"The friendly club in the heart of the Bay."
Having left the Bay of Plenty in the mid-nineties Wilf Southcombe would be an unknown to many. For a period from 1977 to 1995 though, he was known in the club as 'Mr Fixit'.
Wilf, who was born about 1910, worked for Walter Dickie at Parutu Road, Walton in the 1940s. Our member, Derek Wills, whose parents also farmed in Walton, recalls working with him in those days. As neighbours they worked together, especially during shearing, haymaking and other seasonal work. He later moved to his own farm at Kiwitahi, Morrinsville, close to where Audrey Wills was brought up. He was always busy, both as a farmer and as a shearer. He was a jovial person who loved nothing better than to have a good chat.
He joined our club in 1977 and soon gained a reputation as someone who could mend anything. He became 'Mr Fixit', he always had a crescent spanner and a screwdriver handy. While he did not seek office, he was one of those invaluable people to have around. Most winters he would depart for Australia where he enjoyed visiting members of his family, in fact, he travelled there on his own as recently as last year.
Some of his handiwork is still to be seen in the club. The trophy for the Men's First Year Singles was made by him as was the floor safe in the bar area. He took responsibility for our bore and water tank, making sure they functioned properly, they were essential for the periodic flooding of the greens, the way we did our watering in the good old days.
He was considered a very steady player and won the Champion Fours in 1984/5 under skipper Howard Garner. He was rewarded for his good work for the Club with a Life Membership in 1990. Later, he joined with fellow Life Members Trevor Graham and Darcy Knuckey in sponsoring an Open Fours tournament. A generous person, he was always thinking of ways to save the club money by doing things himself. He had a ready smile, and frequently a story to tell. Although he left Omanu some fifteen years ago, his reputation stays with us.
Wilf, who had been a widower for over twenty years, died in his ninety ninth year.
October, 2009
Our Life Member Val Body was born at Ohakune, one of a family of 10 children, proudly part of NZ Railways. It was in Taumarunui that Val grew up and started work. She recalls a school life where people walked everywhere and staff who encouraged participation in every possible sport. In particular she recalls basketball played in the very unfashionable black gym frocks, stockings etc. Skating also comes to mind as a favourite, as well as her membership of Girl Guides as a Patrol Leader. Following her marriage in 1942 there were years of mixed farming until the family moved to the Mount and operated a camping ground on the Council land now occupied by our Bowling Club and the car park. The buildings of the camping ground were a welcome help to the infant club.
The business left little time for the bowling club being organised, but the enthusiastic urging of Dal Knuckey saw Val involved in the early efforts of fund raising etc and she proudly claims the status of Foundation Player at the club on the momentous opening day 41 years ago. Her 40 years of bowling have suffered a few interruptions but there must have been something in the family genes when we realize that Val's sister is the one-time prominent NZ bowling representative, Judy Howland, plus all her immediate family and a sister-in-law familiar to many of us, Ray Body. A glance at both the old and the new Honours Boards in the club show that Val enjoyed better-than-average success in her bowling.
Above all, Val has enjoyed the challenges of the game and the competitive element. However, she was also active as a very early coach in the club, unofficial maybe, but with some success. She recalls the names of many Omanu people with whom she has played and with whom she enjoyed the game. Val has seen many changes in the conduct of the game and in the laws and accepts most of them. Still, there was a moment of reflection thinking of the older disciplines and the pleasure of seeing two full greens of women with bowlers totally clothed in whites She speaks also, and very comfortably, about the early years and the work of raising fund with coffee mornings, cake stalls on the corner, regular raffles and plant stalls. At that time any money went promptly to the Men's Club to help pay for the early facilities etc. The ladies helped further in a practical way by weeding the new green by hand. The members then seemed to accept the need to help with every part of the activities, but one facet has never changed. "If you want to do well in bowls, give it a go! Try the full range of events offering in the district." Val recalls the pleasure of helping many members to settle into teams she was to Skip and valuing the many friendships that have flowed from that. She is aware of the smaller membership numbers, and understands some of the current reasons, but believes that numbers can be increased, especially through members supporting each other. It is a pleasure for the Club to be able to salute a senior member such as Val and to thank her for her years of service.
March, 2009
Joe Procter is the 12 year Omanu bowler who recently drove an 8 dog sled team across the snowy wastes of Alaska - Mendenhall Glacier - in the mountains way beyond Juneau. No surprise there! But Joe is better known as one of our valued volunteers, usually seen helping with greens maintenance etc. Born at Orini, Waikato in 1935, Joe rode a horse to school, unless it was lame, in which case it was 'shank's pony.' He has a lasting memory of the ghastly malted milk they were supposed to drink daily. He was not terribly keen on school, anyway! It kept him indoors!
