No slowing down for Noel after turning 90
By Gary Holyoak
Cooloola Coast Bowls Club’s oldest playing member Noel Hufschmid celebrated his 90th birthday on January 12, 2021 and shows no sign of slowing down. He plays one or two days a week and supports the club in other fixtures and championships.
Noel grew up in Brisbane and started his working life as a fitter and turner gaining his engineer’s certificate. After marrying his lovely wife Shirley, he progressed through a couple of jobs eventually finishing at the Swanbank Power Station where he gained his first class engineer’s certificate. Noel and Shirley will be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary later this year with their three children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In his youth, Noel played Rugby League and Union and later raced cycles both on the track and road. He played tennis socially and later took up bowls which he has been playing for 35 years. He bowled for two Brisbane clubs and represented them in tournaments and pennants and has won championship medals at all his clubs.
Noel and Shirley both played at Cooloola Coast Bowls Club for the past 17 years while holidaying and eventually relocated to Tin Can Bay about eight years ago. They love the relaxed lifestyle and friendly club which allows them to pursue their pastimes. They have always enjoyed fishing, boating and camping especially with their family and one of their favourite places was Moreton Island. Nowadays they enjoy travelling in their motorhome and regularly getting together with other members of their travelling club. Like any typical Aussie, Noel enjoys his sport and still plays competitive bowls as well as playing indoor bowls with Shirley.
The club presented Noel with his Patriarch badge on Australia Day and both committee and members wish him many more years of playing for our club. Congratulations Noel!
