MEDIA RELEASES
21 FEBRUARY 2022 - GREENKEEPER RETIRES AFTER 35 YEARS AT TERRIGAL BOWLING CLUB
PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: GENERAL MANAGER, CRAIG FAIRWEATHER, NEIL MASSEY & CHAIRMAN, FREDDY DOWSE
Local greenkeeper, Neil Massey, has retired after 35 years of service to Terrigal Bowling Club. The Wamberal local has held the position of greenkeeper at the much-loved Central Coast venue for more than 23 years, after being assistant greenkeeper since 1986.
Growing up in Balmain, Neil and his wife decided to uproot their lives in Sydney and rent in Terrigal for 12 months to try a different lifestyle. After just one day on the job, Neil went home to his expectant wife at the time and said, “We’re not going back” and they never did.
While many would hate the early starts or seasonal pressures of being a greenkeeper, as an avid surfer, Neil couldn’t have found a more fitting career.
“I’ve always loved surfing and growing up in Balmain I’d do anything to knock off early and go surfing. I just love being near the beach and love the atmosphere,” explained Neil.
“The highlight of my career has been mixing with the members and having the opportunity to play bowls at the Club. I have played Championships for 10 to 15 years and really enjoyed it.
“I guess it’s nice to also enjoy the greens when you’re not on the clock,” he laughed.
Over the almost four decades of calling the Central Coast home, Neil and his family have enjoyed living in Wamberal, where retirement offers the opportunity for more family time, sleep-ins and perhaps more swings on the golf course
“I have two beautiful daughters and four grandchildren and am looking forward to spending time with them and of course surfing and playing golf more.
While he may be leaving his garden tools in the shed, Neil says it’s not goodbye to the Bowlo as he has made some wonderful friends from his time there.
“I’m excited to still mingle with the friends I have made down at the Club and enjoyed my official first day of retirement with a wonderful celebration last month,” concluded Neil.
Retiring after 35 years, Neil is one of the longest-serving employees to have worked at the local bowling club, making sure the grounds are always in superb condition.
“We have been incredibly honoured to have such a dedicated and experienced greenkeeper in Neil work so hard for our venue for 35 years,” said Terrigal Bowling Club General Manager, Craig Fairweather.
“His commitment to our Club is testament to the wonderful role model he has become and the respect he has gained from our members.
“We wish Neil all the best in his retirement and look forward to seeing him join us at the Bowlo as a lifelong member,” concluded Craig.
21 MAY 2021 - NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS PROUDLY CLAIM TERRIGAL AS THEIR ‘HOME AWAY FROM HOME’
This week Terrigal Bowling Club played host to some very special visitors to the Central Coast – the New Zealand Warriors. The humble club, set just a short stroll to the Coast’s most iconic beach, was proud to put on an intimate Sportsman’s Dinner for the players and the Club’s members to mix and mingle for a night of fabulous food, drinks and stories.
The night featured a raft of stars from the NRL team including Nathan Brown (Coach), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Captain) and players Tohu Harris, Wayde Egan, Addin Fonua-Blake, Chanel Harris-Tavita, former player Adam Blair as well as others.
The action-packed night included a delicious two-course meal from the club’s restaurant Bec’s Kitchen, lucky door prizes and question time with the players.
It was an evening full of laughs, stories and great memories with the boys even calling themselves the “unofficial Terrigal Warriors.”
After relocating to Terrigal temporarily and leaving their families behind for almost six months last year due to COVID, the New Zealand Warriors found their home away from home in the heart of one of NSW’s most popular beach suburbs. So much so, that this year the team returned, this time with their families in toe, to ensure the season went ahead as scheduled.
The Warriors could not be more grateful for the Terrigal community that have welcomed them with open arms, as well as Terrigal Bowling Club for their support.
Captain, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck stated “The team are loving being in Terrigal, especially being by the beach. Our families love it. The kids love it. We get to train by the beach and run around the Haven.”
Even with the travel bubble established between Australia and New Zealand, the team has now announced they will be not going home anytime soon and will be staying on until the end of the season.
Tuivasa-Sheck described living in Terrigal as a completely opposite lifestyle to his home back in New Zealand. “It’s a real different world. In Auckland, I live in a rural area on a farm. But here, I am on the beach, it’s a very different lifestyle. We are enjoying the many cafes and places around Terrigal as well as taking the kids to the beach.
After being frequent visitors to Terrigal Bowling Club, Tuivasa-Sheck said, “the boys love coming to the Club for a bowl and some food, which is a good escape from footy.”
James Heddo, CEO of Terrigal Bowling Club, described the evening as a very proud Club and community moment.
“Tonight has been an excellent evening for not only the Club members in attendance, but also our staff too,” he said.
“I feel very proud to be able to host such a fantastic event for an iconic international team made up of very passionate and dedicated sportsmen. I think I can speak on behalf of everyone at the Club when I say it was an absolute honour and a privilege to support the boys and get the community together in such a way just days before their next big game.
