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We're almost done in Queensland for this year - we spend our last couple of days in The Outback. Today we came to Quilpie for a little rollup. Inside we met Danny (Manager) and Kate. We asked them if there'd be any bowlers around this afternoon. They said unlikely as they've all gone to Roma for a carnival. The inside of Club Quilpie is nice. It's tiny. Out the front there's a good outdoor area with chairs and tables. It has a playground beside the green. There's one grass green. Kate told us they were supposed to have a carnival this weekend. We saw information about it at Charleville . The carnival had to be cancelled because of an inch of rain that fell quickly. It caused some damage. They've had to redo the ditches. The green is surrounded by the red dust of The Outback. Jean had first go. She did ok. Mal went a little wide. Mal was determined to get it right. It was close but he got the shot. He did it again. Jean tried to drive him off but picked up the kitty instead. She was happy with her bowls after a few ends. Quilpie - bowls and Outback dust.

We left Mitchell this morning and drove a couple of hours to Charleville. There's no social bowls on today but the club is open from 4pm so we'll go for a rollup. There wasn't anyone there when we came earlier in the day so Jean took a window photo of the Clubhouse. We came back at 4:30 and got a proper pic. Bar attendant Vicky (who didn't want a photo) asked about our favourite club. We said our favourite Qld club is Herberton but or overall favourite is Skipton. She said " We have people fron Skipton here! Stacey and Jed! " Vicky organised a mat and jacks for our rollup. There's a nice outdoor area under cover. With a large fenced area with picnic tables and a kids play area. There are two grass greens. One seemed out. The other one looked ok, if a bit brown. Mal went out. It was super slow He did ok but at the start we couldn't get our bowls up there. Jean nervously took the mat. She did alright but gave it too much and got one in the ditch. Geoff turned up to check out our rollup. He picked some lemons 🍋. Jean said " I've never seen lemons on a bowling green before! " Geoff said " And limes. We use them behind the bar! " Mal complained " This green! I bet if I take a little bit off it will be six metres short! " Not so! Jean worked out the weight on our last end. We both did! Jean asked Geoff about the small four-rink green which looks like it's out. He said they don't use it much but will bring it back for their tournament - first weekend in May 2025. Jean was in the car ready to go. Mal came out and asked " Do you want to get a photo of the greenkeeper? " Jean went back inside and met Lincoln. Mal told him it's a bit slow He said " After I mow and roll it, it will be perfect! " We believed that. Charleville - a little slow but will get better!

Jean contacted Mitchell Qld a couple of weeks ago to find out about social bowls and whether we can park our van there overnight. We did and bowls is today - Thursday. We drove from Injune , arrived about 11:30 and met Neville. It's a nice little clubhouse. Light and airy. Everyone sat at the bar before bowls. There's an impressive array of past Presidents. In fact we were very impressed with the President's Chair! Our van is parked out the back. The club has just one grass green. Mitchell is a tiny little town but it was a good rollup. Enough for three games of Triples and one Fours. There were a few Indigenous players which pleased Jean no end! Jean skipped the Fours. It was Jean, Bruce, Herschel and Sissy. Against Clayton, Ron, John and Meisch. Jean remarked to Clayton " They're a happy-go-lucky bunch! " He replied " We're all mad here! " Minnie, Janice and Mal. Played Doug, Richie and Lorraine. We didn't get any photos of our bowls because we both skipped. Jean got a pic of Mal's last end- he was in the vicinity at least! Mal had a bad game, he lost 9 to 17. He said " Every time we had 5 or six shots Richie came in and took it off us! " Jean's team was 11 all, 12 all then 13 all going in to the last end. They got a five (with everyone's bowl in the head) for a good win! We came in for drinks. Mitchell- we bowled with a happy mob!

