General News
2 June, 2021
Long-time treasurer receives life membership
HEATHER Lydford’s long-term involvement in local bowls was recognised with life membership of the Corangamite Bowls Division recently.
HEATHER Lydford’s long-term involvement in local bowls was recognised with life membership of the Corangamite Bowls Division recently.
The Cobden bowler received one of Corangamite’s highest personal honours having spent the best part of 25 years administering the game of bowls at club, division and regional level.
Lydford said she was “thrilled” to receive life membership, adding bowls had been a significant part of her life.
She said it had provided her with many friendships and plenty of camaraderie, while it also gave her comfort in the toughest of times.
“I knew it was going to happen but it was still nice to receive it,” Lydford said.
“I was a bit chuffed. It means a lot to be recognized in the long run.
“It’s been a pleasure to do. I lost my husband in 2012 and that was a tough 12 months and if I didn’t have bowls I don’t know how I would have coped.
“Since it became known that I got life membership I’ve had plenty of calls and other things. There was six of us that got them and everybody was worthy of what they got.”
Lydford first got involved with bowls in 1996 and has not looked back since.
“I’ve been involved in bowls since 1996, so 25 years and I’ve been in the office in some shape or form at club, division or region level in that time,” she said.
“I was the treasurer for the club straight off but I’ve held that position on and off (over the years).
“There was probably a break of four to five years where I wasn’t involved (administratively at the club) and the division I’ve always been involved at that sort of level going back to before amalgamation which was 2000.
“It used to be the Camperdown District Ladies Bowling Association and then we amalgamated in 2010 with the men and I went on with that (treasurer) once we amalgamated (as Corangamite Bowls Division).”
Lydford, said with Bowls Victoria changing the governance model of the divisions and regions, it was now time for her to stand aside from her treasury and secretarial responsibilities.
“The division as such is now finished – it was agreed we’d be governed by the region rather than the division but each division is still responsible for its own playing area so pennants and that won’t change,” she said.
“I’m actually the region secretary at the moment and we have a meeting in the third week of June and I’ll be standing down from that there.
“I’ll still be involved at club level, I’m just stepping down from the region because I’m getting older.”
Lydford said she hoped some of the sport’s younger generation started to play a key role in the management of bowls locally.
She said fresh ideas and initiatives were needed to continue growing the game that her generation has helped established in the Corangamite area.
“I think it’s about time some of the younger ones stood up and that is starting to happen which is good,” Lydford said.
“But it’s like any sport, we’re having trouble getting volunteers and things but that’s life nowadays.
“I’ll always be there to help out though - if someone needs a hand, I’ll get in and help out.
“I’ve just had my time and they now need new ideas and that to go forward.”
Max Johnson (Camperdown Golf), Ron Simcox (Camperdown), David Gibson (Lismore) and Barbara Hallyburton (Colac) were others to receive life memberships.