April CEO Report
By Brett Wilkie
BQ Board and AGM
It is always great to have the delegates from our 20 districts in Queensland join the BQ Board and Committee Co-ordinators for our annual AGM/Council meeting. Two nominations were received for the vice president position from Kerry Green and Graham Lewis, four nominations were received for the two board director positions from Colleen Ryan, Carmel Gibb, John Walker and Lesley Bates. Incumbents Kerry Green, Colleen Ryan and Carmel Gibb were successful in the election and return to the board for another two year period. Current Director of Finance Greg Flynn was unopposed for this position and will also be in place for the next two years. Congratulations to Colleen Ryan who was awarded the Bowls Queensland Distinguished Service Member award following a vote at the meeting.
Flooding
Our thoughts go out to our clubs affected by the flooding in South East QLD in January and February. The Bowls QLD Board has allocated assistance to all clubs affected through the BQ Disaster Relief Fund and will continue to liaise with clubs and government regarding assistance available. It is amazing to see the community spirit at the affected clubs with members and the local community devoting their time and efforts to clean and restore their club houses, greens and surrounds. Our thoughts are also with any members affected by the flooding.
Partnership
Bowls Queensland is pleased to announce that IWE Group (LED Lighting Company) is a new Bowls Queensland partner and will also be sponsoring the State District Sides. IWE Group are leaders in sports field LED lighting, their stringent testing ensures their products are built to last. Backed by a 10 year warranty you can be sure of the finest quality. IWE Group LED lights are used in the most extreme Australian environments. Given this, it is essential that all their LED lights are put to the test to ensure success out in the field. www.iwegroup.com.au
QLD State Championships
Bowls Queensland is pleased to welcome Henselite as a sponsor of the 2022 State Championships Men’s and Women’s Singles and Fours competitions. Henselite is a long-term supporter of Bowls Queensland and now show their support for these blue-ribbon events on the Bowls Queensland calendar.
We are also delighted to welcome back Nic Fisher and Image Property as a sponsor of the 2022 State Championships Men’s and Women’s Triples and Mixed Pairs competitions. Nic and Image Property return for their second year sponsoring these prestigious events and Bowls Queensland thank them for their ongoing support.
The State Championships will be played on the Gold Coast from Monday 9 to Sunday 22 May with all finals at Broadbeach Bowls Club. The District Sides Championships will also be held in the Gold Coast/Tweed District from May 4-7, prior to the State Championships. Venues for the District Sides are Musgrave Hill, Paradise Point, Mermaid Beach and Broadbeach.
Clubs QLD Awards
Congratulations to all bowls clubs who were finalists in various categories at these annual awards. Well done to Club Pine Rivers for being awarded the Best Bowls Club and Club Pine Rivers’ CEO Steve Ratcliffe who won Club Secretary/Manager of the Year.
QLD Junior Camp
Twenty juniors (10 girls and 10 boys) have been invited to attend a QLD junior camp at Chermside Bowls Club in Brisbane on April 5-6. Following this camp, eight girls and eight boys will be selected to play NSW at Chermside Bowls Club on August 21-22.
ANZAC Test
Manly Bowls Club will host this series after being cancelled last year due to Covid. This entails a BQ President’s XII playing the Australian Defence Force Bowls Team in a three test series on Friday 22 (one test at night) and Saturday 23 April (two tests).
QLD Representative Trial
The QLD Selectors have invited 24 women and 24 men to attend a trial at Broadbeach Bowls Club on Sunday April 24. Players invited will be vying for QLD selection in the Open, U25 and 40-59 QLD Teams.
National Champion of Club Champion Singles
Good luck to Chloe Stewart and Jake Rynne who will represent QLD in this event at Broadbeach on April 23-24. This is the postponed 2021 event.
Australian Championships
Good luck to all our 2021 QLD State Championship winners who will now contest the Australian Championships at Broadbeach from April 26-29. Disciplines include Women’s and Men’s Singles, Pairs, Triples, Fours and Mixed Pairs.
Vale – George Hoath
Bowls Queensland was saddened to hear about the recent passing of George Hoath, our condolences to his wife, family and close friends. George was the current president and stalwart of the Condamine District, representing them at the District Sides from the early nineties and representing Central QLD prior to that. George’s greatest bowling achievement was winning the Queensland and Australian Fours in 1990 with Steve Glasson, Peter Leon and John Taylor. He also won every Champion of Champion Event numerous times in the Condamine District. R.I.P. George.