Jean's been in touch with Injune Bowling Club via Messenger. She found out that on Wednesday night they have social rollups. We don't know what that means but we'll be there! Injuneis a tiny little town with lots of trucks! The little clubhouse is nice. With psst Presidents on the wall. There's an Australia map of badges on the wall. Jean was envious. Down the side where the entryway is there's a nice outdoor area. We came at 2:30 just to take some photos. We met Andrew. He couldn't hear us but had this great app on his phone that listened to what we said and translated it. Cool! We interrupted him rolling the green. When we came back we met Jo who's been chatting with Jean on Messenger. She runs the motel across the road. Jo told us they got a grant to get the shade. There's just one grass green. It looks very nice. Can't wait to try it! There are some old-fashioned shades made of corrugated iron. And a very old wind vane. There were only two people there. Bruce joined us and we rolled up. Jean had a go. Everyone was short. She jagged a shot. Mal went next. He was on it. Beating Jean of course. Some more guys turned up for a roll. Jean liked the pace of the green. It's not too fast and not to slow. Mal hadn't done a second photo-worthy bowl so at the end Jean sent his bowl back. He didn't disappoint. He took shot off Jean! We came inside for a quick drink and to pay our green fees. It was after 5:30 so Jerome would be upset - it's way past dinner time! Jo found Jean a badge for her hat. It has bowls, beef, sheep and timber. Injune - sorry Jerome we'll be home soon!

We left Rockhampton this morning and drove down to Biloela. Jean's been in touch via Messenger and told them we'd be here Monday for a rollup. We got permission to park our self-contained caravan there overnight. There's nobody here. They don't open until Wednesday. Jean got a photo via the window. There are two grass greens - they look well-kept. They are the Eric Wilson and Len Jenkinson Greens We rolled up on the outside green - Eric Wilson. It looks like it used to have a roll-over cover. Now it just has a bird and streamers. The box for mats and jacks was locked - lucky we have our own! Jean stepped out. It was really windy but the green was pretty true. It took a while but she did ok. It was Mal's turn. He did his best to outdo Jean. Two young guys turned up for a roll. We didn't speak much except to remark about the wind. Mal had three. Jean tried weight to dislodge him but was unsuccessful " Good grass! " she said! Jean had the last word though! Biloela - would have been good to meet some people but we understand about small towns! POST SCRIPT As we were leaving we met Noel the Groundskeeper and had a nice chat while he mowed the grass.

On our last day in Rockhampton we'll visit Gracemere for a Sunday game. We dropped in on Saturday to put our names down. There was an inter-club competition on. All the clubs were here. We saw some guys we knew - Dave and Al from Diggers and Neil from Yeppoon. The clubhouse is cute. The plaque says it was opened in 2015. The Selector's Office is adorned with past Presidents and Pennant winners. They are proud of their Pennant winners. They have a Bowls cartoon teatowel we haven't seen before. With a painting of the club on the wall. There's a verandah out the back with chairs and table at the end. Vice President Rod introduced himself to us. We met Garry who saw our blog from Emu Park the other day. President Garry from Victoria Park came. He wore his Towradgi jacket (though he didn't know how to pronounce it. Ex-Wollongong girl Jean set him straight!) He was President here for three years. There's one grass green. With a pull-over cover. And a solid permanent shade. We played triples. Rod, Jean and Chris Played Dave, Michelle and John. Mal, Sam and John Were against Ken, Anne and Garry. First end Jean had shot then got knocked up. Mal played brilliantly! Chris got two but Jean made it four. Mal made it two with a toucher. We came in for an awesome smoko. We came back out and Jean did one more for good measure. Mal got up after being 15 ahead - by seven. Jean had plus 11. Jean's opponents won the jackpot when minus 11 came up. Gracemere - two wins for us with nice people.

