Lighting up Winchelsea

Bowls Victoria southern Victoria country manager Mark Coleman, Surf Coast Shire Mayor Mike Bodsworth, Winchelsea Bowls Club president Andrew Doyle, Parliamentary Secretary for Community Sport Michaela Settle, and Winchelsea Bowls Club coach Rhys Jeffs. (Supplied)

The future looks brighter for Winchelsea Bowls Club, with new lighting that helps members participate in night competitions and training.

The completed $151,157 sports lighting installation project will allow the club’s grounds to be illuminated by 100 lux LED lighting from four new 13.5-metre towers.

Parliamentary Secretary for Community Sport Michaela Settle said the region deserved modern sporting facilities that its residents could be proud of.

“Better sport and recreation facilities make it easier for Victorians to get involved in local sport and recreation and lead healthy and active lifestyles,” she said.

“The new lighting is a real boon for local bowls, providing the club the opportunity to welcome more players and take the local game to the next level.”

Winchelsea Bowls Club president Andrew Doyle said it was great to see the upgrades following club leaders approaching Surf Coast Shire Council with the project concept in November 2022.

“We look forward to further improvements as we continue growing the game in Winchelsea,” he said.

“The club’s success off the green with this project complements the success we have had on the green winning six premierships in different divisions in the past four years.”

Surf Coast Shire mayor Mike Bodsworth said the new lighting would allow residents to play lawn bowls at any time of the day or night.

“We congratulate Winchelsea Bowls Club and Winchelsea community for having initiated and realised this project, which will help light the way for the club for decades to come,” he said.

“Expansion of playing and training options under lights is sure to appeal to existing and new members in the growing community and help keep people across a wide range of ages active and involved.”