But before school there were two house cows to milk. His Mum made butter to sell during the war years. After school there were always farm chores - pigs to feed with the skim milk, bringing in the wood, going round the sheep, feeding dogs, gathering eggs . . . . . ! Joe recalls that everybody seemed to go to the pictures in the local hall Saturday nights although they also made their own entertainment with mates eeling in the local drain. The eels were given away or cooked up for the chooks. Calf Club days are another memory, fully supported by the whole district. Christmas holidays were regularly spent at Raglan, swimming & fishing off the bridge. Then came Hamilton Technical College! Joe enjoyed Wednesday afternoons most - sports day!
After leaving, school, Joe worked at home on the farm, steadily developing an interest in hunting. Pigs, deer, ducks - whatever! Sadly, he says, those days are over. Hunting activities took him to such places as Waikaremoana, Coromandel, Waiouru & Taumaranui. What Joe doesn't say is that he still manages a daily trot up the Mount with his mate John Snelling and once or twice a month clearing the trapping lines on Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust. (Too much for most of us, Joe.) In the '40's & '50's Joe and his father would walk cattle to the rail at Ohinewai, leaving at 4am, to catch the noon train, a journey of 18 miles. Dad used to walk in front of the mob on his white horse, a scary position on foggy Waikato mornings. Joe's own successful farming with sheep and beef included some years driving his own stock truck. Joe admits to being in 12th Intake, CMT, a gunner in tanks with the Armoured Corp, and he enjoyed every minute of it.
Barbara and Joe raised 5 children and now enjoy 15 grandchildren. He is enthusiastic about his bowls and as well he and Barbara regularly travel abroad. Thank you Joe.
October, 2008
John Snelling is another member entitled to be known as 'Gentleman John.' An 8 year bowler at Omanu he is best known for his valued help to the club on greens maintenance and any other task put to him. He is rarely seen without that quiet smile.
Born 1936 in the Waikato and growing up in Pukemiro, a little town in the heart of the Coal Mining district, he knew from an early age that he wanted to be a farmer. John's grandfather was a Mine Supervisor and his parents ran the local grocery store in Pukemiro. So, John and his sister & brother knew everyone in the district. He was an active rider in local Pony Clubs and there was a period of racing a motorbike on local dirt tracks. Being in Pukemiro there was a "bit of Rugby League."
Hamilton High and Hamilton Technical were followed by active earth moving work with large machinery. At only 18 years of age, John purchased a 'rough block' of 250 acres at Te Akau, Waikato, with an option of the adjacent 250 acres. John continued to work at a variety of jobs, including the coal mines. He improved his block as and when he could afford to. It is quite rightly referred to as 'breaking in'. By his very early 20's John had moved onto his land and had begun what proved to be 50 years on the same property, including the adjacent block. He farmed in sheep and beef. It was a long road but like all farmers John speaks fondly of "days at the saleyards in Frankton or Waingaro".
In retirement John potters with a small property just out of town, with his son - a mere nothing! Then there are those regular early morning runs (yes - I said 'runs') to the top of the Mount with his mate, Gentleman Joe Procter. John and his wife enjoy their near-beachfront home with glorious views. There were 2 sons & a daughter plus 2 very special grand-daughters. He continues as a regular supporter at Omanu where he enjoys his bowls. Thank you too John.
October, 2008
You should not be surprised to hear that Mary Hingston was born a 'West Coaster', at Westport in 1940. She was a daughter of a Pig and Dairy farming family at Seddonville. Sadly, her mother died when Mary was just 11 and she moved to live with her elder sister in Richmond, Nelson, growing up with 2 small boys who were like her brothers. Mary enjoyed her secondary education at Nelson College for Girls until age 16 when she commenced work with Richmond Drapers, well known Men's & Women's Clothiers and Haberdashers, (they don't make shops like that anymore!) She trained as a Corsettier, including a course in Auckland which completed her examinations. Mary proudly topped New Zealand for Practical & Theory. She enjoyed this work and, of course, "knew everyone in Richmond in those days." Trevor appeared on the scene as a dashing Rugby player and they married in 1962, producing 3 boys, Colin, Gavin & John.
1968 saw a shift from Richmond to Rotorua and away from Trevor's bush work - when they purchased a Pie Factory. Soon they also made sausage rolls, packed in rolls of 5, wrapped in gladwrap & frozen, marketed as 'Richmond Pastries'. They were the first company to do this, but soon it was back to the forest for Trevor and the factory was sold.
