Big Coast bowls honour
THE Gold Coast has tightened its grip on Australian bowls bragging rights, with the Glitter Strip set to shine at the sport’s Hall of Fame and awards night.
Former Australian representative Greeta Fahey, 87, is the latest Gold Coast-based bowler to earn a nod for the Hall of Fame, a day after Commonwealth Games gold medallist Wayne Turley was bestowed the honour. While originally from Sydney, 44year-old Turley has accepted a bowls co-ordinator role at Tweed Heads Bowls Club and is in the process of relocating.
The Gold Coast is expected to provide other Hall of Fame inductees in the coming week, with recipients to be honoured at the Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise on October 26.
A further two current Bowls Australia members will also be elevated to Legend status at the awards night.
The inclusion of Helensvale bowler Fahey is a welcome one. Debuting in 1986, Fahey became Australia’s 29th capped female representative, and while her international career only spanned four events across as many years, her name will forever be etched into the sport’s annals.
At 56, Fahey was handed the blue-riband singles role in her maiden international appearance, at the Edinburgh 1986 Commonwealth Games, but it wasn’t until the following year when she really established herself on the big stage.
The 1987 Bicentennial International at Tweed Heads led to Fahey being rewarded with a gold medal in the triples and silver medal in the fours, but just as importantly, a spot in the coveted World Bowls Championships team, to be contested in New Zealand the following year.
Fahey took the opportunity with both hands, claiming dual gold medals at the sport’s premier event, which is held every four years, as skip of the women’s triples and fours.
She was recognised with an Australian Sports Medal in 2000, and was honoured with induction into Bowls Queensland’s Hall of Fame in 2005.
Fahey, who first took up the sport in 1959 as a 19 year-old, continues to play club-level bowls and has been described as an inspiration and icon to fellow Helensvale members.
Tickets to Bowls Australia’s Hall of Fame and awards night are available from Monday.