Sport
24 September, 2025
Successful year for indoor bowlers
A CROWD of more than 50 players and supporters enjoyed a special presentation night for the Heytesbury Indoor Bias Bowls Association.
The night, which was held at the Cobden Golf Club, included the induction of two new life members to Heytesbury, Pam and Max Wines.
The association wouldn’t be what it is today without their hard work and dedication to the sport of indoor bowls.
Pam and Max are considered the ‘driving force’ behind Heytesbury; setting up for events, tournaments, finals and championships in Timboon, Cobden, Camperdown and anywhere in between.
In a little over a decade, Pam and Max have stepped in as secretary and president (among other roles) and have even done state and national stints along the way.
Pam served at state level as either a selector and/or on the board during this time and Max served at state level as president and national president twice in the last five years, with Max’s most recent being this year at Warrnambool at the 55th nationals.
Pam’s playing record over the past three decades is also extremely impressive.
At association level, Pam has been crowned Ladies Champion of Champions 10 times and runner-up five times; Pairs Champion five times and runner-up four times; Fours Champion five times and runner-up four times; division one and two premiers nine times and runners-up six times.
At Ballarat Intergroup, Pam was the mixed pairs champion twice (with the most recent title being this year) and runner-up once; ladies’pairs champion four times and runner-up three times; ladies’triples champion twice and runner-up once.
At state level, the titles keep coming – ladies’ Champion of Champions Champion five times and runner-up once; ladies’ singles runner-up once; ladies’ pairs champion 10 times and runner-up once; ladies’ triples champion four times and runner-up once; ladies’ fours runner-up twice; mixed pairs champion twice and runner-up twice again and mixed fours champion once and runner-up twice.
This adds up to a staggering 22 state titles in just over 30 years.
And when she stepped up to national level, she also celebrated being ladies’ pairs gold medal winner four times, silver three times and bronze once, along with a gold and a silver in the ladies’ triples.
Max’s playing accomplishments aren’t as long as Pam’s but as recently as this year, was runner-up with Ken Buck in the pairs championship.
Most if not every time, you would find Max either cooking a barbecue, hot plate or being head chef at an event, lending a hand wherever he could.
At the most recent nationals, Max was instrumental in setting up a hospitality marquee at the back of the netball stadium, complete with hot plates, bain-maries, an espresso coffee machine and all the sports drinks anyone could ever want.
And that sums up Max’s valuable contribution to not only the Heytesbury Association but also higher levels.
Max is there making sure everyone is fed, an event is running well and his introductory event speeches are legendary – short, sharp and sweet.
Pam and Max received their life memberships from recent inductee, Peter Baker and for the first time in a long time, Max was actually speechless.
The pair thanked everyone who had helped them along the way and said they would continue to be a big part of Heytesbury for some time.
The winners and runners-up were presented with their trophies for season 2025 of the Heytesbury Indoor Bowls competition:
Division one premiers, Mepunga 1: George Draffen (s), Ian Swain, Helen Harney and Rob McCrabb; runners-up, Glenormiston 1: Allen Armistead (s), Ash Quick, Danielle Gilchrist and, Scott Pierce.
Division two premiers, Mepunga 3: Peter Baker (s), Frank Harney, Clarrie Matthews and Yvonne Lenehan; runners-up, Mepunga 2: Barb Draffen (s), Doug Byron, Les Lenehan, Karl Keegan.
Division three premiers, Mepunga 4: Gerald Madden (s), Sally Madden, Gayle McPherson and Julie Shiels; runners-up, Cobden 3: Colin Spokes (s), Glenn Cain, Kath Spokes and Doreen Coverdale.
Drawn pairs champions, Mepunga: Frank Harney (s) and Gayle McPherson; runners-up, Laang-Ecklin: Ken Buck (s) and Max Wines.
Drawn fours champions, Timboon Lawn: Noah Mungean (s), Pam Dwyer, Rita Mungean (sub) and Jean Clover (sub); runners-up, Mepunga: Ian Swain (s), Gerald Madden, Gayle McPherson and James Byron.
Congratulations also to Pam Dwyer and Lara Mungean (ladies’ triples bronze medal) and to Allen Armistead for Victoria’s only gold medal in the mixed fours at the most recent Nationals.
Congratulations also to the players who won state titles this year:
Mixed fours champions - Noah, Brett, Cherie and Lara Mungean;
Men’s fours champions - Allen Armistead, Peter Baker, Peter Neal and Scott Pierce.
Ladies’ Champion of Champions - Pam Dwyer.
Brett Mungean was also congratulated for his trial nomination to the Australian side for the Trans-Tasman Series next year.
Many thanks to all those who helped with set up/pack down at events, helped ensure players and spectators were well fed, provided equipment for championships and helped with scoring.
The work of all volunteers is much appreciated.
Read More: local