Bowling for mental health

A PARTNERSHIP between a local bowls club and two former policemen will bring mental health to the forefront of the Anglesea community next month in a special bowling event.

The Anglesea Bowling Club, supported by the Black Dog Institute, will host its first Bowl For Your Lives event on September 16, showcasing how lawn bowls as a sport and clubs can be a safe space for those suffering from mental health issues.

Club president Ben Coyle said he was inspired to organise the event after attending a Bowl For Your Lives event in Lara back in March, the brainchild of former police officers Shane Hafner and Cameron Ryan.

“Bowls clubs tend to be quite internally focused, and we do a number of bare foot bowls to raise funds, but what do we need the extra money for, how can we give back to the community,” Mr Coyle said.

“It’s important to keep a community focus and that’s where the point of difference is I think with this kind of event.

“Mental health is a big thing, we’ve had a couple unfortunate events happen in our own community in recent times, so it’s really important to let Anglesea know this is a safe space to come down and be a part of.”

Doors will open at 9am with coffee and egg and bacon rolls on offer at the start of the event, with games on the green to be run until 11am.

Speeches and raffles will be held throughout the day with social bowls to be held from 1pm.

All proceeds raised from the day will go towards the Black Dog Institute.

“The Black Dog Institute has been around for a long time,” Mr Coyle said.

“I remember owning a business that held a book launch over 20 years ago where all funds raised went to the Black Dog Institute, so it has been doing good stuff for a long time.

“If anyone is suffering from poor mental health or is having a tough time at the moment or wants to know more about mental health, I’d suggest they go their website.”

For more information on the event, head to anglesea.bowls.com.au