“There will be many members and their guests speaking about the evening for many years to come because they got to sit with their heroes. It was very special that we got to create that moment for them,” James concluded.
The New Zealand Warriors played the Wests Tigers at Central Coast Stadium on Friday 21 May And won.
27 APRIL 2021 - ASTONISHING BACKFLIP BY COUNCIL AFTER TERRIGAL BOWLING CLUB FIGHT BACK AND WIN
In a stunning demonstration of people power and the value of a humble Club within its community, Terrigal Bowling Club and a large portion of the Central Coast has banded together to ensure the Club’s immediate future, in spite of initial Council desire to prepare the site for sale.
Set down to be reclassified alongside multiple other parcels of land on Tuesday evening, 27 April, as Council desperately seeks to repair the financial damage it self-inflicted over several years, Administrator Dick Persson AM has conceded to mounting backlash and advised the plan will be put out for public consultation before a decision is made.
Mr Persson has also advised that Terrigal Bowling Club will be removed from the list, suggesting that he did not agree with the proposed sale of the land on which it sits, and it was not meant to be on the initial list.
Terrigal Bowling Club CEO, James Heddo said he was thrilled by the decision and overwhelmed with just how much support the Club had received in their battle.
“We are very happy with the result, not only for our Club, but also that the Council will now be consulting with members of the public about all lots on the agenda,” he said.
“We hold a lease until 2024 and we are very keen to secure our future beyond this. We now look forward to being given the opportunity to sit down with Council as soon as they are ready.
“We just cannot thank the Central Coast community enough for rallying around us in our time of need. I hate to think what could have happened if this motion had been passed without our knowledge,” he added.
That support manifested in many ways – within hours of breaking the news on their social media on Monday afternoon, 26 April, media outlets, community groups and affected individuals quickly found their voice and advocated on behalf of the humble Terrigal club.
Just after 11am this morning, when Mr Persson AM contacted Mr Heddo personally and advise him of his change of heart, an online petition against the reclassification had garnered more than 1,500 signatures and was growing by the minute.
The decision to remove 4 Wilson Rd from the reclassification list is an enormous win for Terrigal Bowling Club and the wider Central Coast community. Who knows? maybe this will lead to the start of greater transparency and more responsible decision making from Central Coast Council.
26 APRIL 2021 - COUNCIL CASH GRAB THREATENS 70 YEARS OF TERRIGAL HISTORY
It seems there is no end to the debacle that is the Central Coast Council’s mismanagement of finances and the subsequent poor communication skills they are quickly becoming well known for.
This came to a head last week for Terrigal Bowling Club when they discovered, by pure chance, that the land on which the 70-year-old Club sits is recommended to be reclassified on Tuesday, 27 April in order to sell.
Not content with simply increasing rates to bail themselves out of the financial hole they dug over several years, Council now wishes to reduce our ability to socialise, keep active and enjoy where we live, and they wish to do it in absolute secrecy.
Terrigal Bowling Club CEO, James Heddo said he was appalled by the Council’s lack of transparency when they have tried to make contact on numerous occasions.
“The Club currently holds a lease until 30 April 2024 but the future after this point appears non-existent in the eyes of the Council,” he said.
“Council had previously suggested that the Club could be relocated to the recreational grounds where Breakers Basketball Courts are situated. However, having viewed the ‘Tranche 3 – Land Requiring Reclassification and Rezoning’ document, it seems this land in Terrigal is also on the agenda to be sold.
“I am incredibly disappointed that we didn’t receive any communication that this proposal to reclassify the land was part of the Council agenda. It would be devasting to the entire local community if 70 years of proud history could be thrown away due to the financial mismanagement of local government.
“As you can imagine we have many upset members at the club and I myself am outraged that Council thought this was acceptable behaviour. We are determined though to fight this for our members and community,” James concluded.
Terrigal Bowling Club has a long and storied association with its community and we now encourage the community to stand with us and fight for our much-loved club.
You can sign the petition here: http://chng.it/QTB6jyW6jj
14 APRIL 2021 - TERRIGAL BOWLING CLUB RECEIVES NSW GOVERNMENT LOCAL SPORTING GRANT TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY LED PROGRAMS
Terrigal Bowling Club is excited to have been awarded a sporting grant through the NSW Governments’ Local Sporting Grants Program in further support of its fantastic community led services.
Presented, as it often is, in novelty form by respected Terrigal MP and Central Coast Parliamentary Secretary, Adam Crouch, the money is earmarked for improving access to lawn bowls for mature aged people and those with disabilities or mobility limitations, as well as upgrading the exciting Terrigal Junior Bowler Program in 2021.
The programs serve as yet another example of the club’s commitment to the entire local community and recognise that talent is not confined to single age groups or demographics.
Previously, the Club has allocated free coaching to girls and boys under the age of 18 with the aim of introducing a new generation of bowlers at Terrigal Bowling Club – an initiative which has been in place since 2019.
