She came in from beyond the radar to take out the Overall Player of the Year award at the Bowls Far North Centre's prestigious annual prizegiving in Kaikohe last month.
Even more remarkable is that Dorothy Hardy is regarded as a 'junior', which in bowling circles means she has only been playing the lawn bowls version of the game for five years or less. However, the sheer number of titles won during the 2011/ 2012 summer gave centre selectors little choice but to give her the marquee award.
"Played a lot of games, won a lot of tournaments," Hardy said in matter-of-fact fashion. "I played 29 weeks of the season, played 30 open tournaments, six domestic tournaments, and 15 representative games."
Highlights from a comprehensive list included Centre singles and triples title (with Jill Phillips and Jean Huxtable), and the BNZ National Club triples championships for Zone 1 (also with Phillips and Huxtable) and was also named as Centre woman player of the year. Domestic victories came in the Church Road junior singles, pairs, fours and Wilding Pairs, and club spirit award, along with the Kaitaia Combined BC's women's player of the year title. As well, Hardy received several administration awards - both domestic and regional - for her efforts in fundraising towards the installation of new artificial green at Church Road last year.
Dorothy and Brian Hardy left Otahuhu five years ago to retire in the Far North where a mutual acquaintance encouraged them to take up bowls at a club on the same road where they lived, Church Road.
"I was fairly casual with bowls to start with but Sylvia Roberts talked me into taking it seriously as she had found that her cancer had returned. She told me, 'You don't always have all the time in the world'."
Hardy herself was later diagnosed with cancer at the end of 2009 and found her new bowling acquaintances, particularly the late Roberts, a huge encouragement. She went through radical radiation treatment in Auckland, her last being in 2010 and described herself as currently in remission. Looking back on her recent success, Hardy felt she could allow herself a pat on the back.
"There are many wonderful stories of people who have had serious health issues and are able to return to the sport they love and still be very successful.
"This has been one of those 'annus wonderfulus' for Brian and myself. Quite an achievement considering I had cancer two and half years ago. Could say I came back with a vengeance. It shows bowls can improve your health!"