Some of us know that Trevor chopped competitively - every weekend - somewhere - and with 3 sons it was not long before the Hingston boys, aged 10-12-14 were standing on blocks & chopping too. When the Owhata Primary School Committee looked for a good attraction for the school gala day, our Mary was asked to stand on a block and chop 'just like the men'. Trevor provided the training so long as she "used a proper racing axe," (really sharp). After six weeks Mary was ready enough to chop a block and to set a Women's World record for chopping a 9 inch block, 17 seconds. It drew the attention of TV and 'our Mary' made the 6.00 pm news which rather shocked the rest of her family in the South Island. To make her point Mary did the same the following year but in 14 seconds. Later, a few other women took on these 'axeman' events; Mary has numerous prizes to show her successes. She casually mentions that, in 1974, she led an exhibition team chopping before the Queen and the Duke in Rotorua - and the Duke chatted with her! HRH said . . . .(no, you will have to ask Mary yourself, if you want to know this.) Of course Mary's activities included social tennis and she taught Cubs & Sunday School for some 16 years.
Mary quietly admits that she has yet to win a BOP Bowling title. The term "bridesmaid" crops up frequently, such as BoP Open Singles 1999, to Mattie Hawke by one point. She was third in the Champ of Champ Singles, runner-up in the Champ of Champ Fours in 2004-05 and third in 2003. The Rotorua March Fours has been a happy hunting ground - winning in 2000 with Marilyn McLeod, Shirley Churchouse & Jan Thompson. Mary was runner-up twice in this same event and third on several occasions. Other runner-up results came in the Tauranga Combined Club Open Fours in 2000 & 2006. She was also runner-up with Graham Caie, Marion Ellis & Trevor to our Jim Pratt in the Tauranga City Mixed in 2006 and winner of the plate event in 2007.
An outstanding event, while still a Junior, was to win the Ladies Fours at Sunshine Coast Carnival in 1998 with players from Victoria, Dunedin and Otago, none of whom knew each other previously. Mary was an Academy Rep player for BoP in 1999-2000 and a Senior Rep player in 2001-02. At the club level Mary has won all four Championships, both at Te Puke and at Omanu. She has won an A Division Dorchester Bay-wide Interclub and the B section of the same event, with two victories in the Matua two day tournament.
Before coming to Omanu three years ago, she served as President of the Te Puke Club. Little did she know what was in store when she accepted nomination and was elected Women's Vice President in 2007. In December of that year, the incumbent President, for reasons that are a mystery to most of us, ceased to perform that role, and Mary reluctantly took on the position of Chairperson. She and the remaining Executive then had to cope with the ill-health and subsequent departure of our green keeper combined with the threat of law-suits. No wonder, as she mentions, 2007-08 is the first year she has failed to win a Championship event. Perhaps we should watch out next season!
Mary's best memories of bowls includes the changes to the dress laws - no stockings, no petticoats etc, the introduction of colours and the introduction of good coaching for juniors. Likewise she mentions the happy contribution of Trevor to her bowling.
May, 2008
1935 was "another good year." Cliff Hughes was born in Waverley and schooled at Durie Hill Primary and at Wanganui Technical. 1950 found the family in Auckland and - (he swears this is true) - Cliff started an apprenticeship as a Jockey. We don't need to dwell on why that didn't run the full course! 1952 saw the 'Tom Uden Bush job' during the wonderful heydays of Putaruru, and the start of a career in Forestry. He married Winnie in 1957 and a move to Auckland for 10 years, logging at Riverhead, was followed by the setting up of his own business.
About now we mention the 1964 Kumeu Show and the 11 inch Standing Block World Record! Other such honours are quietly mentioned, such as Championships in USA - the start of TV commentaries - and the exciting Easter Show Axemen Carnivals in Auckland. This event included a purpose-built event arena which Cliff designed and erected and which set the course for many successes, including TV coverage. Naturally Cliff mentions many famous NZ names in the sport - Bolstad, Wynyard, Hingston . . . . . Hingston? Yep, the same member who cuts Mary's firewood. Who else in the Club is hiding their light under a bushel?
Cliff's own comments are not so much about the many Championships though. He is most proud to have represented NZ through the seventies, eighties, nineties and into 2000 in chopping and sawing, also in National Administration. That is quite an achievement. Likewise Cliff is proud of his contribution to College sawing since 2000. Certainly he is proud of his skills in designing (and sharpening by hand) some innovative saws for competition work. There is always room for changes and improvement and they come from the extensive experience of such people as Cliff. There was a brief reference to golf, but no great claims. Well, that can be understood.
