The months of COVID lockdown earlier in the year proved to be a good opportunity for the dedicated band of volunteers at the Yandina Bowls Club, aka Club Yandina, to give the facility some much needed TLC.

“The Club has been managing from week to week for some time thanks to these handful of volunteer members,” said new Club Chairman, Leon Granzien. “And it was long overdue for some maintenance and a refresh.”

“We actually have no paid staff here; everyone who works here does so on a volunteer basis,” Mr Granzien said. “Recently we secured some Council COVID grant funding and our fantastic volunteers dedicated hundreds of hours to give the Clubhouse and greens, and surrounding yard a really good spruce up.”

The Club entrance has been treated to a splash of paint and some new lighting and signage. Inside, the function room has new laminated benches, and the stools have been re-upholstered. The bar area has new tiling and refurbished under-bench and cool room glassware and beverage shelving. “We feel really proud of how everything has come up,” said Mr Granzien. “It is all beautiful and clean and fresh, and it will be so much easier to keep clean in the future.

Since the Club has re-opened, there has been a real push to encourage people to come along and enjoy the facilities and the Bistro. “We have a fantastic Chef who has been here for quite a few years,” said Mr Granzien. “He has put together a really nice menu and he offers vegetarian and GF options. Being Sri Lankan, his curries are amazing.”

“Moving forward, we will be really encouraging people to book our function room for their anniversary or birthday parties and other corporate events, because even with our current COVID restrictions, we can accommodate nearly 100 people here. It is a perfect space to bring families,” Mr Granzien said. “Some of our members are in their 80’s and they have been bowling here for decades. While some elderly people still feel a little nervous about coming out, in general, our social membership is growing.”

Club Patron, Marty Hunt MP has been a strong supporter of the Club “It is great to see people in the Community out and about again, and especially to see families here using and enjoying facilities like Club Yandina,” said Mr Hunt.

Over the past few years, Club Yandina has hosted the “BRAS n BIKES” fundraiser for Bloomhill Cancer Care, and will be hopefully doing it again on the 18 Octocter. “Obviously there is still some uncertainty due to the COVID situation, but we are planning for the event to go ahead this year,” said Mr Granzien. “It is always a great day, for a very worthy cause.”