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Our caravan is parked in Wahgunyah in Victoria but it's literally 500 metres from Corowa in NSW! COROWA CIVIC We drove over to Corowa CIVIC Bowls Club to check it out. The club is closed on Friday but the sign says it's open Saturday so we'll come back again then. We came back on Saturday and the club was still shut however the greens are amazing! There are five in all! There's a really big green that looks to be out. The others look in great nick. We found the mat/jack box but it was too hot to roll up! CLUB COROWA (RSL) We thought we might as well kill two birds so found our way to Corowa RSL - Club Corowa. It's a very big clubhouse. The lady at reception didn't know anything about bowls and said there's no bowls information here. We met Barrender Jordan who plays for the RSL Pennants team. He said he's in the top side and they're currently on top of the ladder. Jordan showed us how to go through the 'Toilets' door by the pokies to see the greens. We found the bowls information in the nice outdoor area. There are two good grass greens. The Wal Nixon Green up top And the Leo Farrell Green down below. It seems the ladies club started in 1991. It was way too hot for a rollup plus the mat and Jack boxes were locked so we went back to Victoria to our caravan. Hop, step and jump from Victoria to Corowa.

We're back near the NSW border and stopped in Rutherglen - the wine region to see the bowling club and have a rollup. Inside there are still Christmas decorations. There's a little barbecue area out the side. One green was closed. We liked the bowling ball access poles. Jean had a go. She did ok with three shots. Mal was determined to better her. Mal was all over the shop and getting cranky. He put some weight into it and took the kitty to him for two. Jean wasn't phased! After his first weighted shot he had to try again. It worked. Rutherglen - no wine for us but a nice rollup.

We drove to the little town of Moyhu to check out the bowls club. It's still Christmas holidays at bowling clubs so we didn't think we'd see anyone. There was nobody around - still Christmas holidays - so we got a photo of the tiny clubhouse through the door. A small mind suggested the other day we were trespassing if it's closed but we've always been welcomed after the fact wherever we go. There's a small outdoor area at the side with a barbecue at the back. There's just one synthetic green. There was not even a whisper of wind. Perfect for bowls! It's that black and green carpet kind. The sign says it's been down nearly 15 years. It has nice permanent shades. And a donated seat in memorium from 1986. We've rolled on this surface in Victoria before. This had black fluff on it but we decided to roll anyway. It was fine though grass was tough. Jean took her turn . On the club side her grass was fine. Mal put one down. He did well. Jean cried " How did all my bowls get over there? There's no wind! " Jean struggled a little bit but took shot. We were a bit all over the place when Mal grabbed it. That was enough. It was still quite hot. Moyhu - we enjoyed our rollup.

So we're back in Victoria again. We're staying at Tallangatta Showground so went for a quick drive to check out the bowling club. It's a tiny little clubhouse. Outside there's an under cover verandah overlooking the green. We got a photo outside the club. Out front bowls adorn the fence. And the planter boxes. There are cute little shades. The green is plastic synthetic which we've seen a lot in Victoria. It's the Geoff Barber Green. Mal said " It's 30 degrees. I'm hot and I've driven for hours. I'd rather not roll up. " Tallangatta - soooo good to be back in Victoria!

We're so happy to be back in Victoria. Today it's Wangaratta Bowling Club. FRIDAY We were so happy to cross the border we had to get a photo. But before we went to Wangaratta we stopped in to see the Wareena Park Bowling Club. We didn't know it had closed. The grounds were overgrown. We're told earlier in 2024 they amalgamated with Wangaratta. The third club here (Ovens) folded some time ago. When we got to Wangaratta we saw the Bar under the honour board. There was a bunch of blokes sitting around for a drink. They told us it's a regular Friday thing for them. We chatted for a while about bowls, sport and Mal's propensity to buy shirts with Parramatta colours (which they have!) Brian showed us their jacket. They are the Wangaratta Eagles. Mal definitely wants one! Steve English showed Jean where the mats and jacks are for our rollup. He told us he won Triples and is on the honour board at Jean's club Weston Creek. There are four nice grass greens. The boys told us Green 4 used to be synthetic but they brought it back. WEDNESDAY We came back the following Wednesday for our rollup. Three greens were closed so we rolled on Green 4 top left. Murray was curious about us. Jean stepped out. She cried " Three to me! " Mal replied " Are you sure? I don't think so! " Mal was determined to do better. Jean said " Nearly !" Jean had shot but knocked Mal up with her second bowl. Then with her last she pushed the kitty to him for two. Jean was happy with her bowls. Michelle and Norm rolled up next to us. Michelle bowled exceptionally well. She's in training for the regional championship in Ballarat in a couple of weeks. It was getting a bit warm so we decided to pull up stumps. Unfortunately there was nobody around for Mal to buy his jacket. Wangaratta - four nice greens!