Cliff made some wise constructive comments about the administration of Sports Bodies generally, which sound familiar. He spoke of the need for all to work towards the same goal, contributing their own expertise to the total effort and with sound business control. The "indians" too are important - not just "the Chief." He is proud of his award in the last New Year's Honours List as Member of the NZ Order of Merit because it acknowledges the world standing of his life-long sport. He is quick to speak of the 50 plus years of support from his wife and our valued member Winnie in every imaginable way. Well done Cliff, the members are proud of your well-earned award.
But stand by everyone, Cliff enjoys his bowls and is about ready to "start playing seriously."
January, 2008
In 1967, our club was extremely fortunate to have them around at it's foundation. With a penchant for 'starting things', Dal, with the able assistance of Darcy, also had the perseverance and energy to see things to their conclusion. So, Omanu Bowling Club had it's beginning.
With their service to Youth and Sport spanning almost eighty years, the careers of foundation members Dallas & Darcy Knuckey have to command the respect of all members, not just of our small club, but indeed of the whole community. They spent much of their young adult life in the rural Taranaki community of Rawhitaroa, some 5 miles east of Eltham. They were married in 1933, and for some 25 years, dairy farming was their life as they brought up their two children, Meridee and Bruce. It could not have been easy in this period which covered both the stringencies of the depression and the shortages of the war years. There were few labour saving devices then and if the tank water ran out, further supplies had to be pumped from the dam.
Dal's service started in the twenties with the Girl Guides Association, progressing from the bottom of the ladder as a rookie in Shannon to be the Central Taranaki District Commissioner in the fifties. Her other great love was basketball where she was involved as player, referee, coach, selector and President in Taranaki, culminating in Netball New Zealand Life Membership. During the years 1940-45 Dal devoted herself to the war effort, becoming the Eltham Company Commander of the Women's War Service Auxiliary. In her time in Taranaki, she was responsible for the formation of two basketball clubs and a sub-association! In spite of describing her involvement in basketball/netball as "all-encompassing", she still found time for Plunket, Kindergarten, School Committees, Alpine Club, CWI, WDFF, Church etc etc, much of this work incorporating the roles of President, Treasurer, Secretary, whatever.
In 1957 (fifty years ago!), ill-health forced Darcy to give up farm work, so the family moved to Mt Maunganui for the quiet life. It wasn't to be as Dal, if anything, intensified her roles in many of these organizations and took on many other duties and responsibilities. She was a Mount Borough Councillor for three years, involved in the Red Cross, Zonta, Mt Maunganui Information Bureau and numerous other local social and political associations. And in sport (tennis and golf aside) she resumed her roles in netball, both in the local administration and as an umpire. With regard to the latter, as well as fulfilling a role as a practical umpire at national championships, she was an examiner and ultimately National President. Her crowning glory in netball was to be selected as Manager of the New Zealand team to play in the World Championships in Jamaica. This involved a three month trip with games played all over the world. The team creditably lost only one game, sadly to the 'auld enemy', Australia, in the final. While a resident of Mt Maunganui Dal was honoured to be nominated for BoP Woman of the Year twice and to receive the NZ Suffrage Centennial Medal and the Queen's Service Medal.
You may ask, where was Darcy during all this? Well, I am sure he was adding his weight behind Dal's efforts, but he also had his own achievements. As a resident of Rawhitaroa for his first 50 years, he spent 13 of them first as secretary, then Chairman of the School Committee. He was a member of the Hall, Memorial Pool and Patriotic Committees and active in the Eltham Tennis, Golf and Bowling Clubs, on the committees and as President. After the move to Mount Maunganui, he played his part with Dal and the other founders in the formation of our club (see about us) some forty years ago, and played a role in the running of the Club for many years afterwards. Darcy was Secretary & Treasurer concurrently for several years while Dal served as President of the Women's Club multiple times, together with a stint as Treasurer. Both were active and successful bowlers with their share of successes and Championship victories. Members will know that we play annually for the handsome and valued "Dal & Darcy Knuckey Trophy" to commemorate Founders Day
If the scope of these works appears daunting, be assured that this brief summary hardly scrapes the surface of their achievements. We will merely allow the fifteen Life Memberships between them attest to their public spirit. One further milestone though will happen very soon - Darcy will achieve his Century in March 2008 and we wish him all the best for the occasion.
September 2007
Dal passed away on 22 March, 2008 aged 97, the day after Darcy's one hundredth birthday. Darcy outlived her by two years, just prior to Anzac Day 2010 in his one hundred and third year.
