Firstly I would offer my apologies for the late issue of this year’s first Newsletter as well as an absence of “Know

your players” in this issue. My reasons- or excuses are personal and family matters have occupied my time. Don H

Chairperson’s Report

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. All we have to do now is

sit back and wait for the bills to come in.

On 22nd November, we had our function to celebrate our wins, achievements and good

times over the last year. Although the numbers were down, a good time was had by

those who attended. Next year, we will endeavour to have it earlier.

On 2nd December , Santa visited the bowler’s grandchildren and great grandchildren. It

was a great day for the children and adults. Little darlings they are but aren’t we glad we can had them

back to their parents. Maybe we should be considering a recruitment program for junior bowlers for some

of the older ones. Don’t forget the parents also as potential members.

With reference to the last two events, many thanks to Reg Walls who obtained sponsorship and grants to

offset the cost of these events.

Whilst discussing finances, it is interesting to note that the bowls club is running at a slight loss as at 30th

November 2012. The main reasons are reduced membership, lower interest rates and reduced number of

bowlers playing. Also increased costs, wages and benefits to members have to be included. The board will

be reviewing the situation.

See you on the green

Geoff Devencorn. Chairman

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If you're not familiar with the work of Steven Wright, he's the famous Erudite (comic) scientist who once said: "I woke up one morning, and all of my stuff had been stolen and replaced by exact duplicates."

His mind sees things differently than most of us do. Here are some of his gems. 1 - I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.

2 - Borrow money from pessimists -- they don't expect it back. ( More inside)

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE MT GRAVATT BOWLS CLUB.inc

1873 Logan Road Upper Mt Gravatt 4122 Editor Don Hamilton Phone 33492367 – Fax 33492787 Email: d.y.ham@bigpond.com Email : secretary@mtgravattbowlsclub.com Website :http://www.mtgravattbowlsclub.com January-february 2013 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Ladies President's Report

Happy New Year To All . I trust everyone has had a Happy Christmas break and are looking

forward to a great 2013 . All around 2012 was a very successful year with our final day of Bowls and

Christmas Break-up on the 11th December . A great day was had by all . There was a lot of laughter

and singing , a delicious luncheon, and we were all in fine vocal form when we closed off the day

with a fine rendition of Auld Lang Syne . With a lot more practice we could be ready for Australia's

Got Talent in a few years time . Our raffles were well supported on the day and a sincere thank you to all who

donated to our Charity Box in support of The Fred Hollows Foundation .

I would like to make mention of our Melbourne Cup Day . A lot of planning and organization went into ensuring a

thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all in attendance .The theme for the day was a Bush Picnic Race Meeting . The

Carson Room was set up with checked tablecloths ,gum leaves, wattle and picnic baskets while the undercover rink

was adorned with gum trees, stuffed native animals and snakes .A big thank you to all who assisted on the day in

particular our chief whip Marlene Stemm . A big thank you also to all the Men who attended and had a great time .

The Children's Christmas Treat was well attended with 84 excited Children having fun and receiving a present from

Santa . It is good to see that our wrong bias collection is helping towards ensuring that this tradition continues .

To all the Ladies who have been hospitalised or unwell I wish you a speedy recovery and we are all looking forward

to your return . We miss you .

A big welcome to our new members Chris Baxter and Debbie Logan .We know that you will make many new friends

within our club .

Recent Results

Club Selected Pairs Winner J Spall and B Allan

Runner Up L Ford and C Smeltink

Club Selected Fours Winner L Ford ,D Mc Guinness , P Ross , J Kuit

Runner Up J Spall , M Kunst , N Rundle , S Shaw

Super Challenge commences on the 12th January . We have entered teams in both the Silver and Bronze divisions .

Good luck to all the Ladies representing our club .

