Steve the altar boy, on his wedding day to Maureen, and thinking man's bowler
Steve Appleton: Merriwa to the core
END of an era is an often misused description but in the case of Steve Appleton and Merriwa Bowling Club it is fully justified.Lindsay Marsh's contribution to Merriwa could also be described as an 'era' but strictly in the playing sense, while Steve was so much more than just a good player.His time at the bowling club reflected the way he lived his 81 years - a force for good.At his funeral at St Andrews Catholic Church in Clarkson, a building he project managed, Merriwa bowlers turned out in vast numbers and made a Guard of Honour in chilly conditions as the coffin was brought to the hearse for cremation.Many of his family members came over from the eastern states to be with his widow Maureen and children Tony, Michael and Vicki, along with grandchildren and great grandchildren.Steve had many and varied talents:Raconteur - he loved an audience and after a game he would dominate the conversation with his stories, which were always funny and never dull.Entrepreneur - after a successful career with Xerox, he sold cray fish boats, wool to the Russians and finally used his computer programming skills professionally and to help out friends, often to avoid being scammed.Musician - as a teenage guitarist in the 1950s he appeared on Bandstand, the Saturday night TV show, as part of three-piece group.Poet - he brought the house down at Dongara BC when he recited a piece he had written about the ladies of Mundaring BC, based around the logo on their shirts of a cockatoo.Lyricist - he was a leading light in the brief career of the Merriwa Christmas choir, notably for penning the words to 'He is a Crackerjack' inspired by Monty Python's I am a Lumberjack.
MERRIWA BOWLING CLUB:His connection to the club started when he worked on the computer system in the RAAFA village and Maureen became a playing member.Steve soon followed and as a born leader, he quickly made his presence felt as an administrator by taking over from Christine Peacock as secretary in 2013, staying in the job until 2019 before what was meant to be two seasons as president.His bowling career had an early setback when his forte for accidents left him with a shattered right arm after falling off the roof of his house.After a long spell of convalescence, Steve carried on bowling, using his left arm with reasonable success until he made a full recovery. It took him just one more season to underline hi srecovery when in 2014 he won the singles, beating Ian Edgar in the final. He went on to win the pairs (2020/21), triples (2014/15) and fours (2019/20, 2022/23).The 2013/14 season saw Steve at his peak, highlighted by the almost certainly unique final end against Doubleview when trailing 17-10, Bill Morrow, David Owens, Steve and Bob Gillian scored all eight shots. Steve, with his panache for calling skips on elaborate shots, persuaded a reluctant Bob to play his last bowl to deliver such a soul-destroying blow to the opposition.His second season as president was cut short when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer but the fighting qualities that saw him overcome the roof fall, was again in evidence as he refused to let the illness beat him. He did so to such an extent that he was part of the Flag-winning Division Three squad of '22/23 and weeks before his sudden death teamed up with Mitch Brown, Ivor Thomas and Colin Tremlett to triumph in the Hyundai Sponsor Day.At the time of his death he had taken over again as secretary to underline his commitment to the club and its members as a player, adminsistrator and most of all as a friend.
MERRIWA BOWLING CLUB:His connection to the club started when he worked on the computer system in the RAAFA village and Maureen became a playing member.Steve soon followed and as a born leader, he quickly made his presence felt as an administrator by taking over from Christine Peacock as secretary in 2013, staying in the job until 2019 before what was meant to be two seasons as president.His bowling career had an early setback when his forte for accidents left him with a shattered right arm after falling off the roof of his house.After a long spell of convalescence, Steve carried on bowling, using his left arm with reasonable success until he made a full recovery. It took him just one more season to underline hi srecovery when in 2014 he won the singles, beating Ian Edgar in the final. He went on to win the pairs (2020/21), triples (2014/15) and fours (2019/20, 2022/23).The 2013/14 season saw Steve at his peak, highlighted by the almost certainly unique final end against Doubleview when trailing 17-10, Bill Morrow, David Owens, Steve and Bob Gillian scored all eight shots. Steve, with his panache for calling skips on elaborate shots, persuaded a reluctant Bob to play his last bowl to deliver such a soul-destroying blow to the opposition.His second season as president was cut short when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer but the fighting qualities that saw him overcome the roof fall, was again in evidence as he refused to let the illness beat him. He did so to such an extent that he was part of the Flag-winning Division Three squad of '22/23 and weeks before his sudden death teamed up with Mitch Brown, Ivor Thomas and Colin Tremlett to triumph in the Hyundai Sponsor Day.At the time of his death he had taken over again as secretary to underline his commitment to the club and its members as a player, adminsistrator and most of all as a friend.
