By Luke Voogt
Bowlers spanning more than 80 years in age, from Warrnambool to Geelong, will take to the green tomorrow to raise money for Legacy.
Bowler of 20 years and widow Joan Shuttleworth will play alongside her four children.
“I started bowling at Norlane, and when I was 80 I went out to Leopold,” she said.
“I don’t know how many years I’ve got left because Leopold is a fair drive. I’m 87 on Monday – so that’s not bad.”
Joan’s husband Desmond was in the 5th (Scottish) Paratrooper Battalion of the British Army and survived the Korean War.
“He used to jump out of aeroplanes,” she said.
“He said he lost a few friends when he was fighting.
“He had a very exciting life from what he told me. He settled down in ’53 and we married in ’54.”
They moved over to Norlane in 1966 and Desmond worked at Ford while Joan worked at an electrical company.
“It was very hard in them days but we managed,” Joan said
“The kids all have good jobs and I’ve had a good life.”
Legacy stepped in to help when Desmond died of cancer in 2011.
“I actually live in the Legacy units in Norlane,” Joan said.
“They look after us – if we need anything we’ve only got to get on the phone and they get one of the workers to come out and see us.
“That’s why I like bowling in the Legacy [bowls] day.”
Bowlers from across southwest Victoria, including Warrnambool teen and grandson of a Vietnam veteran Luke Robson, will join Joan for Geelong Legacy Club’s annual bowls day commencing 10am at Belmont Bowls Club tomorrow.