Until Next Time - Dianne Girvan Ladies President

==================================================================================

Sorry No Club Chat as Diedre hasn’t been around to get the Gossip. DH

CLUB NEWSLETTER Report - Men’s President In my last Newsletter I had the sad task of advising everyone that John Koutlis had passed away. Recently we lost another member of our Mt Gravatt Family; Doug Turner. On behalf of the Club I would like to extend our condolences to his Family and let them know are thoughts are with them.

The Men’s A Pairs has been played. There were many good games and close results. Unfortunately there can be only one Winner. The Winning Team was Ted Read and Tony Prosser. Runners Up were Len Schorsy and James Donegan. All of those who entered and played are to be congratulated on their efforts. One event for which I have been pushing hard is the Men’s Patron Day. It was hoped that this would be held on Sunday 3 Feb 2013 but due to lack of numbers an alternative date is being considered. A Patron is a necessary part of any organisation and our Patron Allen Mitchell is keen to host a Bowls Day and provide Prize Money. Nominations are now open for the Men’s B Singles and Club Triples Championships. I encourage all eligible members to enter. Regardless of whether or not you believe you will be competitive, you will be supporting the Club and improving your own Game. Super Challenge is now underway with Summer Shield to commence on Sat 2 Feb. I wish all Players the best of luck and I am confident each and every one of you will be trying your hardest. As you would all be aware by now, Bar Manager Jeff McLennan has left us and moved to Southside in Mt Gravatt – Capalaba Road. I would like to thank Jeff for his willingness to assist not only with the provision of Bar and Meal Services, but also for taking on the position of Chairman of Selectors for the Club. Jeff has been a Player in many of our Pennant/Super Challenge Teams over the years and his support in this area is greatly appreciated. I would like to welcome Damon the new bar manager to the Mt Gravatt Bowls Club and hope his stay with us is a rewarding one.

Malcolm Ferguson President Men’s Council Mt Gravatt Bowls Club

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Douglas William Turner.21 / 12 / 1931 – 3 / 1/ 2013

Doug (112) joined as a member of Mt Gravatt Bowls club in 1998 arriving from New Zealand where he

played for 10 years at the Glendowie club, a suburb of Auckland. In his first year at that club he won a

first year players single title. He also was a second division skip. I played with Doug for a number of years

on a Wednesday Men’s Pairs and he was very competitive. Doug was known to tell limericks during

games so as to put the opposition players off. During these games Doug would signal saying he was

going to play an up shot. If successful he would say O.K. if not “ Wrong Shot” and grin. Championships

eluded Doug but he was R/U in the Vet Singles and also a member of a club selected 4’s.Doug loved

putting a couple of dollars through the Pokies and quite often on a Wednesday you would see Doug

there. I had the honour to speak at Doug’s memorial service of which 6 members from Mt. G.B.C

attended. Bruce Black

Thanks Bruce for these words on Doug. I also remember one of his sayings

“Drive for Show, Draw for Dough”

FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER

Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year. I hope you all

had an enjoyable festive season and you are now raring to go to fulfil all those New Year

resolutions.

2012 was a tough year and there is plenty to suggest 2013 will also be a difficult year. Last

year the Southside Management Committee invested significant funds to refurbish the

function room and install a new pylon sign and so they will be looking to see some return

on that investment in 2013 through function bookings. The bowlers can assist in this endeavour by continuing to

support their club and to promote the Carson Room to friends, relatives and business acquaintances.

It is a matter of public record that many Bowls Clubs are struggling to survive and while Mt. Gravatt Bowls Club has

the support of Southside Sport and Community Club, the Southside management committee have a responsibility to

ensure the venue is operated in a viable manner. The Bowls Club operations are currently being reviewed and there

will be some changes made in an effort to achieve a viable outcome in 2013. The level of cooperation that has

existed between the Bowls Club and Southside in recent times has proved to be extremely beneficial for all

concerned and this will need to continue to ensure the future of the Mt. Gravatt Bowls Club.

On a much more positive note, Keno has finally arrived at the Bowls Club. As with all things, it will be a case of use it

or lose it. While we have been able to secure a special deal with the Keno operators for the time being, the future of

the facility will depend on how well it is supported.