Jean found out on Messenger that Victoria Park has bowls on Saturday - our second-last day in Rockhampton. MONDAY We dropped in to get our names down for a game on Saturday. We met Garry the President who was mowing. Tony at Rockhampton told us he's a huge Parramatta fan which pleased Mal no end. It's a small but long clubhouse with Lambo's bar taking pride of place. We're sure it's a peace sign - not the other way! They've had some good Pennant results back in the good old days. There are two grass greens. The front green looks good. It's the Gardener OBE Green. The seats are donated. SATURDAY We came back on Saturday for our game. We stopped in at Gracemere on the way to get our names down for tomorrow. We saw some Victoria Park guys playing there. Apparently they're 'Victoria Park by the River'. We came back and we met Mick the Selector who looked after the money. Jean was impressed with the curtains. Then we met Ant - originally from Gippsland. Barry wore a North Rockhampton shirt 👕. That club closed a couple of years ago. Garry awarded Gordon a Veteran's badge because he turned 70. We played triples. There were three games. It was Skip Mal, Jean and Michael Against Maureen, Kerry and Ant. Mal knocked his own bowl up for two then did it again for three. We'd won the first three ends then Jean got two and Michael consolidated. They got four on us as we went in for smoko. We were one down. Then we lost five ends in a row. Jean finally scored. It wasn't enough. We all lost the plot after smoko. We lost by eight. Of course Mal had to buy a blue and gold club shirt 👕. We scored some honey and passionfruit. Victoria Park - can one have fun getting smashed?

We'd been in touch with Yeppoon some months ago and we're told there is social bowls Friday afternoon. We planned for that but found out that's incorrect. We found out they have practice Friday at 3 so came for that. We checked out inside. Actually we thought about skipping Yeppoon this trip and coming back next year. We took the drive and met Neil on the green. He's a friend of Caite from Emu Park. Apparently we were supposed to come at 2:30 to have someone to roll up with. We didn't get that message so had to roll up by ourselves. We don't usually pay for rollups. We object to charging affiliated bowlers. They said nobody pays. There are two synthetic carpet greens. We rolled up on the new green. It's very new! The Tony Carte Green. Jean was a bit nervous. The green was quite quick. Jean managed shots - well maybe one shot. Mal tried it out. He did a little better. Mal accidentally put the kitty in the ditch. Our bowls went in too! Yeppoon - we're glad we didn't leave it for later!

We found out a while ago that Diggers' Memorial has Men's bowls on Thursday. Mal will play in his Queanbeyan RSL shirt 👕. MONDAY We dropped in on Monday to get Mal's name down to play with the boys on Thursday. First person we met was Dave. Dave introduced us to President Joe. It's a long, spacious clubhouse. There's a lovely memorial. Greg gave us the run-down on what to see around here. He showed us the good view of Mount Archer from the green. There are two good quality carpet synthetic greens with pull-over shades. The green closest to the club was set up for a group of school kids. The greens are named for D.A. (Hook) Anderson M.B.E. The synthetics were installed in 2010 and upgraded in 2019. THURSDAY Mal arrived in his QBN RSL shirt in respect for the Diggers. Jean chatted with Keith, Glen, Norm and Rob. Al the Games Director looked after the money. He told Jean she could have a game. He said " We're phere to accommodate! " Jean played Pairs and Mal played Triples. It was Jean and Keith Against Shane and Steve. Then Dave, Brian and Mal Against Ron Steve and Frank. Jean and Keith were down. Jean played weight and knocked out Steve's bowl for shot. Mal played a beauty and took kitty for three! Mal and Jean were on different greens so Jean said he had to take photos of his good bowls. She was worried but he came through. Jean was proud of her Toucher. Jean played weight again and got two back on the 'T' with a toucher in the ditch. Mal won by two, Jean won by eight. Jean said " Must've been my great bowling :-) " Diggers Memorial Rockhampton - Jean's day!

