Following Race 2 of the Gatorade & Active Feet Series on Sunday December 11 2011, 90+ Tri Alliance athletes, coaches, friends and family headed down to the Port Melbourne Bowling Club for a fun filled afternoon of lawn bowls, and Christmas Festivities.
After morning drizzle and heavy cloud cover, the afternoon sunshine arrived just in time for our festivities. And what a great day it was. With a gaurmet BBQ spread and an afternoon in the sun playing lawn bowls, it was always going to be a great day! Keep reading for those who had a few too many drinks and can’t quite piece together the afternoon….. 😉
The social committee consisting of Emma Nicholl, Dave Nealon, Jussie Mrshall-Owens, Wendy Wates, and Sonia Gregoul meet a few months ago to plan this years Christmas Party. With a great array of suggested options we settled on lawn bowls. Something for the kids to do, and something to keep everyone standing at the bar with two drinks in hand. Although some still managed to do this! 🙂 So a big thanks to the committee – everyone agrees it was a great day! (Apart from those stuck in bed Monday morning sporting a nasty hangover…)
It didn’t take long to establish who had played bowls before, who was honest enough to own up and who you didn’t want to play against. Word on the street is Mr Shotz himself Daryl was a handy bowler, although his young daughter Kate was the shining star much to his dismay. Dale Robsinson was also looking for her second medal of the day and she put in a handy performance on the green. Claire Furtyk (nee Gifford) who won the Barefoot Bowls ‘nearest to the pin competition’ and won herself a $50 voucher to the bowls club bar. A bonus for Claires hubby Jeremy – as Claire is pregnant and can’t drink so he had a great afternoon!! 🙂
It was also fantastic to see Anthony from CBD Cycles, his wife Jody and young Aris having a bowl with us, and Daryl and wife Steph (and their soon to be pro lawn bowls daughter Kate!) from Shotz Sports Nutrition. Thanks for soming along and enjoying the afternoon with us! 
A big highlight of the afternoon was the arrival of Santa! Who arrived on his bike after hyping up the kids while riding around the block. A definate favourite with the kids. Big thanks to “Stan-ta” who took the time out to visit us! 😉
Next on the agenda was the drawing of our raffle prizes, up for grabs was a Single Speed Commuter Bike thanks to CBD Cycles, Tri Alliance memberships and gift packs, Vouchers to the Elwood Butchers, Bottles of Wine, Christmas Hamper, Mystery Prizes plus loads more. Well done to Jason Nicholl (or was it Emma Nicholl?) who took out first prize and won the Single speed commuter bike from our fantastic partners CBD Cycles!
Thanks to everyone who supported the raffle and in doing so raised $1004 for the Elwood Lifesaving Club!
Well done and thanks to everyone who also donated to Paddy’s ‘Beard Shave’ and raising a further $223+ for the Elwood Lifesaving Club. To make a grand total of $1,227 to be donated to the Elwood Lifesaving Club. Tri Alliance will be presenting this week to the Club. We will keep you updated on what the Club decides to use these funds for – as they have a big Christmas list themselves!
Another highlight of the afternoon was the attention of two prominate Ex StKilda footballers (who will remain annonymous) and their small friend. These boys kept us entertained for the afternoon and somehow convinced us to sign 3 of us up as Port Melbourne Bowling Club Members so as the bar could stay open for longer. Sucked us in didn’t they! 🙂
But in all seriousness, the bowling club were fantastic in looking after us, and a great afternoon/evening! CLICK HERE to view our selection of pics from the afternoon.
Other noteable mentions from the day including…
- Next time someone has a wooden spoon make sure you keep one eye peeled!!
- When asked to ‘take one for the team’ – it can have more than one meaning…
- Getting a stamp for the sake of getting a stamp
- The impending fight (or was it wrestle-mania) between possibly one of the smallest males in our squad and the smallest person in the club. Pity neither had any say in it! 🙂
- Portable alcohol readers may not be entirely accurate. Or some of the boys were acting drunker than what they should have been!
- Learning how Tim & Nola got together proves for an interesting discussion over a drink.
- Any other noteable mentions?? Feel free to comment below – just keep it on the nice side…. 😉
Thanks to everyone who made the day a fun and enjoyable one and we look forward to our next big get-togethers including our post race celebrations after Race 6 in April, and the big one our End of Season Presentation Night which will be held in May next year. Stay tuned for details on these not to be missed social functions!!
