard in the locker room relieves lockers for bowlers. There is still some work to be done in relation to the Administration area eg. an awning or sails for shelter. I would like to see some landscaping around perimeter fences, but all in good time.

The Taradale Club Emirates Sponsored Tournament held over the weekend of 5th and 6th May was again a huge success. Many thanks to all Bowls Adjunct volunteers - you all played a major role in the smooth running of this event and positive feedback augers well for future tournaments. The Bowls Adjunct was pleased to sponsor the prizes for the runners-up in Section 1.

There have been 11 committee meetings with attendance as follows; Joyce Budge 10, Wilma Ennor 11, Irene Millar 11, Bill Ripley 10, Bruce Mitchell 10, John Calnan 10,  Fay Johnson 11, Paula Evans 9. I thank all members for their contribution and support.

Bill Ripley is not standing for the coming season. He has carried out his role as Treasurer in a professional manner and his stewardship complimentary. Relax and enjoy your bowls with our thanks.

Paula Evans also relinquishes her seat this coming year. She has been a discerning voice on committee and although she may feel she had no major role to play I can assure her that her input has been worthwhile and appreciated.

John Calnan has represented Works on committee for the past two years. He has "hammered and nailed", "measured and sawn", "queried and quoted" with much foresight. You have served your club well, John. Thank you for your service - enjoy your bowls next season.

Irene Millar will continue as Secretary, the pivotal role in any committee - not always easy, but necessary - well done, Irene.

Finally, I would thank you all for the courtesy and support you have always given me. I hope I listened, heard, saw and actioned when and if applicable. Best wishes to you all and the incoming committee for the 2006-2007 season.

Joyce Budge

17/5/07