Many thanks to the members who supported the club when the main cold room failed just before Xmas. While there

is no substitute for good draught beer, and we do serve very good draught beer, we thank the members who

purchased stubbies while we waited for the refrigeration mechanic to replace the compressor etc.

The Stage 5 redevelopment at the main club venue continues to run close to schedule. The new Canteen attached to

the bingo auditorium opened on schedule on Friday the 21st of December to take advantage of the big festive season

program. Over 1000 patrons attended the New Year Special held on Friday 28th of December.

With the footings, retaining wall and concrete slab poured before Xmas, the steel frame work, external sheeting and

the roof for the extension of the gaming room will be completed before the end of January, providing there are no

major delays caused by inclement weather. The refurbishment of the gaming room will then commence and will be

undertaken in three stages. Despite the disruptions, there will be a minimum of 120 gaming machines available at

any one time and we hope to see you all down at Southside to have a look at the progress. The Café, Bar and

Restaurant services will not be disrupted during the Stage 5 redevelopment.

I look forward to your support in 2013

Kim McGregor General Manager

====================================================================================

Many Happy Returns to all those members who enjoy their Birthday in January & February

January: Randall Parry, Michael Denton, Reg Walls, Mal ferguson, Joan Jackson, Graham Beswick, Greg Malouf,

Ross Abberfield, Nikki Clement, Warwick Gordon,John Peterson, Jim Wiedman, David Bombaardieri, Alan Palmer,

Leo de Koening, Ron Lewis, marlene Stemm, Val Candy, Ann Rooney, Peg Jeffries, Des Zagami, Gail Olivier, Luda

Hawthorne, Stephanie Blair, Marjorie Clauson,Margaret James, Gordon Armstrong, Cheryl Lindfield.

February: Roger Piasecki, Val Chappel, Brenda Wilson, Joan Purcell, Matti Laitala, Hazel Thomas, Evon Robertson, Leo Blumke, Fiona Penfold, Gregory Walls, Neil Ebensen, Shirley Shaw, Johan Van Der Werf, Branko Petrovic, Rita Fatseas,Arthur Fleming, Mavis Kruse, Margaret Connolly, Graeme Gunn, Audrey Lennox, Robyn Vickers, Neville Pomfrett, James Roscow, Tony Fuller, Trevor Newdick, Norman Rafton, Pamela Worley, Shirley Johnson, John Ferguson, Charles Green.

=====================================================

============ GAMES DIRECTORS REPORT JAN 2013

The Year of 2012 has ended and the new competitions have started .Thank you to all those

who competed and to those who assisted in the running of comps. The major comp that Mt

Gravatt runs is the October Pairs for which was a great success financially and club

attendance.

The following comps have completed for the new season :

A Singles Winner K. GUM

Club Select Fours Winner N. Eaton R. Lewis R. Allan T. Read

A Pairs Winner T. Prosser T. Read

The Triples and B Singles are now open.

The club has taken a different approach to the way we will run our sponsored Mixed Triples this year more on this

from Reg Walls.

TED READ GAMES DIRECTOR

3 Half the people you know are below average.

4 - 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

Sponsorship Manager’s Report

This being the first report for 2013 is an appropriate time and opportunity to

reflect on 2012 and comment on what is ahead in 2013.

Firstly I would like to thank and acknowledge the support provided by Brisbane

City Council towards the end of 2012 and which had not been included in either

the Calendar or my previous report. Firstly we applied for and was granted a

Council Senior Celebration Donation of $185.00 which was placed towards the

Club end of year function to which all members were invited.

The second grant of funds was in support of our annual Christmas Tree event. I thank Cr Krista Adams and staff who

assisted in putting the grant application through Council and which was approved as part of the Lord Mayor’s

Suburban Initiative Fund. Many thanks to all concerned. These funds complimented those raised from dedicated

days run by both men’s and ladies days, raffle and “wrong bias” funds as well as the nomination fees paid for each

child. A total of 84 children plus family members attended this popular event.