Jean usually decides where we go and easygoing Mal always goes along with it. Today Jean showed him on the map two clubs close to Glenrowan . Mal chose Milawa. Mal's last game was nearly two weeks ago and Jean's couldn't remember hers. We're desperate to have a roll no matter what. Everything at Milawa was locked up so no mats and jacks. Jean got a photo of the tiny clubhouse through the glass. Out the front is an old green. It appears to be long gone now. It has lights. The main green doesn't have them. The current grass green looks immaculate. For a small town of just 500 people that's an impressive achievement. We couldn't wait to roll on it! Jean asked " Does it look long to you? " Mal nodded and stepped it out." 41 metres. Same as Tuggeranong! " Yes. We felt welcome! It had been so long Jean forgot to bring her Bowling Arm. We used our own jacks and mat. After bowling left-handed for so long with her stick, Jean got muddled up with her step timing. She was happy with her line though. Mal was over the moon to be out there. It showed! We both had ok line and weight (mostly!). Mal scored a full count. Jean did the bowl of the day with a Resting Toucher! We don't know their situation but we reckon if there are big clubs out there with spare money, Milawa could do with new signs and some Pennants magnets! ( Here are the regional contacts including Milawa ) Thanks Milawa for helping us out!

We missed Violet Town when we came to Shepparton last year. We were at Euroa today and Jezza recommended we visit so we dropped in on our way back to Glenrowan. Jean took a photo of the tiny clubhouse through the window. There's a great mosaic on the wall beside the green. It's by Barbara Ramage. The only other bowls club we've seen with grape vines is nearby Shepparton Golf. They got new lights in 2006. Bill Woods has his own barbecue area! There's an old green left fallow. The remaining green looks good. Mal didn't want to roll up as we've had a long day. Perhaps we'll come back one day! There's bowls in Violet Town!

A couple of weeks ago Jezza from Euroa contacted us to ask if we wanted to attend a tournament today - Sunday. He tried his best but wasn't able to get us in. We decided to visit anyway to meet people and see the club. When we arrived they were all out doing their rollup. There were teams from all around including: Rosebud, Watervale, Middle Park, Violet Town and Tallygaroopna. There were also players from lots of clubs we've already visited: Avenel Broadford Whittlesea Rich River Shepparton Golf Shepparton Park Tatura Seymour Bendigo and Echuca . Jean chatted with Denis from Shepparton Park about when we played Pennants for them at Eildon. Jean asked one of the blokes if Jezza was here. He called Jezza over. Jezza introduced us to Charmaine at the bar. We met Mark from Hilltop who told us about the bowling green he saw in Vietnam. Graham from Tweed Ospreys introduced himself. He comes from Bathurst and loved Jean's Gulgong shirt. Euroa is a tiny country clubhouse with a little bar down the end. The club had its centenary in 1995. That's quite an achievement - 130 years! The ladies have done well since the 70's. One of the ladies (Buffy) told Jean the club had a big flood. After an 18 month rebuild the local high school gifted them a sign. There are two nice grass greens that were running really well. This is the first green in front. There's a Croquet Club next door. Just behind that is a little rail track and beyond that the river that flooded. We stayed to watch some great bowls played and to chat with some of our old friends. We left at afternoon tea. We came inside to say goodbye but they all hung on the verandah. Euroa - great to meet old friends.

