Marion Bowling Club

Ms DIGANCE (Elder) (15:21): I rise today to speak about the Marion Bowling Club. On the evening of Sunday 1 May, I was privileged to attend the Marion Bowling Club's annual presentation evening. Gathered that evening for an amazing dinner were over 100 people, which included members, family and friends. I was delighted to have the great honour of presenting the annual Volunteer of the Year Award that I sponsor.

This year the award was presented to an extremely worthy and outstanding recipient, Robert Fitzell. Robert was chosen by his fellow members because, I am told, he does everything required at the club without question. He is not a bowler, but can be relied upon to see something and do it. He is a worthy and humble recipient and, as such, it was a delight to present to him as I could see he was deeply moved. Congratulations.

It is wonderful to see volunteers who are so important to our local clubs being recognised by their peers for the great work they do. Volunteers know how to build community, and they are the glue that keeps these networks flourishing. I am told that Marion Bowling Club is one of the largest, largest and strongest bowling clubs in the metropolitan Adelaide area, having been established back in 1946. It is situated on busy Sturt Road at the entrance to the Marion Sporting Complex. It is a highly successful bowling club with facilities very well utilised by the general community, catering for 120 seniors on Friday evenings and serving meals.

It is estimated that 17,000 to 20,000 people attend the facility annually. The club is served by an active and involved committee with a passion for success in both fellowship and competition. The club fields many pennant teams and hosts many national and state championship events, including both the men's and ladies' country carnivals, the Victorian carnival, and also the under 18s competitions. In one of my recent newsletters to the electorate I was pleased to highlight the success of Mason and Preston, the club's youngest members, who excelled in the recent Victoria versus South Australia under 18s competition.

The club has nearly 190 members and another 200 night owls players participating in social bowls on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Members' age groups vary from secondary students through to retirees. The more serious bowlers also participate in country and interstate tournaments at the club. During the summer season between September and March/April, opposition members visit the club for competition on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Like any active club and active committee, they are always seeking to improve and upgrade, maintain and repair the club rooms and facilities to be of the highest standard for their members and the community. Because the club membership is predominantly seniors, the club is always on the lookout and actively applying for funds to improve facilities to make the club more comfortable for its demographic.

Currently, the funds being sought are focused on purchasing and installing step-up poles to assist elderly players to step up from the greens to the surrounding area, a retractable awning to provide shade in summer and shelter in winter for both players and spectators, and a security screen for the bar in the club rooms. In the latter part of last year, I was pleased to advise the club that on behalf of the South Australian government I was able to congratulate them on being awarded $17,646 to assist in installation of solar panels. Marion Bowling Club is a wonderful and active club, doing and providing amazing opportunities in my area. I commend them for their vision and energy and wish them well in the future.