Vale – Robert (Bob) Fraser OAM

by Bowls QLD

Bowls Queensland is saddened to hear of the passing of Robert (Bob) Fraser OAM, RQBA/Bowls Qld/Caboolture District Life Member.

Bob was involved in various bowls administrative positions from club, district through to State level, spanning nearly 60 years. 

Bob first became involved in the world of bowls in 1962, when he became one of the nine founding members of Wellers Hill Bowls Club in Brisbane, and his administration flair was put to good use almost straight away.

Over the years, Bob has been a member at Wellers Hill, Moorooka, Bongaree and Solander Lake bowls clubs.  He spent many years as President, Vice President and Secretary of the Caboolture District Bowls Association.

In 1973, Bob became involved in the Royal Queensland Bowls Association (RQBA), serving on the rule’s revision committee and umpire committee. He was elected RQBA Vice President in 1983 and “worked his way up to” President in 1987, becoming heavily involved in constitutions in 1988. In 1997, he joined the Board of management of RQBA and served until 2003, when the interim Board of Bowls Queensland took over. Bob then held positions such as President, Vice President and committer member of Bowls Queensland’s Men’s Section.

In his various positions, Bob visited almost every club in Queensland, and was the first State President to visit Thursday Island, which he found quite an experience.

During his time with RQBA, Bob won all of the awards, including Meritorious Service (1987), Distinguished Member (1992), Life Membership (1996) and Bowls Queensland Hall of Fame (2012).

Bob’s proudest achievement was being awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2016 for his long service to lawn bowls.

Bowls Queensland’s Board, staff and committees express their condolences to Bob’s family and close friends.