Hunter Chapter Xmas Party

08 December 2016 / Story by Jonathon Davies, Photos by Grant Webber

Now lets face it the Hunter members know how to socialise and so for this event no run would be necessary - just a funky Christmas hat, a witty shirt or perhaps a Christmas wreath. Even shoes where optional for some of the day.
A very well planned event was put together at Boolaroo Bowling Club orchestrated by Elaine & David Gazzard with some help from the Christmas elves.

With any Christmas event it gives us a perfect opportunity to thank all the volunteers from the club for the hard work they put in every year and to do this Josh & Lindsay started our day off with the presentations to acknowledge everyones hard work in 2016. We also congratulated Bob Pimm for obtaining his 10 year, Helen Green & Grant Webber and John & Gaye Morgan for obtaining their 5 year Tenure awards.

Of course its not a 2016 Hunter event without a silly hat and this was no exception leaving the judges no option but to award two prizes. The first was Diann Miller for modelling a very festive attire of a vibrant red Christmas shirt adorned with a silver motifs accessorised with a glorious on high tie, a red velvet hat that would have even the big man himself envious and topped off with the most divine elf shoes. The second award was for Yasmin Allen for her wonderfully sweet Christmas top hat that not only looked sweet but also tasted just as good, and a very elfish green top.

After the end of the presentations it was time to test our skills on the green for the first of our barefoot bowls comps. For this first game we all had to collect a bowl and roll with skill towards the spider at the far end of the green. Now I would like to say that everyone was able to put their bowl very close to the spider but no this was not the case. However by fluke or by skill some did end up in the same postcode, and it was confirmed that Helen Mayo won this first game.

The hot sun beaming down on us and with the smell of the bbq becoming more prominent it meant only one thing - it was lunchtime and what a great feast. Best of all it was all cooked and prepared by the staff at the bowling club.
With full bellies it was time for the second of the barefoot bowls comps. It must be said that by this stage it was very hot so not many bare feet were left. But the green was about to get even hotter as the fierce competition started up. With 6 lanes of 4 to a group the match began.

Bowlers each had two bowls per innings and 10 innings to show off their skills. The scoring was simple: the three closest bowls got 3, 2 or 1 points respectively and each persons score was added up to find a finalist from each group for the grand final. Many people found that the bowls didn't exactly go where you intended. Some in fact found it rather difficult to keep to their own green. But with much laughter and competitiveness, six finalists where eventually named and the finals could begin.

With a hush the first bowls where sent down the green with the usual outcome. Then Bruce played the bowl perfectly as it rested against the jack. Now the competition was getting heated. No-one could possibly get any closer and it looked as if Bruce had it in the bag - that is until Mary sent her game changer bowl down the green taking Bruce’s along with it. Now it was anyones game again. A few more rolls and we finally had a victor with George Boyko taking the prize for this match and along with it the bragging rights for years to come.

This meant that it was time for afternoon tea of homemade sweets and a little more socialising before everyone made their departures and said their good byes.

All in all a very successful event with many great memories. Well done to all that made the day such a success.

More of Grants photos: HERE

Tenure award recipients: