The centre prize-giving for last season took place two weeks ago. It coincided with the Poverty Bay Bowling Club's centenary celebrations.
Bowls New Zealand president Mark O'Connor was on hand to present the certificates, bars and trophies to the recipients.
Gisborne Bowling Club's Dayvinia Mills won the trophy for senior women. It was the second time she had won it.
The trophy for men's senior player was again split among four players — Gisborne's Dave Beattie and Malcolm Trowell and Tolaga Bay's Mick Maunder and Vern Marshall.
Joan Gledhill, of the Poverty Bay club, won the junior women's award and Andrew Ball, also of Poverty Bay, won the junior men's.
During the period affected by Covid-19, Bowls Gisborne-East Coast lost some invaluable members whose contribution to the sport and their clubs will long be remembered.
The part that Kahutia life member Richard (Dick) Jones played in getting the braces up for the shade cloth around the greens was one example of the many tasks he performed.
Tolaga Bay past president and Kahutia member Ray Evans was well respected in the game and outside of it.
Brian (Spooky) Malone was Te Karaka greenkeeper for many years.
Barrie Allen, of Kahutia, was a representative for many years. He held 42 centre titles, a club national triples title and many club titles. He was involved in the painting of the club from the 1990s, was a committee member for years and lived for the game. Barrie and his wife Millie were also the designers of the club's latest uniform.
Mike Chisholm was an avid bowler who represented club and centre. He was active in coaching and in umpiring tournaments. Mike and his wife Fay put a lot of time into coaching for the blind. Mike coached Nola Burgess, who won many national singles titles. Mike was one of the strongest men I have come across, and did not let his illness hold him back.
May they all rest in peace.