Stuart Pemberton was born in Tirau in 1925 and as a child used to watch his father and grandfather playing bowls on the private green of Mr Frank Rose. Before play could commence, the green had to be mown, then rolled with a water-filled, man-high roller, all of which encroached heavily into the afternoon playing time! At the age of 30 he joined the (recently closed) Tirau Bowling Club, where his father was Green Keeper, spending some time on the Executive. There was a membership of about 80 with the youngest aged about 60. The greatest hurdle he had to face was addressing people by their Christian names, because, with a penchant for bowls he often wondered what the others found so difficult. Ah, the arrogance of youth. He still plays with his first and only set of bowls, size 3 standards bought for £8.00 in 1954, something of a record.
Stuart was educated at Tirau, Southwell School in Hamilton and New Plymouth Boys' High School. After spending (and enjoying) nearly two years in the Navy (including a round-the-world trip), he commenced the life of a dairy farmer. His early interests included tennis, golf, rugby, indoor bowls, Scouting administration, church administration, young farmers administration, badminton and dancing. The farm was sold in 1969 and they moved first to Tauranga, then in 1984 to Papamoa and lastly in 1995 to the Mount. From 1969 till retirement in 1984 he was proprietor of a motel and of a Garden Centre, then he worked for the Agriculture Department as a Brucellosis Tester and at Allied Farmers in their Garden Centre. After retirement he spent a year overseas.
With such a long history as a bowler, Stuart has a host of memories, In his early days, he recalls his uncle, who was Club President, sending him home for wearing white shorts and knee length socks instead of longs! About 1958, his father, the club green keeper, imported cotula from Southland. At the time it was hailed as the greatest ever advance in bowling green surfaces. He notes that, in his early days, it was common for players to depart to the bar frequently during the course of a game (he says though it was only the skips!).
He joined Omanu in 1985 and reckons he will stay until either he or the club "move into recess". He lists among some of his achievements winning the Brinsdon Memorial Cup at the Mount with Jim Collier, Colin Seath and Laurie Cane, the Handicap Pairs with Wally Stephens together with the Club and Veteran Singles. Perhaps more significant are the two-year spells he had as Green Superintendent, House Manager, Chairman of Selection and Grading and Chairman of Match Committee together with 12 years on the Executive. Add to this his work as Bar Assistant and Manager and his regular presence at working bees and you have a picture of an all-round and enthusiastic club member. And, it has to be said, without his contributions the Bulletin Board wouldn't be worth reading! But the thing we notice most of all about Stuart is the tolerance, sense of humour and good nature he brings to the bowling green.
May, 2007
Bev White was born in Wanganui where she spent the next almost 50 years of her life. An early memory was of dressing up with her brother and sister to entertain the troops who were garrisoned at the Wanganui Racecourse. She played the piano, her brother the piano accordion while her younger sister danced. She was educated at Wanganui Girls College, taking the Commercial Course and qualifying as a Pitman shorthand typist. She left school at 15 to work for an Accountancy firm, staying with them for the next eight years.
The family's sport of choice was originally hockey but Bev was dissuaded from that by her mother, ("Not good for the legs"). Her sports became outdoor basketball (now netball) and marching which she kept up for some years before her marriage and the arrival of children. After leaving participation in the sport, she became a selector for the Wanganui netball team. She had three daughters and as they grew up she took to other sports including indoor bowls and golf. Bev was left a widow in her early forties, an experience which makes her sympathetic to others who suffer misfortune. She decided to return to the work force and was offered a job in the Wanganui firm of Willie Weavers Wool Shops working on the personnel side.
She married Ken in 1981, the event being followed immediately by a transfer to Christchurch. Her firm offered her the job of Personnel Manager for the South Island. Based in Christchurch, every three months she spent a week visiting all the shops which she thoroughly enjoyed. Shortly afterwards she joined the Burnside Bowling Club. She was able to reduce her hours and take off Tuesday and Thursday afternoons to play and to win the First Year Singles. In her second year she was persuaded, against husbandly advice, to accept the job of Ladies Match Convenor which she retained for the rest of her stay at the club. She progressed through the bowling ranks rapidly, being promoted to Skip in her fifth year, a great achievement in such a strong club.
A move North meant a change of clubs to the Whangarei Women's, later to merge with the Kensington Club. Her firm offered her the job of Personnel Manager for Auckland but she decided to retire, which gave her much more time for bowls. Still a Junior, Bev was selected to skip the Fours in the Northland Junior Seven's team. The Fours won six from seven to lead the team to victory in the Regional Final. She gained her first National Certificate, again as skip of the fours, when her successful club sevens team went on to win the Zone 1 Final. Included in the team were New Zealand representatives Ann Muir and Judy Carson. Her organisational skills were again recognised when she became Convenor of the match committee once more, a position she held for eight years. It was during these years that she first qualified as an Umpire which she has now been for over 15 years.
