WHAT started as a friendly game of bowls for Keith Bowden soon led him to become the Fremantle Bowling Club president.
Mr Bowden, who was recently announced Bowls Western Australia’s Most Outstanding Club Volunteer of the Year, said his neighbour had been a member of the Fremantle club and enticed him to come for a game.
“Within a couple of weeks I was playing in a pennants team and within six months I was president of the club,” he said.
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Mr Bowden said being president was part of the volunteering process.
“I have been involved for ten years, I was president for eight of them and the two years I wasn’t I was vice president,” he said.
“Once you jump on the train it’s hard to get off, you become committed to getting things done and seeing projects come through.
“We are getting a new clubhouse and bowling green done by the end of the year.”
He said he was honoured and humbled to win the award.
“I know there are lots of people similar to me in other bowling clubs who are just as deserving,” he said.
“Lots of bowling clubs really rely on volunteers.
“When you volunteer you get personal satisfaction, you help to progress the club or the group of people you are volunteering for.”
The Fremantle Bowling Club is part of the redevelopment of sporting facilities at Fremantle Park, which also includes the Fremantle Lawn Tennis Club and The Fremantle Workers Club.