By Mikayla van Loon
For the second year, the bowls community has made a substantial difference in helping supply the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) with life saving equipment.
Hosting the John Snell Triples Championship on Sunday 18 August, Lilydale Bowls Club welcomed 30 teams from various clubs around the state, social barefoot bowlers and community members for a day of fundraising.
Supporting the work of the Templestowe/Yarra Valley Auxiliary, a dedicated group of women who use their craft skills to raise money for the Hospital on a regular basis, the partnership only grew this year, along with the event size.
Event organisers Greg and Sue Ingham said the widespread support of the event was incredible.
“We had people travel from Ballarat, some from Traralgon and some from the other side of the city, so it was really well supported,” Mr Ingham said.
“We were really well supported by the community and businesses with sponsorship and donations to raffles. We ended up having about 90 prizes.
“We had silent auctions going, we had barbecues going all day, so people came and bowled on the green for barefoot bowls and in the wash up we probably raised, although I’m still putting the figures together, around $20,000.”
This is an increase on last year’s final figure of $14,000.
Templestowe/Yarra Valley Auxiliary president Barb Nicoll said the funds will go directly towards the purchasing of an Intracranial Pressure Monitor valued at $30,000.
“We are always looking for ways to fundraise. Sue Ingham joined our Auxiliary two years ago and through the drive and enthusiasm of her family the bowling tournament to raise money for the RCH was born. It has been an amazing success and continues to grow,” Ms Nicoll said.
Mr Ingham said as the organisers but also from a club perspective, “what we’ve tried to do is bring the bowls community together”.
The triples championship invites mixed teams of three to compete for the title, which was presented by Commonwealth silver medalist John Snell himself.
And while charity fundraisers are not new to Lilydale Bowls Club, Mr Ingham said by including a tournament, it brings many more players and clubs together for a good cause.
“The generosity of the winners, some of them donated the prize money back, not all the prize money came back but a good proportion did,” Mr Ingham said.
“The local businesses were very generous with what they did. The support for the raffles and things was amazing. People putting their hands in their pockets on the day was probably beyond our expectations.”
The competition winners were in first place Luke Lamont, CJ Snary, and Jessica Wallace (Lilydale), in second Dylan Fisher, Matthew O’Brien, and Kirstin Day (Moonee Valley), third Troy Kreyan, James Gonera, and Irene Attard (Footscray / Yarraville) and in fourth place Josh Sanders, Rod Nicholson, and Olivia Slade (Lilydale).
The Yarra Valley based auxiliary group is around one of 40 that supports the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation by raising money.
“Templestowe Auxiliary started 85 years ago with an orchardist from the area forming an Auxiliary to help sick kids by transporting fruit to the hospital. Two years ago we changed our name to Templestowe/Yarra Valley as we wanted to hold onto our tradition but acknowledge where most of our members live,” Ms Nicoll said.
“We have flourished and now hold stalls selling our handmade goods to raise money.
“Over the 85 years we have raised in excess of $1.4 million which has purchased equipment and paid for research projects. Every cent we earn goes directly to the hospital. Our members pay for their materials and donate the items.
“We currently have 23 members and are growing, recruiting many new members from Lilydale Marketplace where we hold a stall the second Friday of each month.”
Templestowe/Yarra Valley Auxiliary has another special event, a High Tea at Chirnside Country Club on 10 November starting at 1.30pm. For details email leonandbarb@gmail.com
The John Snell Triples Championship is scheduled to return for 2025.