There have been regular visits to the Bay of Plenty since her first City Mixed played in 1989 and eventually the move had to be made. In nine seasons at Omanu, Bev has enjoyed many successes in the championships. The most memorable season was perhaps 2002/3 when with Josephine Connolly she was third equal in the National Pairs, runner-up in the Centre Champ of Champ and with Alice Shaw winner of the Centre Champ of Champ Triples. Equally satisfying have been the national, regional and local events at which Bev has been called upon to umpire. As well, as Women's Club Captain for six years she had the confidence of members and was a strong advocate for them in the committee room.
Bev has enjoyed her twenty five years in that friendliest of communities, that of the bowling club. With a strong sense of responsibility bred in by stern parents she is aware that you only get out what you put in. Having quit the role of Club Captain, "you can be in a job too long!", she is now an assistant to the Convenor of the Women's Selection and Grading Committee. She is Senior Vice President of the Bay of Plenty Umpires Association and one of the more called upon umpires when a job needs to be done.
January, 2007
In January, 2009 Bev, with Josephine Connolly, was part of a composite team to win the Women's National Fours held in Auckland. One year later, the two were runners-up in the National Pairs. The stories can be found in the 2008 Archives and 2009 Archives
Charles & Evelyn Pettit are two of those people who were born to serve. When Charles is not occupied working for the bowling club, he is contributing to Rotary, or the Masons or assisting Evelyn with her work with Inner Wheel, Country Women' Institute, Rotariannes. Within a very short period of joining the Club, he took on the task of Treasurer which he held for six years. In that period, he put the Club's finances on a very sound footing, establishing reserves in excess of $60,000. He followed up that stint with two years as Club President where he continued the policies of financial probity that have put the club in such a sound position.
Charles came from a railways family, consequently his education was spread all over the North Island. He attended Primary in Te Kuiti and Taneatua, his Secondary education took place at Whakatane District High School, Stratford Technical High School and Mount Albert Grammar School. Inevitably he joined the New Zealand railways as a clerical cadet and served at various stations in the Auckland Province and it was while he was at Katikati that he met Evelyn. Rumour has it that every time he sold a ticket, he went to bank the money at the BNZ where that pretty little teller was!
His abilities were noticed, and before long he was transferred to the General Manager's office in Wellington. During this period he was seconded to Internal Affairs as a private secretary to Peter Gordon, Minister of Railways. He also spent time as secretary to Sir Arthur Tyndall, who was appointed by Government to a Board of Inquiry into Railways. He took early retirement from the position of Chief Industrial Officer in 1986 and started selling real estate in Tawa. He qualified as an Associate of the Real Estate Institute of NZ and managed the company he worked for. Then in 1992 he bought the Company and after four years of successful ownership, retired to Mount Maunganui.
He became a bowler in 1987, joining the Tawa Bowling Club (obviously more in the hope of selling some real estate!). Because of his work commitments he was not a regular bowler until coming to Mount Maunganui and joining the Omanu Bowling Club in 1996. As stated, he became rapidly involved in running the club, but still found time to bowl. He has to his name Club Champs in Pairs, Singles and Triples plus numerous runners-up. During the eight years of continuous service to our club, he maintained his other interests concurrently, being President of the Mount Maunganui Rotary Club while Treasurer. Since leaving the executive eighteen months ago he has had more time to put into his other interests. He is currently President of the Mount Maunganui Men's Probus Club and Master of the Mount Maunganui Masonic Lodge. He continues his interest in Rotary as Past President.
Enjoy many more years of successful bowling, Charles. We have a lot to thank you for.
September, 2006
Margaret Dalley could be entitled to sing the song, "I've been everywhere, man". She was born in Wellington but spent her early childhood and schooling in Motueka and Blenheim. There she developed a great love of horses. In order to get rides for herself, she would put in many hours at the stables, grooming, mucking-out, anything to be around the horses. She then went to work in Christchurch, staying at the Papanui YWCA. She became involved in the playing and organisation of hockey and later netball, outdoor basketball as it was known. She went on to involvement with the New Brighton Netball Club where she was President for a number of years.
Margaret considers one of life's highlights to have been the time she spent touring Australia. She and Ray, he doing the steering with Margaret on the pillion of their 750cc motorbike, spent three months doing the grand tour of that continent in the Autumn of 1981.
