MURRAY MALLEE BOWLS REGION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD 18th May 2025
AT 1.30PM AT TOOLEYBUC SPORTING CLUB.

Welcome. President Tony Cantwell welcomed everyone and declared the meeting open.

Present. David & Lucy Thomas Moulamein, Belinda Chong Moulamein, , Barb Hildebrand & Stephen Clark Cohuna, Dave Griffin, Garry & Cecilia McCaig Murray Downs, Grant Davies & Danny Kelly Lake Boga, Norm & Marg Smith Racecourse, Gary Borg, Judy McKerrow, Howard McClelland, Jim & Sonia McLeish Kerang Golf, John Louttit & Adam Louttit Sea Lake, Jennifer Blainey & Pauline Bragg Birchip, Ron Boyd, Brian Horton & Dianne Smith Workers, Ray & Judy Wilson Murray Downs, Lisa Critten Barham, Wayne Cook & Amber Wood Quambatook, Karen Crook Ouyen, Susan Nichols & Dianne Pumpa Wentworth, Dannielle Adams Tooleybuc, Bill Harben & Mark Scott, Balranald, Tony Cantwell Leitchville, Marie Scott Pyramid Hill and Josh Thornton.

Apologies. Sue Kelly, John Keely, Yvonne Eckhardt, Matt O’Bree, Roma Opie, Jean Fairchild, Anne Kellett, Kerang, Matt Coates moved Lucy Thomas, “that apologies be accepted”, sec Gary Borg Carried

Minutes. The minutes of the MMBR AGM held on May 19th, 2024, were confirmed, Moved Garry McCaig, sec Ron Boyd Carried.

Business Arising:

Finance. Financial report was handed out, with a bank balance as of 30th April 2025, $41000.06 and Term Deposit $31296.81. A question was asked about the amount of money we have. This money is from all playing areas having to close their accounts and also grants and sponsorships that Josh has been able to secure. Marie Scott moved the financial report seconded Jennifer Blainey CARRIED



Presidents Report:

MURRAY MALLEE BOWLS REGION
President’s Report 2024/25
Before I go into this years summary I would like to reflect back to when I was appointed as Chairperson of the Murray Mallee Bowls Region Board. I distinctly remember at the then AGM being nominated by Barb Beckwith who stated that the position would be easy. Well Barb I have a story to tell. Not long after accepting the position we received information from Bowls Victoria that there would be massive changes to our governance across all of the regions. This meant we needed to convene meetings of our four playing Divisions and implement the proposed new guidelines. Not totally accepted by all but it had to be because Bowls Victoria had the idea that we were running out of volunteers. Eventually we got it sorted. Everything seemed to settle down after that until rumours of a serious pandemic was spreading throughout the world. As most of the bowlers in our region are in the high-risk age group our region altered how and when we played our bowls and this came on top of the restrictions imposed by the State Government and Bowls Victoria. We managed to complete a modified season without too much trouble although some members felt what we did was over the top. At all times our members health was first considered, and this still applies even today with the heat rule etc.
Not long after the Covid 19 pandemic mother nature decided to water her land causing substantial floods within our region. The Northern District Playing Area being affected so much so that travel between towns was not possible due to roads being either totally flooded or unsuitable to travel on. Once again pennant was severely impacted and alterations to games and venues were made to accommodate the inconvenience. I would like to point out that it was because of our resilient volunteers that they were able to work through whatever was put before them. So Barb you were right “it was easy “
Now to the 2024/25 season.
This season was the most exciting of all. With a lot of hard work by Josh Thornton a new Division 1 was introduced with initially 6 clubs from the Northern District and Murray Valley Playing Areas competing. Those competing greatly accepted the challenges that it bought and from all reports received a total endorsement from the players. Initially in its trial period we can now report that a further two clubs will join to complete an 8-team division. A credit to all those involved. Congratulations to the Kerang Bowls Club for being the first premiership club in the newly formed Northern Valley Playing Area Division 1.
Throughout the season playing area committees worked hard to fit in the required championship, state events, BV events and local club events Not an easy task but every year they seem to achieve the impossible
Congratulations to Birchip {weekend pennant) and Murray Downs {midweek pennant} on winning the region pennant finals and going on to represent our Region
To all other individual winners in Champion of Champions and state events well done. Our representative side that went on to represent the region found the going tough against some very good competition. It makes it very hard when the selectors have limited opportunities to select a competitive team when bowlers are not available.
Lastly, I have to thank many people. On the base line a big thankyou to green keepers, and all the workers at the clubs, the admin at the clubs as they are the vital cog that keeps clubs in touch and up to date with the latest info. To the region selectors for your time and efforts. And to the umpire coordinators Yvonne and Chris.
To the retiring members of the board in Gary McCaig, Jean Fairchild and John Loutitt thank you for your vital contributions over your terms of service. To Josh Thornton for his continual advice and the work he does in helping clubs, committees and regions.
Lastly to Marie Scott who leaves nothing unturned. Her ability to solve problems, contact and inform people are second to none. Thank you for your time and assistance during my term.
To the incoming Chair and board members I wish you well and remember that what you do is going to set up the future .

Yours in Bowls
Tony Cantwell
Outgoing MMBR Chair

Moved Ron Boyd, sec Garry McCaig, “that all Reports be accepted”. Carried.

Bowlers have supported the Murray Mallee Region very well by taking the next step from being winners at the Divisional level to compete in regional events.

Winners at Regional level was.
Event Ladies Men’s
Singles AlannahTaylor Glenn Scott
Pairs Kerryn Evans and Jess Dehne Glen McIntosh, Norm Smith
Triples K. Crook, S. Kelly, J. Vallance D. Presley-Barwick, C. Bettess, I. Bettess
Fours K. Gardner, D. Weaver, K. Evans, J. Dehne G. McCaig, J. Caldwell, B. Lehmann, J. Thornton
Champion of Champions Roma Opie Brody Harker
Mixed Pairs Kevin Donellon, Jen Blainey
60 & over Mixed Fours J. Lowerson, L. Millward, G. Storer, G. Lynch
60 & O Singles Judy Osborne N. Smith
60 & O Pairs G. Campbell, Y. Eckhardt R. O’Neill, C. Mitchell



Tony Cantwell declared all positions vacant for the election of the MMBR board

Election of Office Bearers.

These Board members will continue for their second year.
Gary Borg (ND), Sue Kelly (S), Lucy Thomas (MV), Lady (T),
President Ron Boyd nom by M. Rhoden, sec F Wilmann
Board Member Marie Scott nom by R. Opie, sec T. Cantwell
Board Member Brian Horton nom by M. Rhoden, sec Presley
Board Member Stuart Tompsett nom by W. King, sec G. McCaig
Board Member Kevin Reid

Tony Cantwell then thanked Jean Fairchild, John Louttit and Garry McCaig for their contributions to the MMBR over several years.

Selectors. To be appointed by the MMBR Board

Honorariums: 2025-2026 season.
Honorariums will be approved, by the Murray Mallee Region Board.

Region Umpire. Appointed by the MMBR Board.

Region. Levy/Fees. 2025-2026 to be approved by the MMBR Board

Ron Boyd thanked Tony Cantwell for his work in the position of President from 2020 -2024. A job well done.

Meeting closed 2pm

Next AGM May ?at Tooleybuc Sporting Club

Signed as an accurate account.

Ron Boyd
MMBR Chairperson,