The Hills Club Awards Centurion Life Membership

Jack was relatively late to take up bowls, only deciding to play when he was in his 70s. He remembers his first game, ironically not for The Hills Club, but against them – and his team won.

“When I was playing a zone final for a different Club, (Baulkham Hills District) turned up in all their glory,” Jack told a room of distinguished guests at a special luncheon held at the Club in his honour. “They were very proud of the Club and beautifully presented.

“Twelve months later I moved up this way. I asked this Club permission to practise here, save me going all the way to Merrylands. They willingly gave me that permission, which was typical of this Club.”

Jack recalled how he met up with a friend for dinner at The Hills Club, and the players he had played against the year earlier happened to be seated right beside him. 

They had remembered him well and asked him if he’d be interested in joining them. Not only did he agree to bowl with them, it also began a longtime friendship.

“Pat came out with a membership form,” Jack says of that night. “But they never paid me a sign on fee. Twenty-nine years later, they still haven’t paid me! 

“Those two fellas that nominated me for the Club, just nominated me for this Life Membership.

“Life Membership, apart from chairman, is the greatest honour you can have at a club and I will proudly wear that badge.

“The Club has been so wonderful to me and other members.”The Hills Club President, Ken Carrol, said Jack was a well deserving recipient of the honour.

“Everyone looks to him as a sort of a figurehead in the Club,” says Ken. “He certainly has been a real stalwart for the things that we do. His philosophy on life is tremendous. 

“I think the wellbeing of a club is solely dependent on the life members like Jack. They basically hold the clubs together. 

“I've sought advice from every Life Member that's here in my time as President and Chairman of the Club.”

The function room at The Hills Club for his birthday and Life Membership celebrations was not only filled with his family and closest friends, it was also attended by Hills Hire Council Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne, Deputy Mayor Frank De Masi, Councillor Reena Jethi and Castle Hill MP Mark Hodges.

“Thanks for everything you've done for the community,” Dr Byrne told the audience. 

“To live 102 years and the difference that you've made in the lives of so many. What you’ve done has not gone unnoticed. 

“You’re a real stalwart around here. You really are a treasure to have, not only in this Club but in the community and it’s a real pleasure to celebrate with you.”