Bundaberg Districts’ Dahl recognised

Bargara Bowls Club life member Gordon Dahl was recognised for his commitment and dedication to the sport of bowls with an Order of Australia medal (OAM) on the Queen’s Birthday public holiday on June, 8.

A stalwart of the Queensland community, Gordon has a lawn bowls history that spans several decades and he has dedicated his time at both club and district level.

Gordon was among 933 Australians recognised for their efforts to the betterment of the country from the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

“It was a wonderful thing to happen to me, I felt incredibly honoured as it was something I’d never really expected I’d receive,” Gordon said.

“I’m incredibly humbled by this and I’m still not sure who actually put me forward for this honour, I honestly thought it was a hoax initially!”

Gordon’s OAM is well-deserved as he has given a lot back to the Bundaberg District’s bowls community as well as his own club, which made him a life member in

2007. He also had an extensive coaching career which spanned from the early 1980s until 2009.

He was the founding chairman of the Bundaberg District Lawn Bowls Coaching Panel, serving from 1987 until 2009 and also served as an accredited coach with the Bundaberg Bowls Association for 12 years.

Gordon also worked as an accredited umpire for five years and played a vital part in instituting a junior bowls program for the district’s schools.

Bowls Queensland CEO Brett Wilkie said he was pleased to hear Gordon had been recognised for his commitment to the district and the sport in general.

“It is great news to learn that Gordon has been recognised for his hard work and devotion to our sport, he is another tremendous example of the many volunteers across the state who tirelessly strive to improve the sport and give something back to their local community,” he said.