Wasleys Bowls Club rises from ashes of Pinery fires to win club’s first-ever pennant

THE contrast could not have been starker, the emotion more different.

VICTORY IS SWEET: Jubilant Wasleys players after winning yesterday, back from left, Geoff Dawe, Robert Bowman, Greg Rigney, Sherri Olive, Dave Olive, Ben Bowman, John Bubner and, front from left, Wayne Grady, Doug McQuade, Tony Northcott, Brad McDougall and Allan Northcott. Picture: TAIT SCHMAAL

THE contrast could not have been starker, the emotion more different.

Five months after he stood in the charred ruins of the Wasleys Bowling Club amid the devastation of the Pinery fires, club secretary Brad McDougall stood proudly with his teammates, winners of the club’s first-ever pennant.

“It’s not just a win for Wasleys, it’s a win for all the clubs who helped us, a win for the sport of bowls as well as the community who gave us tremendous support,” he said. “We did it for them.”

The devastating toll of the Pinery fires has scarred lives forever.

Two people died in the blaze. Almost 90 homes were destroyed. Sheds, fencing, livestock were destroyed. And the bowls club was left a melting mess, the clubroom clock frozen in time at 2.18pm on November 25, as fire unleashed its evil wrath.

But yesterday, at the Balaklava Bowling Club, community spirit and a competitive edge reigned supreme, defeating Port Wakefield, 82-57 in the Wooroora Men’s Bowling Section final.

UPSET: Club president Barry McDougall, brother of Brad, with wife Bronwyn in the burnt-out clubrooms last year.

Mr McDougall, whose brother Barry is club president, said the tragedy of the fires had helped to unite the players.

“There are quite a few farmers who are part of the club who were heavily affected — two that lost everything,” he said.

“We’ve always looked out for each other, but this season really united us.”

A testament to the bonds which can be formed through sport, 70 clubs Australia-wide donated to help Wasleys get back on its feet, with close to $50,000 raised.

Demolition of the burnt-out clubrooms is set to start today, with construction to take place over the next 12 months.

Brad and Barry McDougall celebrate the win. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Wasleys members celebrated their win last night at a marquee set up next to the club’s old green.

“It’s going to be a big night,” Mr McDougall said.

“We’ve been using the local primary school as temporary club rooms, which has further strengthened our connection with the community.”

Wasleys team member Ben Bowman, 21, said the win felt “absolutely fantastic”.

“I was quite nervous this morning, it’s just great to come this far the season with a win,” he said.

After securing the win, the club members yelled “you bloody ripper” and sang their club song.

“Wasleys has been around since 1933 and we’ve never won a grand final, so this day has been over 80 years in the making,” Mr McDougall said.

The Wasleys division two team also made it to the grand final but lost.