Often I hear from new retirees that they are busier now than when they working, testament to this would be the current Chairperson of Palmwoods Bowls Club, Glynis Myers.  

Moving from Country Victoria to settle in Palmwoods, 12 months into retirement Glynis offered her services to the Bowls Club where her husband Noel is a bowler.  

With a background in finance and strong business acumen, Glynis took over the position in February.  

The following month came the Covid-19 restrictions resulting in Glynis having to draw on her organisational experience and tackle the daunting prospect of keeping the club viable. 

“Panic was my first response, I estimated we would last until August unless we could make some major changes,” she said.  

Glynis praised the efforts of board members & club volunteers. 

“As chairperson with a great board and the dedication of other volunteers we have been able to turn what was initially an overwhelming situation into an opportunity to undertake some changes and projects.”  

Cleaning from the ceiling down followed by fresh paint along with some reorganisation of outgoings.  

“The support from our regular suppliers and generosity of the greenkeeper have made a big differenc,” she said.  

“We have been able to successfully apply for funding through local council & state assistance, with a lot of the submissions undertaken by long-standing member Dave Robinson.” 

With limited full bowling members and regular players much of the club’s running costs are met by the patronage of social members. 

The easing of restrictions has seen bowling on the greens and the much needed return of social members.

As the oldest surviving Bowls Club on the Sunshine Coast, founded in 1931, it is a credit to Glynis and her team of volunteers that the future of bowls and the many social events are firmly on the agenda.

Aquatic Centres reopen with some improvements

Local swimmers keen to dive in to their nearby public pool can rejoice, with nine aquatic centres reopening on Saturday 13 June.

This includes: Beerwah, Buderim, Caloundra, Coolum-Peregian, Cotton Tree, Eumundi, Kawana, Nambour and Palmwoods aquatic centres.  Mayor Mark Jamieson welcomed the State Government’s release of its Industry Plan for aquatic centres.

“This is welcome news for our entire community and, like many other business owners, our aquatic centre operators who have been doing it tough during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mayor Jamieson said.

“This means mums and bubs classes can recommence, seniors’ fitness sessions can start up again and swimmers can participate in their weekly squad sessions.”

While closed, council proactively brought forward refurbishments to Caloundra, Kawana, Cotton Tree, Eumundi and Nambour aquatic centres, who shared in approximately $1.9 million of capital works projects,” Mayor Jamieson said.

Venues with multiple pools/spaces can have multiple groups of 20 for adults and larger groups of children so long as social distance between groups is observed and patron details are recorded and kept.  

For the latest information about council facilities and services and business assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/coronavirus.