Vale: Norma Massey OAM
Bowls Australia is saddened to hear of the recent passing of Hall of Fame member Norma Massey OAM. Norma was a member of the first Australian women’s team to play South Africa in a test match, in 1967, and would go on to don the green and gold uniform representing Australia on 101 occasions throughout an illustrious career. Norma’s distinguished international career spanned almost two decades and included contesting the Women’s World Bowls Championships in 1969, 1977 and 1985; where she finished on a high-note, claiming the world triples crown. On the national stage, Norma’s secured the nation’s most prestigious fours title in 1969 and the blue-ribbon singles silverware in 1973. At state level, Norma represented Victoria in state competitions for 34 years – 31 of which were consecutive. In 1992, the number one green at the Yarraville Footscray Bowling Club was named in her honour. Norma was acknowledged for her service to the sport of lawn bowls as a player at local, state, national and international level and through executive positions with bowling organisations, when she was award the Medal of the Order of Australia, in 2007. She further solidified her position as one of the sport’s preeminent players when she was inducted into Bowls Australia’s inaugural Hall of Fame in 2011, in the 1975-99 Athlete category. Bowls Australia would to express its sincere condolences to the Massey family.