Bowls Director, Freddy Dowse said investment in specific lawn bowling programs had always been very successful and they had plans in place to continue to grow their programs for years to come.
“The recruitment campaign included in-house marketing through existing club members and canvasing the local schools. From these efforts the Club now boasts five boys and one girl under age 18 registered as Junior Bowlers,” he said.
“COVlD certainly interrupted our recruiting but the resumption of free introductory coaching sessions held each Saturday morning and on Tuesday evenings during daylight saving has produced a further three junior boys on trial. We hope to increase these numbers by the end of the year.
“This group of juniors is now at the stage where we need to increase their individual participation by encouraging their involvement in club bowls through a mentoring scheme and introduce them to district bowls organised specifically for bowlers aged under 18 on the Central Coast. With this sporting grant we will now be able to achieve this,” he concluded.
Terrigal Bowling Club CEO, James Heddo added that they will be using the money for their second community led program.
“The aim of the project is to allow us provide lawn bowls, lawn bowling aids and suitable training equipment to introduce all adults to the sport of lawn bowls, especially mature aged people or people with disabilities,” he said.
“The project also aims to aid people who, although they may not be regarded as disabled, have limited mobility issues. Back, knee, hip complaints and physical shape can be a significant barrier to participation, and we would love to be able to quash these limitations and open the sport to anyone and everyone.
“Likewise, there are many keen lawn bowlers who, with age, develop physical difficulties which prevent them from continuing their beloved sport under normal circumstances. With this program they could be assisted and encouraged to extend their participation in lawn bowls until much later in life.
“Providing our aging community with an opportunity to exercise regularly whilst enjoying a healthy and fun social life, we believe, is absolutely paramount to ensuring a healthy lifestyle in our later years and Terrigal Bowling Club is committed to being the best on the Coast,” he concluded.
The highly coveted NSW Clubs & Community Awards winners will be announced on 20 May, with Terrigal Bowling Club nominated in the health and wellbeing category. One thing for certain is, there is no stopping this dedicated team as they strive to positively contribute to their local community.
Free Coaching sessions are available at Terrigal Bowling Club to both juniors and adults. Visit our website or call thew Club to enquire on 02 4384 1403
7 APRIL 2021 - TERRIGAL ON SHOW: COMMUNITY EVENT TO SHOWCASE SUBURB’S RESOURCES AND SERVICES THROUGH FAMILY FUN
Hot on the heels of being named a finalist in the Clubs and Communities Awards, Terrigal Bowling Club will team up with the newly formed Terrigal Neighbourhood Centre to host a family day showcasing everything the suburb and surrounding region has to offer.
Set down for Friday 16 April, the event is a platform for local businesses and organisations to demonstrate what they bring to the local community.
It’s undeniable that the events of last year changed the way we approach our work and family life, the result of which being that the Central Coast evolved at a rapid rate.
Many young, professional families relocated from Sydney for a quieter, more relaxed lifestyle, and the changing demographic has brought with it a strong desire to connect to the community in order to settle quickly.
Understanding the value in this, the Terrigal Bowling Club and Terrigal Neighbourhood Centre-hosted community event has been created in an effort to expose locals to the many resources and services that are available on their doorstep, particularly in times of need, and to showcase the region in a positive light.
As proud sponsors, Terrigal Bowling Club will open its doors for free barefoot bowls to all attendees for the duration of the event, while the community showcase will be held across the carpark and in the CWA Hall.
Terrigal Bowling Club CEO, James Heddo is looking forward to it, and said that the Club is pleased to be able to support worthy causes and initiatives.
“As a Club, our community is at the forefront of everything we do. We feel very lucky to be in a position to assist local businesses or initiatives that may benefit from donations,” he said.
“We are pleased to have the Terrigal Neighbourhood Centre move in next door and we hope this event allows everyone that lives in the wonderful town of Terrigal to meet one another and build valuable relationships.”
Marie James, Manager of Green Point-Terrigal Community Services Inc, is excited to host the event and said she was pleased by the support they have received so far.
“We’re very excited, that’s for sure. Visitors can expect to be greeted with an array of sensational family entertainment, market stalls, service information stalls, food vans and lots more,” she said
“We will play host to a range of local stallholders including retail, recreation, relaxation, youth, wellbeing, mental health, and family issues.
“Local MP, Adam Crouch will be launching the event and will be sticking around for locals to come and have a chat.”
Some organisations attending to date: Girri Girra – welcome and smoking ceremony || Temple Healing – massages || Rock Sloth – sand art, magician, balloon artist || Anita’s Discos || Central Family Support Services || OCCI – Ocean & Coastal care Initiatives || Terrigal Rotary|| CWA Terrigal || Pawtastic. There will also be plenty of local artisan market stalls.
The event will be held on Friday 16 April between 3pm – 6pm at both the CWA Hall in Terrigal and Terrigal Bowling Club.
24 FEBRUARY 2021 - TERRIGAL BOWLING CLUB RECOGNISED FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTION TO LOCAL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLBEING
