Vale Nambour Identity – Mavis Balkin

Many within the Nambour and lawn bowls communities were saddened to learn of the passing of Mrs Mavis Balkin on September 5, aged 95 years.

Mavis, pictured, and her late husband Harry operated the popular Royal George Hotel for many years. Harry’s brothers Reg and George established the iconic Balkins Menswear store just a few metres along Currie Street.

Mavis was introduced to lawn bowls at Mapleton in the 1950s when her non-bowling father Percy Melville gave her a set of bowls. She then joined the Nambour Ladies Bowling Club and served as President in 1966, a position she held four times between 1966 and1992.

Such was her enthusiasm and commitment to the sport that Mavis served as President of the Nambour District Ladies Bowls Association in 1978.

Following the Nambour District’s amalgamation with the Sunshine Coast, she continued her service in many roles and she was an integral member of the Match Committee.

Mavis had been awarded Life Membership of both Nambour Club and Sunshine Coast District Ladies Association.

As a testament to Mavis’s dedication to Lawn Bowls, more than four decades later in 2022 she served as President of the Sunshine Coast District Ladies Bowls Association before the amalgamation of the Mens and Ladies associations.

Mavis was once described in the media as a work soldier for bowls and a true legend of the game.

Fishing on Fraser Island was a favourite and relaxing pastime which she enjoyed outside of bowls, an activity which was an integral component of her birthday celebrations each year. Mavis was a huge Brisbane Broncos fan and member and continued to travel to all of their home games and she even had thoughts of travelling to Sydney to watch her team in the recent Grand Final if they made it.

She would have been so proud of her footy team too even though they fell just short of premiership glory.

Lilian Mavis Balkin, Life Member and Patroness of Nambour Bowls Club, will be forever remembered by family, friends and the local community for her service, friendship and contribution to the Nambour and district community.

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