MOONEY PEARLS UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2024

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

Another quarter of the year has flown by. Only 15 Mondays until Christmas. Sorry about that!

SUNSET BOWLS

We bowled on through the sunset and into the night for the most part of winter, all in preparation for the upcoming in-house Mixed Pairs competition.

MIXED PAIRS

The Mixed Pairs finally kicked off at the end of June as holidays, availability and above all, in-clement weather had postponed the original start date. But the weekend was not without may-hem both on the green and off, with rainbows and showers, sunshine and breezes. When it came to the semi finals, the battle between The Cook & The Chef -v- The Greek Goddesses (aka Sandy & Hot Shot Scott -v- Sandra & Anastasia) was a neck and neck battle and an edge-of-your-seat ride with just a 1 point lead to the Greek Goddesses to take the game. We understand Nine’s Wide World of Sports will be televising their next head to head match!

A final of Olympic proportions was held between The Greek Goddesses -v- The Outlaws (a couple of Mudcrabs named Glen & Dave). It was a huge sell out with the grandstand being full to the brim, but the mosh-pit - where all the best sledging takes place - was definitely the place to be. The wind was of epic proportions that day which added to the skill of getting a bowl from one end of the green to the other, and in the end the Mudcrabs were jubilant winners. They won’t be next year!

MIXED KINGFISHER CARNIVAL

Umina Beach Bowling Club hosted their annual Kingfisher Carnival invitational and a group of Pearls and Mudcrabs fielded 2 mixed teams. Unfortunately we didn’t rate anywhere in the prize money, (not even the booby prize), but the opportunity to extend our skills and play on some very different grass was bloody frustrating. We can only say we have the best green that we’ve played on so far! A big shout out to the club for letting us use the club bus to get us to and from the event, and to Sandy for doing Dry July and being our chauffeur.

HOUSEKEEPING AND FORMALITIES

That time of year came around again with another AGM being done and dusted. Held outdoors, it was a relaxed and informal meeting prior to our day on the green. Anastasia is still our Madam President, with Sandra Oakes stepping up to manage our millions $$$ (LOL). Sue Hanson has adopted the position of Webmaster and the role of Secretary is currently vacant (but one member has a target on her back), Jennie Sparke is Bowls Coordinator and, with fees going up and our coffers running low, Sandy Dimmock has again adopted Fundraising - a position dropped during Covid. She has a sub-committee of Angela Chapman and Nerida Greig. Yours truly is again Pub-licity Officer.

AND FINALLY....

There are a few more events on the horizon:

1. Brooklyn RSL Sub-Branch - a rematch of what was a sensational Sunday coming up at the end of September.

2. We have two newbies (Angela and Nerida) representing the Pearls at the State Rookies Champ- ionships being held at Raymond Terrace over 12-13 October. They will be proudly supported by a Pearls cheer squad. There are also 2 Mudcrabs - The Tee Pees - (aka Tim and Pete) entered. It should be a fun weekend!

3. All being well and the weather gods shine upon us, we’ll be hosting the Wyong Bay Bowlers on the day before the green goes out - that is, the last Sunday in October. It should be a fun day.