Deaf Bowlers Celebrate 50 Years!
The 50th Anniversary Celebration of Deaf Bowls WA was held on Saturday 29th November at Lake Monger Sports Club. Such is the dedication of our deaf bowlers the ceremony was held in the morning and current pennant players left to play their Saturday afternoon games!
Deaf Bowls WA (DBWA) President Harry Hughes welcomed everyone and gave a speech honouring our Deaf Bowlers and then had two distinct responsibilities: (1) Honoring two Life Members, and (2) Showcasing the DBWA 50th Anniversary and distributing a copy of a special 50th Anniversary book, along with a certificate to each current member. All special guests also received a copy of the book.
(1) George Ravlich, also known as John Ravlich, was the first deaf player given a Life Membership to DBWA. George has been a member of DBWA for 56 years! The next Life Membership was given to Gregory Strachan – another dedicated DBWA member of 52 years!
L-R: Gregory Strachan (Leeming), Harry Hughes (Nollamara), George “John” Ravlich (Cockburn)
(2) The 50th Anniversary Deaf Bowls WA book was a huge hit! The entire history of deaf bowls in WA is outlined from the Office Bearers, to players, Bowls WA Hall of Fame, championship games history, and records of the four events DBWA participate in outside of their own championships: the Bowls WA All Abilities State Championships, the Australian Deaf Games, the National Deaf Bowls Championships, and the International Deaf Bowls Championships.
There was a great representation of members, and representatives of some deceased members were welcomed. For example, Fiona Perry, daughter of one of the founding members, Peter Holman, who held committee roles as President, Secretary and Treasurer from the early 1970s right through to the late 1990s, was also welcomed.
NOTE TO READERS: You may recognize Fiona as one of the main Auslan Interpreter’s on TV News reels during the Covid Epidemic announcements from our WA Government representatives.
Community representatives were in attendance from Deaf Connect, Bowls WA, and the Public. Deaf Connect and the Deaf Connect Grants & Sponsorship program were responsible for the collation of the Deaf Bowls WA 50th Anniversary booklet. Emma Albert volunteered her time to research additional resources and bring everything together to design the booklet. Also in attendance were two Auslan interpreters working, Dianna Prior and Donna Euphemie, thank you for your services!
Denise McMillan represented the Disability and Inclusion section of Bowls WA – she runs the annual State All Abilities Championships, held at Kardinya Bowling Club. which are now very well-known and patronized.
NEWS FLASH – the 2026 Australian Open will have a Deaf & Hard of Hearing (HOH) Player category for the first time at the 2026 event. There needs to be 8 players registered for this event in order for the Deaf Category to go ahead – so if you would like to have a bowls holiday on the Gold Coast keep this in mind!!! In addition, the Australian Deaf Games 2026 will be held on the Sunshine Coast! Between these activities, Pennants, and Local Bowls Opportunities there is no reason not to go and have a crack!
Players left on time and there were still guests to reminisce and chat about the old times
