BERYL & THEO CROWLEY MEMORIAL DAY – 2022

The weather gods were smiling at Pakenham Bowls Club last Sunday, blessing us with mild conditions and clear blue skies as players gathered from near and far to commemorate and celebrate the wonderful contribution Theo and Beryl Crowley made to the club over many years. They were both life members, as is their son Gary (Crow) a long time servant of the club who carries on the family tradition.

The greens were a sea of colour with a sizeable representation from Pakenham as well as bowlers from Cardinia Waters, Rosedale, Drouin, Garfield, Koo Wee Rup, Warragul, Inverloch, Brighton and Brunswick and as usual, a strong contingent from Port Welshpool, in recognition of the relationship created between the two clubs when Gary’s brother Geoff (now deceased unfortunately) established an outpost of Clan Crowley in that town and later became a life member of its bowls club – and of course Peter Jonas, Gary’s nephew and Theo and Beryl’s grandson, came up from Trafalgar.

There were no sheep stations on offer and with the emphasis being on fun, nobody took the day too seriously, although “Stormin” Norm Box was spotted doing some pretty earnest measuring at one stage. However, as with all tournaments there must be winners and there seemed to be an awful lot of them with prizes for outright first, second and third as well as best first, second and third game winners (not collecting a major prize).

The teams from Port Welshpool did not go home empty handed as Stephen Young, Marg McDonald, Stephen Green and Matt Gallagher took the money for the best first game win, while Keith Lewis, Ray Naylor, Jill Naylor (all Cardinia Waters) and Ian Kitt (Pakenham) had the best second game and Peter Ellis (now Warragul) Norm Box, Allister Stewart and Val Moore (Pakenham) collected the best first game prize (maybe that measuring paid off).

Third place overall went to last year’s winners, the “Parks & Gardens” composite Inverloch/Brunswick team of Frank Gardiner, Wayne Parks, Janis Parks and Bernie Gardiner. Second prize was taken by the Pakenham triple of Paul Currie, Kevin Holley and Graeme Epps while the overall winners were the “Four Musketeers” from Pakenham – a very proud Terry “Tmac” McRedmond, Vince Bevilacqua, Ken Clifton and Luis Aguilar.

Gary Crowley acted as MC for the day, ably assisted by Peter Jonas – much to everyone’s relief, the speeches were brief and humorous and allowed the players to concentrate on the splendid afternoon tea prepared by Faye, Lesley and Molly (all in accordance with Covid requirements). It was pleasing to see that members of the Crowley family who are not bowlers also attended for the presentations and a family get together.

Well done to tournament director, TMac (seen tearing out what was left of his hair at one stage and muttering something about “herding cats”) and the other volunteers who put in on a successful day. Hopefully every one will turn up again next year to enjoy an event which has now been held for over 30 years.

Des Leigh (Grizzly)