General News
19 October, 2022
Community mourns
THE Terang and district community is in mourning following the recent passing of popular local bowler, Margaret Sumner OAM.
THE Terang and district community is in mourning following the recent passing of popular local bowler, Margaret Sumner OAM.
Margaret, who was widely known and greatly admired across the western district both on and off the greens, passed away at South West Healthcare (SWH), Warrnambool, last Sunday at the age of 82 surrounded by family.
Margaret was the daughter of the late Kate and Bill Terrington, wife of the late Allan Sumner and sister to the late Marion and Bill Carey, Shirley and Ian Brown, Maureen and Jim O’Donohue, Michael and Barb Terrington, Kevin and Julie Terrington and families.
Shirley and Ian described Margaret as a “fun loving character who lived for her bowls, family and friends.”
“We looked at the Bowls Victoria facebook page this morning (Wednesday) and there were already more than 300 condolences messages from all over Australia,” Ian said.
“That reflects the high regard she was held in by so many people, which is a wonderful tribute to the woman she was.
“She and her late husband Allan owned and ran the Garvoc Hotel for a few years from 1966 before moving to Laang and then later to Terang.
“Margaret spent many wonderful years in Terang and with her beloved bowls club. We would like to thank everyone who has sent condolence messages, along with the wonderful staff at SWH in Warrnambool for their care and attention; they were lovely and we truly can’t thank them enough.”
While bowls kept her occupied for a majority of the year, Margaret was also a fond record keeper and was the “go-to woman” in relation to her family tree.
“If ever we wanted to know anything about our family, whether someone was related and who to, we went straight to Margaret,” Shirley said.
“She was an encyclopedia of knowledge in so many different ways. We have many fond memories to hold on to; Terang was always home for Margaret and she certainly knew how to have a chat, a laugh and connect with people.
“Margaret’s nephew is a horse trainer down Mornington way and she and her good friend Pat were known to have a few bets – and they also enjoy scooting town on their gophers.”
Margaret’s love of bowls – and her ability to play the sport – is widely known.
She was presented with an OAM in 2009 for her service to lawn bowls.
Having represented her state and her country multiple times, including competing in the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada and winning silver at the 1998 games in Kuala Lumpur, her skill on the green was second to none.
Margaret was a familiar face around the district’s bowling greens – and none more so than at her home club, Terang.
Speaking with a Western District Newspapers journalist in May last year, Margaret was quoted as saying Terang was very much her “home.”
“It’s home Terang – I don’t like those who move around a lot, I think if you’re at a club you help them and dedicate yourself to it and do whatever you can for it,” she said.
“It’s been very good to me so why would I leave?”
A life member of the Terang club, Margaret proudly represented the club since 1979.
Paying tribute to their long-time member and friend, Terang Bowling Club assistant secretary Graeme Dolling said Margaret was a much-loved champion, friend and dedicated life member who would be greatly missed.
“Margaret was a stalwart of our club over many years and she will be greatly missed by so many,” Graeme said.
Graeme said Margaret was not only a keen bowler, she was also a hard worker who contributed greatly both on and off the green.
“She had a keen eye for good bowls and was always willing to mentor new bowlers and support other team members,” Graeme said.
“Today (Tuesday) we held our midweek pennant here and before the start of play we observed a minute’s silence and held a short acknowledgement of her passing; we will also do this on the weekend.
“She was a very bright, bubbly, lively person to have around the club and we extend our deepest sympathies to Margaret’s family.”