MEMBERS of the Heathcote Bowling Club received a surprise visit last week from two fans of the sport who are on a mission to visit every club in Australia.<\/p>\n
Mal Gunner and Jean McIntyre from Canberra set out on their epic journey last year and have so far visited 250 clubs.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we approached retirement, we thought it would be great to spend every day on a bowling green,\u201d said Ms McIntyre.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we started out there were 2400 clubs in Australia but, sadly, some are closing. At this rate it will take about 10 years to visit them all.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo far we\u2019ve only been to country clubs and will leave the capital cities for a couple of years.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe especially love Victoria and our visit to Heathcote was wonderful.\u201d<\/p>\n
The couple originally met on a bowling green.<\/p>\n
Ms McIntyre is a member of the Western Creek Bowling Club and Mr Gunner was at Tuggeranong.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe go home once a year for medical appointments and check-ups, and to see our little grandchild but we are on the road the rest of the time,\u201d Ms McIntyre said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe spend summer in Victoria, autumn and spring in NSW and winter in Queensland.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlong the way we stop and visit friends and relatives and it\u2019s amazing how many people we meet from home or who have some connection with our clubs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The visit was welcomed by Heathcote club secretary Duncan McGann.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was an absolute pleasure to host Jean and Mal as they make their way around Australia,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey represent the true spirit of the game, building a lovely community as they seek to play at every club in the nation.<\/p>\n
\u201cTwo very friendly, easy-going and interesting people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The couple will be heading to Horsham next, via Bendigo, spending Christmas in Geelong, then travelling to Warrnambool.<\/p>\n