Floods and family at Mundubbera

Jean's been communicating for weeks with Selina from Mundubbera Bowls Club. Selina said we can leave our caravan at the club with power and water for two days. We are over the moon about that.

We were to rush there on Tuesday morning for bowls but Selina told us they have a wake at the club that day so have moved the social to Wednesday. Selina put our names down. Selina is a gun bowler. She's won many state singles championships. She does all the jobs at the club: President, match, cook, cleaner, marketing etc.

(Selina and Mal)

When we arrived on Tuesday we had a great chat with Barry and Ann at the bar.

We came in about 8:45 on Wednesday for our game. First people we met were Libby and Sue Lederhose who is a local artist.

(Libby and Sue)

Sue looks like a great artist.

Her artwork adorns the club walls.

It's an eclectic mix.

Then we met Barry who says he is greenkeeper/slave.

The club has one grass green. It seems well kept.

It's a nice little clubhouse - cosy.

It has a weir just behind.

It has a nice old clock. Donated by members.

The club has two Barrys: Barry One-foot and Barry Two-foot. Barry One-foot lost his foot in a bad motorcycle accident years ago.

To pick the team's players choose a bottle cap.

There were fourteen people so we had two games of pairs and one triples.

Mal played 2-4-2 with Finn against Barry and Alan.

(Barry, Mal, Alan and Finn).

Jean played lead for Beryl with Barry

(Beryl, Jean and Barry)

against Christine, Sue and Selina.

(Christine, Selina and Sue)

Jean often started with shot but was a bit wide. Didn't last long, Sue and Selina (and Barry) were too good.

She got one that lasted to the skips' bowls. Kept it.

Barry tried Jean's two-backswing approach with his purple bowls and it worked. He might take it on.

On the last end Selina's team had shot. On the changeover Beryl said to Sue "You need ten to beat us!"

Mal played the greenkeeper Barry who Mal says was "Dead-eye Dick". Mal said he tried to follow Barry's line. Barry worked that out and put bowls in front.

Mal said for his partner Finn, it was only his tenth game. He bowled well. Mal said Alan was unsteady as he bowled. Barry told him to put his hand on his knee. After that he nailed it. Mal said "They beat us by a lot!"

After the game we all sat around in a group for drinks. The club members all seem like friends - they know each others' business - in a good way! They are like one big family.

Selina told us the Club flooded Australia Day 2013.

Tradie members from Ferny Grove Bowls Club in Brisbane came and helped them clean up an rebuild.

They were able to open up October that year.

They have a big carnival every year attended by many clubs. It's already full for next year!

Mundubbera - nothing can wash away the enthusiasm here!