AGE has not tempered Max Hammond’s involvement in lawn bowls.
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The sprightly 94-year-old holds an official role with Bowls Past Presidents’ Association of Victoria (BPPAV) Western District Group and is a Warrnambool division two pennant player.
Hammond recently received BPPAV life membership, joining an elusive group of seven.
His BPPAV Western District Group colleagues nominated him for his tireless service over 22 years.
Hammond, who has been group secretary for 18 years, said he was humbled.
He paid tribute to group president Lyall Gill and the committee.
“It just doesn’t happen. Even if you’ve been doing a job for yonks, it won’t happen unless your friends, the executive committee and committee make recommendations,” he said.
“When I moved from Melbourne to Warrnambool, I was president of Dennington Bowls Club and when I became president, I got invited to be a member of the past presidents’ group and so I joined and have stayed ever since.
“The past presidents’ (group) is a friendship. That is the motto of the organisation, friendship.”
Hammond, who has played lawn bowls for 60 years, has a number of jobs as Western District Group secretary.
“The biggest event as far as I am concerned as secretary is when we have opening day,” he said. “I invited 96 people to come for lunch. Eighty-eight play bowls.
“We have roughly 15 from the Victorian committee of management come up from Melbourne to open the season in November. It is a big event, a big day.”
Hammond said he always enjoyed an annual challenge match against Far Western Region.
The two regions are scheduled to meet on February 11 at Warrnambool Bowls Club.
“They are very strong. They have ripped the trophy off us many times,” Hammond said. “We should take it off them this year. We have a few stronger players.”
Hammond still plays twice a week, including Western District Bowls Division pennant on Saturdays.
He played in Warrnambool Orange’s 2011-12 division three flag and is now playing for Warrnambool Green in division two.
“We are all over the place. Like all bowls, you have a good day and you have a bad day,” he said.