John Ravlich has been inducted into the Bowls WA Hall of Fame. d470342
Camera IconJohn Ravlich has been inducted into the Bowls WA Hall of Fame. d470342 Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Cockburn Bowling Club legend John Ravlich inducted into Bowls WA Hall of Fame

Bryce LuffCockburn Gazette

The Spearwood resident became the 37th person to attain the honour and the fourth member of the Cockburn club, joining club mates Steve Srhoy, Peter Sardelic and Smiljana Jakovich.

“I was shocked initially,” Ravlich, who is deaf, said through an interpreter.

“I thought it can’t be me.

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“It was quite a nice surprise to receive the accolade.

“I’m very proud indeed.”

Ravlich took up the sport after moving to Sydney, but it was back in WA where he truly made his mark.

Over a mammoth career which continues today, the 80-year-old is a three-time State Triples winner, Masters Triples and Fours winner and was part of the invincible 1987 Alley Shield-winning side, described as “a who’s who of the greats of WA bowls”.

Ravlich is also a four-time World Deaf Championship winner, five-time Australian Deaf representative and has been a member of the state deaf side for more than five decades.

He said his only big disappointment was losing the 1985 Australian Singles final to future Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Dennis Katunarich at the Yokine Bowling Club.

“It was a knock-out competition and into the grand final was me and him,” he said.

“He beat me. I got runner-up. That was the only real big disappointment.

“It was a world competition which threw me off a bit.”

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