Loving Life: All smiles as bowls tournament rolls on after hiatus

It was game on when more than 50 elders and traditional owners from around the region took to the green in teams of four for the Loving Life Lawn Bowls Tournament. See the photos.

Aunty Tijila Turner at the IWC Loving Life Lawn Bowls Tournament. Photo Solana Photography.

There were cheers for the victors and smiles all round as more than 50 Elders and Traditional Owners from across Bundaberg and North Burnett came together for the 2021 Loving Life Lawn Bowls Tournament.

The event, launched in 2018 but paused during 2020 due to COVID, was delivered by Aboriginal community-controlled health and wellbeing organisation IWC.

Jenny Springham of IWC’s Communities team, co-organised the event with IWC North Burnett Assistant Manager Cynthia George.

Uncle Ronnie Bligh was on the winning team. Photo: Solana Photography.

“We brought Elders and Traditional Owners together from across North Burnett, and also from Bundaberg which is two hours’ drive from Gayndah, and they all shared a fun and exciting day at Gayndah Bowls Club,” Ms Springham said.

“We call it the Loving Life tournament because it energises everyone who takes part, and is suitable for people of all fitness levels.

“It also brings together Indigenous Elders and Traditional Owners from the two regions who find it hard to get together due to the distances involved.”

The event, held on 28 April, was supported by funding from the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DATSIP).

Aunty Jenny Springham got into the day's theme of 'Hawaii'. Photo Solana Photography.

After a Welcome to Country by Traditional Owner Clem Shadford of the Wakka Wakka people, it was game on and the participants took the green in teams of four.

A dress-up theme of “Hawaii” added to the smiles and laughter, and reflected the gloriously sunny day.

“While the victors who took home the trophy in this round was North Burnett, everyone was a winner. It provided a real boost to the community spirit after the tough times we have all been challenged by during COVID,” Ms George said.

“It didn’t matter whether the Elders and Traditional Owners involved were playing or cheering on the teams from the sidelines – what a great way to bring people together and turn on the smiles.”

Uncle Kit George takes to the greens. Photo Simon Young.

After the match, lunch was served by the Bowls Club and a celebratory cake cut before the teams headed for home.

“The trip out to Gayndah meant we also were able to offer our Elders and Traditional Owners a quick tour of the IWC North Burnett Health and Wellbeing Community Centre which is under construction,” Ms Springham said.

The $2.43 million construction project will bring a purpose-built facility to the region, and has been partially funded by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation. It is due to open this year.

IWC is non-government, Aboriginal community-controlled and a registered charity, committed to Reconciliation in Action and delivering services and programs to all in the communities it serves, Indigenous and non-Indigenous.

Ms Springham said everyone was looking forward to the next tournament.