Ivor has plenty to shout about after Hyundai success
A MERRIWA rink, skipped by Ivor Thomas, won the second Hyundai Carnival Day - despite a last minute hiccup.Two hours before the start, John Avery pulled out but fortunately, Ivor, Mitch Brown and Steve Appleton had the ideal replacement in 2023 Singles champion, Colin Tremlett. They won the $1,000 first prize from a 20-strong field that included four from the South Australia police! To add to Merriwa's success, Merv Davies, Soly Batka, Eddie Eaton and Elaine Weskin won the afternoon prize. For skip Elaine it was another triumph, following her top-rink win in the recent Merriwa-Cambrai challenge match.
Annual General Meeting 2023/24
JULIA BARRON is the new club president, following the annual meeting on Monday (May 20).Julia takes over from Steve Phillips, who becomes vice president.The other two members of the executive are Joan Bowey (secretary) and Clive de Ridder (treasurer).The committee consists of:Men's captain - Eddie Eaton; Ladies captain: Lyn Sibson; Greens: Ian Edgar; Social: Elaine Weskin; Sponsorship: Joe McKennaMen's selection: Brian Barron,Gavan Ebsworth, Ian Edgar, Maggie Edgar, Neville Palmer and Len Paterson.Ladies selection: aggie Edgaer, Lyn Ker, Roberta Waldeck and Ann Walsh.
Pennant Player of the Year 2023/24: Gail Kempton
GAIL KEMPTON, a key figure in the Ladies Flag-winning exploits, was chosen by website editor Brian Barron as the Pennant Player of the Year.
Now in its third year, the other awards were as follows:Top lead: Graeme Wintrer; Second: Soly Batka,
Third: Roberta Waldeck, Skip: Gavan EbsworthUnsung hero: Sergio Sanabria
Neatest scorer: Joan BoweyHonourable mentions: Karl Schuller, Charlie Dodson, Steve Szonyi, Ann WalshNot quite a... Lifetime achievement award: Ann Walsh
A DISAPPOINTING turn out... but a far from disappointing amount of cash raised on annual Pink Cancer Day.Just 25 players took to the green but hands dug deep into pockets to raise $520 (and 25 cents).NIAGARA THERAPY DAYCaptains Len Paterson and Lyn Sibson will be looking for a much greaterer participation on Saturday, April 13 when Niagara Therapy, supporters of Bowls Australia, are sponsoring a day as well as giving a short presentation.Their major ambassador is superstar Aron Sherriff, who gives this endorsement: “I have been fortunate enough for the last few years to be able to utilize the Niagara products during multiple tournaments. I can honestly say my body has never felt better! "Having suffered from foot leg and lower back issues for some time after using these products I can feel instant relief from pain and inflammation. A quick 5-10 minutes on my feet between games makes me feel like I’m walking on clouds! I highly recommend you check out the Niagara Therapy products. They will help you lift your game."The day will be run on the lines of social bowls with rinks chosen at random with as yet, unknown prizes on offer.
Gil Barr
ONE of the truly great characters of Merriwa BC, Gil Barr, has died at the age of 94. A former General Secretary of the Australian Workers' Union, Gil was a pioneer of the mechanical arm and inspired many current members to extend their playing careers by using one.When Gil spoke, the members listened. Using the oratory skills that took him to the top of a powerful union, Gil stood up at an annual meeting and poured scorn on replacing white pants with blue ones, using the immortal line 'they look like pyjamas...'. Inevitably, the vote was lost but within two years he had a change of heart and when he urged the men to wear blue pants they obeyed without question. As a youngster Gil did not get on with his stepmother and left home and school at an early age to became a shearer. It took it’s toll on his back and when it was suggested he became a union rep he jumped at the chance. He was not just a skilful negotiator and when a stubborn sheep farmer refused to upgrade his smelly amenities they mysteriously went up in flames. He became General Secretary of the AWU in 1983, the same year that the Bob Hawke Labour government came to power. Gil had a baptism of fire as the shearers went on a ten-week strike, protesting against the introduction of the wide comb - a campaign that ended in failure. On retirement, Gil took up bowling and for several seasons was the only player using an arm. In 2007-08, he had an excellent championship season, winning the triples and fours, both times with Doug Leicester as his skip. Gil is among a handful of players to be made a life member and former president and current club secretary Steve Appleton said "Gil never took a step back in his work life and he brought the same attitude to his role in our club. Those of us that were privileged to know him will recount 'Gil Barr stories’ for years to come.”
Peter Gray
A MINUTE'S silence was held before Thursday's two home games in memory of former president Peter Gray, who died on Wednesday at the age of 87.A talented golfer, Peter coached WA youngsters who represented the state but his real passion was working with wood..He joined Merriwa three times - the last in the last 12 months - but a fall curtailed his attempts to restart playing again.Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, Peter had several careers as a driving instructor, a tool & die maker, a businessman, a salesman and a data analyst.He is survived by wife, Patricia, sons David, Jeremy and Chris and stepdaughters Mandy and Alison.