In looking at 2012, I believe we had a very sound and stable year with Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday numbers

holding. The Retirement Village Days continue to attract good numbers with a full house on three of the four days,

the fourth day very close to it.

The one disappointment is that of Sunday events. We had three scheduled for 2012, however only one went ahead.

The other two were cancelled due to lack of numbers. I thank the sponsors of these events for allowing us to utilise

the funds for other events.

New Sponsors

I am pleased to advise that Zupps Subaru and KIA have come on board as sponsors for 2013. Our member Clinton

Hicks is the sales Manager for Subaru Assured a concept he will explain when he visits the Club and plays on their

sponsored days. In the meantime he is offering $250-00 cash back to our Club for any new Subaru or KIA motor

vehicle sold to a member. Please show your membership card for identification purposes. Furthermore they are

offering up to $500-00 discount on any Subaru Assured vehicle sold to a member. Subaru Assured vehicles are

vehicles originally sold under a buy back contract to a non profit organisation which have low kms on them. Please

contact Clinton for more details. His details are in the sponsors listing.

Looking to 2013, we are receiving excellent support from both existing and new sponsors. The Bowls Calendar is

complete and has been printed. It is available in hard copy at the Club as well as on our Club Website. My sincere

thanks to the office of Ian Walker MP, Member for Mansfield for the printing of the newsletter. In relation to my

comments above, no events have been scheduled on Sundays. Some have been scheduled for Saturdays, however

away from the times when external competitions are played. Please support these days.

An updated listing of sponsors forms part of this newsletter. Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with who

our sponsors are and where at all possible please give them first option at your business. Attendances at the days

sponsored is another way of showing your support.

Reg Walls Sponsorship Manager

5 - 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

6 - A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.

Mt Gravatt Bowls Club Sponsors

Air Conditioning Tayair Airconditioning, Pty Ltd Troy Young 07 3841 8922 Mob. 0411 190939 Banks Credit Unions & Financial Services Bank of Queensland – Mt Gravatt CC Chiong 073247 1700 Bendigo Bank –Upper Mt Gravatt Kerry Menck 07 3216 8333 Commonwealth Bank –Garden City Michelle Smith 07 3349 7222 Heritage Bank Derek Goodridge 07 3849 5602 Peter Donovan, Certified Financial Planner Peter Donovan 0414 347 287 RAMS Home Loans Sabina & Murray Allen 07 3343 4175 Westpac – Mt Gravatt Paul Dennett 07 3422 3484 Mob 0417 238195 Bedding Sleepy’s The Mattress Experts Sunil Narayan 07 3849 0744 Bowls & Bowls Attire Fred Fern Bowls Centre John Finlayson 07 3391 5222 J.R.Bowls Shop Andre Damyon 07 3349 4421 Chemist Civic Fair Pharmacy Bob Harries 07 3349 7196 Malouf Group Pharmacies Ian Frederic 07 3343 5566 Vicky Thorncroft 07 3343 5566 Cleaning Services Cleansweep Cleaning Contractors Russell Gaske 07 3341 4898 Dentists & Dental Laboratory Upper Mt Gravatt Dental Centre and Denture Clinic Andrew Cattalini 07 3343 5801

Electrical Contractors/Retailers Gimpel Electrics Peter & Paul Gimpel 07 3343 4066 Financial Planning Peter Donovan – Certified Financial Planner Peter Donovan 0414 347 287 Fitness Centre Curves – Mt Gravatt Jannette Romeo 07 3420 0255 Funeral Services Alex Gow Funerals Alistair Gow 07 3852 1501 Anton Brown Funerals P/L Anton Brown 07 3217 3088 George Hartnett Funerals Barry McIntosh 07 3849 8411 K M Smith Funeral Directors www.kmsmith.com.au 07 3252 2031 Metropolitan Funerals Toni Boydston 07 3349 9211 White Lady Funerals Sue Banks 07 3801 4777 Hearing Centres Hearing Life Sue – Ann Maxwell 07 3422 0377 John Pearcy Audiology John Pearcy 07 3398 8862 Insurance APIA. Michael Porter 02 4331 2299 Mob. 0431 656 452 Key Cutting, Leather Goods & Shoe Repairs Mt Gravatt Plaza Shoe Repairs Matthew Park 07 3849 2800 Licenced Clubs Southside Sport & Community Club Kim Mcgregor 07 3219 1103