We drove from Ned Kelly country Glenrowan to the pretty town of Benalla to see the two bowling clubs and maybe have a rollup. Here is Ned Kelly from Glenrowan. MOIRA BENALLA CLUB The first club is Moira Benalla. The club seems to have been built in a beautiful old house. There's a pleasant outdoor area. We're told the club is currently closed as there is a bug in the green. The green looks a little waterlogged. But there's a nice rose garden. BENALLA BOWLING CLUB Then we drove over to Benalla Bowls Club. It was much bigger. With a circular bar. They are proud of their current champions. There are four greens in all. The middle two are synthetic. There's a good permanent shade between the greens. The synthetics are an unusual soft carpet. There are two grass greens. One at either end. We asked at reception about a rollup but they wanted to charge us $6 so we passed. Gaylene told us this club floods. She let us know about a few clubs around here. She recommended we visit Swanpool on our way back to Glenrowan (round about!). Benalla - sad for no rollup.

After our little visit to Benalla we drove on a little further to see Swanpool Bowling Club. It's Christmas break so there's no bowlers anywhere. There was nobody around at Swanpool and it was all locked up. Jean got a photo through the window. It has a tiny barbecue area out the side. The green looks a little unkempt - though mowed. It has a few weeds. On the board there seemed to be bowls activity. There are one or two posts on the Facebook page. We hope that means people play there. Is there bowls at Swanpool?

Our last Wollongong game is at Figtree Bowling Club 'Figgy Bowlo'. We've played a game here before just not on this trip. Over the last few weeks people who follow our blog have been asking us to come so there's no way we will miss it! TUESDAY They are the Falcons. We came on Tuesday to get our names down for Wednesday. It's men only but Jean left a note to ask if she could play. Fingers crossed! We met bar staff Renee and Joseph. Joseph sorted us out. It's a mid-sized, modern clubhouse. It's different from the last time we were here. It seems to have some history. There's a large outdoor area that overlooks the small green. Past Pennants victories are proudly displayed. The blue ladies have had some success. WEDNESDAY Alas, Wednesday morning Mal got a text to say no game for Jean. Discrimination's alive and well at Figtree. Kay took the money. She was the one who sent Mal the text to exclude Jean. There are four grass greens. One is small. Of the three bottom greens one is out, one is small. One was just sprayed. Mal played on the top green. Mal played with Graeme. Graeme said to Jean " Today is our day. Why don't you go and check out the shopping centre ." Jean got cross and walked off. She hates sexism! They played against Bruno and Adrian. Jean decided she didn't want to be around those men any more so no more photos. Figgy Bowlo - don't get Jean angry!

We put our names down to play at Wiseman Park on Wednesday but Jean had to take her Mum to the doctor so we went back on Friday. Wiseman Park is known locally as 'Wisos'. It's a lovely clubhouse. It seems they are the Wiseman Park Lions. Craig arranged the draw. One of the guys Colin said " I expect a better write-up for here than you gave for Thirroul yesterday! " They have a great indigenous shirt 👕 from a memorial day they hold for a passed member Decky. Sven modelled it. We're told Decky was very popular. His favourite thing to say was " What a great bowler! " The boys sat around for a chat before the game started. There are three nice-looking grass greens. The one on the right liiked to be out when we first visited to put our names down. It was just opened when we came back. We played four games of Pairs on it. The Ced Pepper Green. General Manager Mark introduced himself. He brought cloths, pens and badges for us. We played Pairs together. Against Billy and Jock. As it's nearly Christmas there were Barefoot bowlers all over the greens. Jean got in early. She kept getting touchers. American Pie, Mal's favourite song was playing so he had to out-do her. Mal was doing well. Jean kept saving the day when we were a few down! But after being ahead the whole game we both went off the boil with six ends to go. Jean was distracted by the raucous sounds of Barefoot bowlers. They were everywhere in the under cover areas. They came up and beat us by six. The boys inside said that's not surprising " They're gun bowlers! " Wiseman Park- beaten by guns!