After moving to the Bay, she played Indoor Bowls at the Mount RSA before joining Omanu in November, 1981. She considers that she had some great mentors in those early days. Elva Southcombe, whose Memorial Tray Veteran's Singles is still played for, was her first coach and took Margaret under her wing. Heather Minchin, we play for her trophy too, taught her how to make "precision sandwiches" (are they tasty?). She must have learnt well from all these tutors, converting from the girl who had been everywhere to the one who had done everything.
Firstly with the Women's Club and latterly with the Amalgamated Club she has filled many roles. She has been Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President and President, and just last year looked after the Kitchen because no one else had put their hand up. She is the donor of the 'Dalley Buttons' and has been one of the Club's principal coaches for many years, having gained her coaching certificate in 1984.
Currently Margaret is involved with the running of Tuesday Mahjongg which includes teaching the game to newcomers. She has enjoyed particularly her years on the Executive, specially when she served as Vice-President and President. Her involvement with the amalgamation process was rewarding. Her earliest jobs for the Club were on the Match Committee and on the Grading Committee. She has come full circle being the current (2006-07) Women's Selection and Grading Convenor.
She won't thank me for saying this, but my advice to the Executive is, "if you want something done, ask Margaret".
July, 2006
Eric Aroa was born in Hawera, South Taranaki, home of the Ranfurly Shield at the time! He schooled at Kereone, Waikato, Morrinsville, Paengaroa & Mt Albert Grammar (1945/46). Eric farmed for 30 years at Paengaroa in partnership with his Dad and alongside his wife Jean, also an Omanu member for many years. He was a member of the Young Farmers Club there for 14 years, debating, studying, stock judging and dancing.
His youthful interests included Athletics in Te Puke, in particular the 880 yards and the mile, plus 17 years of table tennis in the old Paengaroa Hall. Then, of course, there was gardening (under Jean's supervision).
Eric's Church activities cover 60 years, including many as an Elder. He says there are "swags of grandchildren". His surname is thought to be English and his forebears arrived in New Zealand from the UK about 1854. Eric and Jean came to the Mount in 1977. They commenced bowling at Omanu in 1978 which would make them two of our longer-serving members. He took over from Jean as the Club volunteer gardener "a long time ago" and retired from that in 2005 when the club presented both of them with a garden bird-bath in recognition of their work.
Eric's name appears on the silver-ware in 96/97 for the Geo Thornton Triples and in 2000/01 for the Bill McDonald Memorial Fours.
May, 2006
Basil Kapua was born in Rotorua,and went to school at St Michaels College before starting work in the sheet metal industry. He started bowls at Omanu 1990, twice in the winning team for the Bill McDonald Memorial.
That same year, 1990 was also the year in which Basil started trimming the edges of lawns at Omanu, initially with a hand operated edger, and is there a tidier looking club in BoP? For the past 16 seasons he has given regular assistance at the club, including hand-cutting of hedges, lawns, greens renovations etc etc. He is a valued member whose opinion is often sought on these matters.
Basil has a lifelong interest in sport. He was keen on Athletics and achieved around 10 seconds for 100 yards at Putaruru in his prime. He represented BoP in Rugby and was a prominent wing three-quarter in the '50's. He can not remember how many marathons he has run, including Rotorua, but he recalls twice at the famous Honolulu marathon.
May, 2006
A very modest lady is Shirley Frost. She has always been keen on sport, and as a pupil of Otahuhu College she was captain of both the cricket and basketball teams. Since leaving school she has had, to quote, "a lifetime of competitive sport", representing the Auckland District in earlier years. She captained Auckland at hockey against Australia and was also a New Zealand trialist at that sport. As a member of the Rotorua Golf Club, she was responsible for organising an attempted Guinness Record round of "Speed Golf". With a team of 70 women she succeeded in breaking the record in a time of 10 minutes 32.5 seconds. Some round of golf! During her golfing career, she managed a unique tally of 4 holes-in-one - a feat to make the professional golfer envious. She makes no mention of any bowling achievements but a quick check of the Honours Board shows her as winning the First Year Singles. She also has a Club Champ Pairs title with the late Freda Curry.
Shirley and Lance retired in 1978, moving first to Rotorua, then to Mt Maunganui. For the past 15 years, since the 1991 season, they have both been active and hard-working members of the Omanu Club. During the Winter months they work as a team, competently running the Indoor Bowls every Monday afternoon catering for 50 to 60 members. Not only does this give those members an interesting off-season activity and involvement with the club, it is a good source of revenue. They were for three years responsible for managing the club's raffles and Shirley today keeps the Library tidy and up-to-date. It should be mentioned too that Lance has put his plumbing skills to the club's use, being responsible for erecting some of our summer shades.
