Inland Rail brings new benches to bowls club
Portable bench seats are keeping Wangaratta Bowls Club bowlers comfortable across the green, thanks to a recent Inland Rail Sponsorships and Donations grant.
November 11, 2020
The club purchased 11 aluminum bench seats, which are lighter and easier to shift into the shade during the range of competitions hosted at Wangaratta.
“Light and portable benches mean players can keep out of the sun when they’re not bowling for their team, which both offers a place to rest between games and is sun smart,” Wangaratta Bowls Club President Frank Smith said.
This bowls club has had a long association with the rail, Frank explains.
“In 1899 – 121 years ago – we played our first game of bowls against the Benalla Bowls Club and their members arrived by rail, and we met them at Wangaratta Station,” he said.
With Inland Rail’s Tottenham to Albury project set to start construction late 2021, the association continues through Inland Rail’s help for non-profit organisations to keep moving forward.
“Useful items like these bench seats help the club retain and grow membership because we’re well-equipped to accommodate members of different ages and abilities” said Frank.
In 2020, Frank explains the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging, however he’s pleased the club is back up and running, albeit with quite a few extra rules to keep members safe.
“We’re all careful to wear masks, wash hands and keep 1.5 meters’ distance to ensure safety of each other. Bowls is a good social outlet that supports both physical and mental wellbeing, so it’s great we’ve been able to re-open and bring the sporting opportunity back into people’s lives,” he said.
Find out more about the Inland Rail Sponsorships and Donations initiative here https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/opportunities/sponsorships-and-donations/