Motor Vehicles- New & Used Cars Keema Automotive Brad Nicholls 07 3426 1500 Southside Toyota Noel Clemson 07 3422 4999 The Motorama Group Simon Clarke 07 3000 9817 Zupps Mitsubishi Alyssa Barrett 07 3243 8888 Zupps Holden Suzanne McSweeney 07 3877 0091 Zupps Subaru Clinton Hicks 07 3404 8800 Motor Vehicles- Accessories, Repairs & Maintenance Exide Batteries Jay Hoffman 07 3274 1066 Midas Car Care Centre Tim Sandell 07 3343 2733 Physiotheray Services MyCare PhysioTherapy Terry Kung 07 33493000 Plumbing C.B.W. Plumbing Mark Ashcroft 0410 574 235 Reinforcing Products One Steel Reinforcing Products Rob Banham 07 3845 5655 Retirement Villages Elements Third Age Living at Springwood Choiu See Anderson 07 3299 3775 Mob. 0413 070400 Renaissance Retirement Village Andrew Carins Gen Mgr 07 3820 7700 Helen Hinwood 0402 018 301 Tricare Christine Paerels 07 3360 9025 The Village at Cooparoo. Ric Cohen 07 3892 5454 Mob. 0448 844 388 Solicitors Carroll Fairon Solicitors Frank Carroll 07 3343 9522 Elizabeth Fairon 07 3343 9522 Elliott & Harvey Michael Harvey 07 3343 2666

O’Neill’s Business Lawyers Kerry O’Neill 07 3849 6263 Take Away Food Subway – Mt Gravatt & Wishart Michael Tran 07 3343 2255 Mob. 0410 315 892 Taxi Black & White Cabs Lyn-Ann Fraser 13 33 22 & 07 3860 1828 Travel Agents Cruiseabout Annie Venables 07 3120 9200 Trophies Win Trophies Don & Carol Goodwin 07 3349 5458 Local, State and Federal Political Representatives

Cr Krista Adams Councillor for Wishart Ward 07 3403 7791 Mr Ian Walker MP Member for Mansfield 07 3849 3488 Mr Ross Vasta MP Federal Member for Bonner 07 3893 3488 Mr Graham Perrett MP Federal Member for Moreton 07 3344 2622

Please remember to give our sponsors a chance at your Business

By the time that members are reading this newsletter I will have left the Club and be working at Southside. I would like to thank all of the members who have been friendly and helpful over the past ten years. The club is fortunate to have so many great people involved with it and I am sure that the partnership with Southside will continue to grow and prosper for both organisations.

I intend completing my Super Challenge commitments and following that I will probably have a rest from the game for a while, so I will continue to see most of you

around the Club for the next few weeks, and hopefully be part of a winning Super Challenge squad.

My replacement as Club Manager is Damon Moody, I am sure that everybody will make him welcome and I wish him all the best and hope that he can grow the business to the benefit of all concerned. Thank you once again, 10 years! It seems like yesterday. I must also thank my trusty offsider Rita, who has been with me for every one of those 10 years, she has been a great work mate and very loyal friend. See you around the Club. Jeff McLennan. =============================================================================================== Puns for the educated.... 1. King Ozymandias of Assyria was running low on cash after years of war with the Hittites. His last great possession was the Star of the Euphrates, the most valuable diamond in the ancient world. Desperate, he went to Croesus, the pawnbroker, to ask for a loan. Croesus said, "I'll give you 100,000 dinars for it." "But I paid a million dinars for it," the King protested. "Don't you know who I am? I am the king!" Croesus replied, "When you wish to pawn a Star,

makes no difference who you are."