Shirley's great pleasure though is in the maintenance of the garden at the entrance to the club. She can be found there on many days of the week, attending to the colourful flowers and shrubs. Last year Shirley was granted, without it being requested, her own reserved car park adjacent to her garden.
March, 2006
We feature today Jim Pratt. Jim was a teacher whose early days were spent in the far North. Like many of us, he started as an indoor bowler who was persuaded to our sport, though is still well-known as a prominent indoor bowler. His first year at Ruawai club was rewarded with the First-Year Singles title, plus the Leads and Twos Singles and Pairs trophies.
A transfer to Matapihi in 1972 saw him join Omanu, where he has been ever since. Those 34 seasons have seen Jim secure an unprecedented 46 club championships comprising 13 Singles, 12 Pairs, 12 Triples and 9 Fours trophies. Throw in a number of handicap and non-championship events and you will get the picture. He is quick to draw attention to the support he has had in recent years from his association with Tom McGuinn and Pierre Syben. Jim was our first Centre Champion in 1981 with the Champ of Champ Triples title, the first of his three Centre Titles. He is proud too of his Tauranga City Mixed victory in 1999 and the last Pascoe Cup in 2002. He is fully appreciative of the support of all the players who aided him in these victories.
Jim is an object-lesson in service to his club. He has had numerous stints on the Executive, on the Match Committee, and has served as President on two occasions. The first was in 1974 of the Omanu Men's Club and subsequently in 1997, overseeing the amalgamation and being the first President of the amalgamated club in 1998. When twilight bowls was trialled in 1982, Jim was an enthusiast and has in fact been running it for the last 20 years. For a number of years he has been involved in the Selection and Grading committee and there is no doubt his enthusiasm is a direct reason for any success the Club has enjoyed in recent years.
Aside from his bowling successes, Jim would be the most-liked member of the Club. Always pleasant in his manner, helpful to the new bowler, modest in victory and without a nasty bone in his body. Jim was elected Life Member in 2002.
January, 2006
Josephine Connolly originally from Putururu, trained as a nurse at Waikato Hospital and in her earlier years was a keen golfer and tennis player. She took up bowls in 1997, being First Year Singles Champion, and has been an enthusiastic member of Omanu Club since then.
In her short career as a bowler she has acquired two Junior Singles Club titles and was runner-up to Missy Fitzgerald of Rotorua in the 2001 Champ of Champs. 2002 and 2003 brought Club Triples Championships with the bonus of Bay of Plenty Champ of Champ winner with Bev White and Alice Shaw. The same year (2003), a third equal in the NZ National Pairs leading for Bev White brought her the greatest satisfaction. Coming close must be her latest success as runner-up in this 2005 season BoP Centre Singles.
Along the way Josephine has had many happy bowling days and no little success in local Open Tournaments, but especially in Leads and Twos Tournaments played with her "old firm' of local friends. She has enjoyed her time on the Match Committee believing that it has added to her bowling experience and plans to work towards a coaching certificate.
Playing for the Bay of Plenty Junior and Academy Representative teams has been perhaps the most exciting part of Josephine's bowling experiences. She believes that club coaching together with Rep coaching and experience have been the biggest contributors to her successes. She highly values the support given by enthusiastic team members and the joy and laughter of playing in a strong, growing and friendly club such as ours. Like all of us, she enjoys trying to explain all this to her widely-spread grandchildren
November, 2005
In January, 2009 Josephine, with Bev White, was part of a composite team to win the Women's National Fours held in Auckland. One year later, the two were runners-up in the National Pairs. The stories can be found in the 2008 Archives and 2009 Archives
Recently we honoured Kal Smith who this season (2005/6) celebrated 50 years as a bowler. He has to his name 33 club championships at eight different Clubs, numerous RSA, and a few KEV National titles. Then there were endless Open titles around his 15 different Centres plus a number of "very nearly" results. These include Runner-up in the National Pairs of 1989.
It should also be mentioned that he is a Registered Umpire, a Certificated Coach and has a long string of committee appointments to his name. Over those past 50 years I know he has also had many happy and enjoyable games, with lots of laughter and a couple of beers along the way.
That's our member Kal Smith, the man with the distinctive smooth delivery and the quiet smile. Your contribution to the sport is one that you should be extremely proud of, Kal. We, your fellow Omanu members are happy to have had you on our greens since 1993 and we wish you well in the future.
September, 2005
Kal passed away on 26 March, 2008 aged 86