NEWSLETTERNEWSLETTER MOSMAN BOWLING CLUB MAY 2020 THETHE GARDENSGARDENS DON'TDON'T STOPSTOP FORFOR AA VIRUSVIRUS www.mosmanbowlingclub.org.au I extend best wishes and a speedy recovery to David Maccallum who had a fall on April Fool’s Day and has suffered a fractured pelvis. David was Club Treasurer and also Chief Umpire for many years, especially during financial negotiations with Council and with Mosman Park Women’s Bowling Club (as it then was). The April Board meeting was conducted by a fairly sophisticated email process, which some now would consider to be completely outdated. So we have agreed to try Zoom for our May meeting, with Rhian as our host. We are rapidly upskilling. The first of several major issues at the meeting concerned the Clubroom renovations which are now completed. I extend thanks to Stephen, Graham, Bruce, James and the builders Reef Interiors for a job well done. We decided that the major Honour Boards should be placed on the Northern wall, and new substituted Boards be placed adjoining. Members will be pleased with the restitution of the major Boards in the Clubroom, and the balance in the new professionally designed museum upstairs. We want that museum to be a pleasure for visitors, and matter of pride for club members. We also extend our thanks to Peter and Lesley Watson for their very generous donation of their Grand Piano. You will be impressed when you see it in our Clubroom. The second topic was membership. We may or may not have an influx of members when we resume. We aim to be ready to address both those possibilities. Our Treasurer Richard O’Brien confirmed that the Club has registered for the Jobkeeper benefits in respect of our employees. Finally it is clear that we need to address the decline in Club income caused by the virus. Although the Club has substantial investments, they have been significantly diminished in value, and some corporates are predicting that they will pay little or no dividends. We do not intend realising any of our investments, at least in the short term. As income from our investments has been subsidising about half our operating expenses, it is very important to have all members on the greens regularly and to expand our membership. Remember it is not only on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons that we can play. It is almost any time, except Monday when we get the green light to resume, that is. In the meantime I think it important to acknowledge that being alone or confined to one’s home for an indefinite period is bound to give rise to feelings of loneliness, anxiety and boredom. Essentially we are all social animals, seeking and holding personal relationships, sharing and enjoying one another’s experiences. These are best done by personal face to face social interaction. When this is taken away it leaves an empty space. O u r President Paul was delighted to accept this beautiful Zimmerman Baby Grand piano on behalf of our club, a most generous donation from our member Peter Watson and his wife, Lesley. Peter transferred to our club in April last year from the Bowral Bowling Club where he played for many years. Lesley and Peter have recently relocated from Bowral to Mosman, and as there was no room for the piano which graced their home there since 1987, they thought it might be a perfect addition to our newly- refurbished clubhouse. And as you can see from this photo, it certainly is! From the MBC President . continued from page 2 For some of us the first few days of our self- isolation provided an opportunity to tidy up, clean out the cupboards and bookshelves, do some more vacuuming…and ironing ..and gardening…whether extensive or small. In a way the enforced home time was an unusual and unexpected godsend. But now as the isolation drags on interminably, and even physical contact with family members is forbidden, a sense of boredom, if not loneliness and even emptiness starts to prevail. It is only natural to feel as if you should be somewhere, that there is a time constraint, going out, doing something, but no. We are forsaking our traditional liberties for the sake of flattening the curve. Now having said all that, I am pleased to see the comments by Peter Hartcher in the SMH just 10 days ago, where he says “The worst case scenario was that 150,000 people would die". Instead, … 65 people have died. The number of patients requiring mechanical ventilation stood at 42 on Thursday. Thousands of intensive care beds equipped with mechanical ventilators, stand blessedly empty in hospital wards around the country, braced for the wave that has not come.” He goes on to say that last week’s new “test, trace, isolate” approach is getting very close to an elimination approach. This is great news, but history tells us that there is always a second wave as restraints are lifted. That wave can be more severe than the first. Last week we have the Federal Health Minister saying ”There has been a sustained and consolidated flattening of the curve.” So there is already cause for hope, notwithstanding some experts predicting a 6 month shutdown. In light of these developments we have made 2 approaches to the Bowls Associations, to give us a “sunrise” indication for at least roll ups. But no, not until the government lifts restrictions. This is really tough on bowlers, but as we are mostly in the “at risk” category, it is understandable precaution. We can but wait. And we may not have to wait too long as last Friday the Prime Minister said” We want to get Australians back into recreational sport as soon as we can…..we want to get back to a place where playing sport can happen and we can have the confidence to do it safely”. Obviously any resumption of Bowls will be subject to guidelines. I think we all recognise that the social, familial and economic consequences of this unique experience have already impacted and will be far reaching. (It will also be interesting to watch the development of relations between Australia and China over the next year or two.) But as soon as we can, we will resume, the greens will be ready for us, and our new clubhouse will be there. We want every possible member to join in the celebrations and be regular bowlers..We will be adding to available playing times, and enjoying the facilities. Novel developments await you. Participation and enjoyment will be our themes.. …..whenever. Best wishes I hope you are all well and managing the government restrictions imposed on our daily life. I have managed to reorganise my routine and be busy most days. Exercising with a friend is beneficial as you have both exercise and conversation. It is encouraging that the social distancing rules are proving effective. The government decision to isolate travellers returning to Australia from overseas has also been an excellent strategy in reducing the number of Covid-19 cases. Bowls Australia is slowly showing signs that there is hope of a return to bowls with limited numbers on the green. Bearing this in mind, we are asking for members to put their names down to play the Major Singles. Please email or phone Rhian at the office: [email protected] or 9969 5198 and she will put your name down. This will only involve three members on the rink. Both the Women’s and Men’s Major Singles are hopefully going ahead. As there have been no bowls, I don’t have a lot of news about our bowling. I did see this joke on Facebook and I thought it was funny: “Just be careful because people are going crazy from being in lock down! Actually I have just been talking about this to the microwave, and toaster while drinking beer and all of us agreed that things are getting bad. I didn’t mention anything to the washing machine as she puts a different spin on everything. Certainly not to the fridge as he is acting cold and distant. In the end the iron calmed me down as she said everything will be fine, no situation is too pressing. The vacuum cleaner was very unsympathetic…told me to just suck it up, but the fan was more optimistic and hoped it would all soon blow over! The toilet looked a bit flushed when I asked its opinion and didn’t say anything but the door knob told me to get a grip. The front door said I was unhinged and so the curtains told me to ….yes, you guessed it …pull myself together.” #day8lockdown#covid19#staysafe A big thank you to Gay and Pat who send jokes around that brighten our day. CALLING FOR ENTRIES The Women's Major Singles is open for expressions of interest. If you would like to enter the competition, please contact Loyce Davis on 0419 636 072 or via email: [email protected] to register your interest AtAt thethe AprilApril BoardBoard MeetingMeeting As indicated in our President's report, the Board made more history in April by meeting via email. Further history will be created by the May Board meeting when it meets via Zoom.(Presuming current restrictions still apply). The Treasurer confirmed that current staff are entitled to Jobkeeper benefits and will continue as usual. Annual subscriptions are to remain the same for 2020/21. However we anticipate some increases in green fees and bar prices. All functions previously booked in the clubhouse have now been cancelled.