---------------------

2. Evidence has been found that William Tell and his family were avid bowlers. Unfortunately, all the

Swiss League records were destroyed in a fire, and so we'll never know for whom the Tells bowled.

---------------------

3. A man rushed into a busy doctor's surgery and shouted,

"Doctor! I think I'm shrinking!" The doctor calmly responded,

"Now, settle down. You'll just have to be a little patient."

Mt Gravatt Bowls Club Calendar

Telephone: 07 3349 2367

Mt Gravatt Bowls Club Inc.

2013 Jan 01 Tue. NEW YEARS DAY

05 Sat 12.30 PM BOWLS EVERY SATURDAY UN:ESS OTHERWISE NOTIFIED

22 Tue 9.00 AM LADIES BOWLS RESUME

23 Wed 12.30 PM MENS PAIRS SPONSOR : Village at Coorparoo

24 Thurs 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR : Renaissance Retirement Living

27 Sun 9.00 AM REPATRIATION SOCIAL BOWLS CLUB AGM & BOWLS

30 Wed 12.30 PM MENS PAIRS SPONSOR : Cruiseabout Upper Mt Gravatt

31 Thurs 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR : Sleepys, The Mattress Experts

Feb. 05 Tue 6.30 PM CORPORATE BOWLS BEGIN (8 WEEKS)

06 Wed 12.00 PM PATRON’S DAY

06 Wed 1.00 PM MEN’S PAIRS SPONSOR: Peter Donovan

07 Thu 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR: Cruiseabout Upper Mt Gravatt

12 Tue 9.00 AM LADIES FRIENDSHIP DAY SPONSOR: Renaissance Retirement Living

13 Wed 12.30 PM MEN’S PAIRS SPONSOR: Metropolitan Funerals

14 Thurs. 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR: MyCare Physiotherapy

15 Fri 9.00 AM RETIREMENT VILLAGE DAY SPONSOR : Ian Walker MP

20 Wed 12.30 PM MEN’S PAIRS SPONSOR: Westpac Bank Mt Gravatt

21 Thu 12.30 AM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR: Ross Vasta MP

22 Fri. 9.00 AM LADIES FINANCIAL DAY SPONSOR: Anton Brown Funerals

24 Sun 9.30 AM CUSTOMS SOCIAL BOWLS CLUB – BOWLS & LUNCH

27 Wed 12.30 PM MENS PAIRS SPONSOR: Renaissance Retirement Living

28 Thu 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR : Village at Coorparoo

March 01 Fri 9.30 AM REPATRIATION SOCIAL BOWLS CLUB Vs RSL SOCIAL BOWLS CLUB

03 Sun 11.00 AM POLICE PRESIDENTS DAY

06 Wed 12.30 PM MEN’S PAIRS SPONSOR: Bendigo Bank

07 Thurs. 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR: Elements Third Age Living

13 Wed 12.30 PM MENS PAIRS SPONSOR: MyCare Physiotherapy

14 Thurs 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR: White Lady Funerals

17 Sun 9.00 AM MT GRAVATT BOWLS CLUB HALF YEARLY MEETING

20 Wed 12.30 PM MENS PAIRS SPONSOR: Fred Fern Bowls Centre

21 Thurs 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR: Malouf Group Pharmacy

22 Fri 9.00 AM LADIES FINANCIAL DAY SPONSOR: The Village at Coorparoo

26 Tue 6.30 PM CORPORATE BOWLS CONCLUDE

27 Wed 12.30 PM MEN’S PAIRS SPONSOR: Upper Mt Gravatt Dental Centre

28 Thu 12.30 PM MIXED TRIPLES SPONSOR: Renaissance Retirement Living

29 Fri GOOD FRIDAY

31 Sun EASTER SUNDAY