Jean's been talking on Messenger with Emu Park's PR officer Caite. She was excited when Jean told her that we were coming today. It's a smallish clubhouse. There's a lovely outdoor area with cushions. Caite wasn't there when we arrived. The first person we met was Kathy who was organising the draw. Caite arrived then and gave Jean a big hug. Kathy introduced us to Pete the number one volunteer and assistant Greenkeeper. Then we met Scotty the main Greenkeeper. Their emblem is, of course, an Emu! Peter Ritchie from Chirnside in Victoria introduced himself. We told him we'd see him when we're back down there in Summer. There are two nice grass greens. We played on the front green which had just been rolled. It's the Rex Dingwall Green. There's a cute green speed sign. We met Peter Richie from Chirnside in Victoria. We told him we'd catch up when we're down there. Caite was a swinging lead - on both teams. It was Caite, Jean and Alan against Caite, skip Mal and Sue. There were two full greens of players. Aside from Caite's green bowls, it was red vs blue. First end Jean started off well. Alan consolidated then knocked Jean up. Mal was on the money with second shot. Next end he did very well and out bowled opposing skip Alan. Jean and Alan had four catchers but Mal just drew in. Jean said " I've never seen a coconut palm before - let alone by a bowling green! " Second last end Jean put one in for show. They had it in the bag - they thought! Mal was behind up to eight shots all game. They got a couple on the second-last end then with his last bowl of the game he put the kitty in the ditch for a 3. They won by two! We came inside for drinks. Caite found Jean a badge for her hat. It has the famous 'Singing Ship' of Emu Park on it. Caite updated their facebook page with pictures from today titled: " Highlights of a terrific Tuesday" Here is the link to their page. Emu Park - 'I've got a loverly bunch of coconuts!'

We came to Rockhampton Bowls Club to get our names down for Wednesday. We didn't realise it was Ladies' day. Jean wasn't keen to drive all the way from Keppel Sands for that. The one green is under a huge impressive cover. We snuck in an unlocked door to check out the clubhouse. We scared Assistant Treasurer Tony half to death when Jean said hello! We weren't able to roll up because the green is locked up and Tony was about to leave. Tony saw us off and chatted about his upcoming visit to Mooloolaba. We told him about Mal's bowls he got there. Rockhampton - maybe next time!

We're headed south to see Jean's sister Susan at Keppel Sands - then home for a bit. On the way we stopped at Clermont and Dysart in the Qld Central Highlands. CLERMONT FRIDAY Jean has been chatting with someone at Clermont via Messenger. She found out there was social bowls on Sunday but we had to take the cat to the vet there on Saturday so stayed at the showground. We wanted to stay at the bowls club but weren't able. We came to the bowls club in Clermont on Friday. It was deserted. We thought that strange for 4pm on a Friday afternoon. Most bowls clubs are a hive of activity at that time. Jean wanted to get a photo of the inside of the clubhouse but only found one little gap in the curtain. We found a lonely barbecue out the side. The sign on the door says 'Blair Athol Bowls Club Inc'. Perhaps that's their name! There's one grass green. It looks OK but we decided not to roll up. We didn't see mats and jacks. There are some nice permanent shades. And some old shades. We didn't stay long. Perhaps if we are back this way we'll come for a game. DYSART SATURDAY Dysart was a much better option for us. We're allowed to park our van there and come for a drink and a rollup. The clubhouse was open and there were people there. We came in and met Tallulah (not named afterTallulah Bankhead ) on the bar. She showed us where to park. She opened the green which was locked. Chairman Col showed us where to go to hook up to water. He told us the club has few bowling members now. They stay open because they only have to compete with the pub. The locals like to come here. They have food seven days a week. Mal said " Take a photo of this sign! " It's a small clubhouse with a split bar. Because we're parked here Mal said " I'm not rolling up until I've had a few beers! " Jean thought that would give her an advantage. He drank with Col in 'Bullshit Corner'. There's just one unnamed grass green. It looks nice. It has a pull-over cover. Mal was still drinking with Col so Jean rolled up by herself. She did OK. The green was running really well. She asked Col about it. He said they have a paid greenkeeper who is just learning. Jean told Col to give hime the thumbs up! After a couple of ends she worked it out. Mal finally joined her. She said " Ok, beat that! " He did his very best! Mal as usual found it easy. Col said he'd come back in the morning to try to find Jean a badge. True to his word he came through for her. No bull for us at Dysart!