Sustained community access to lawn bowls in Ouyen

The future of the Ouyen Bowling Club is problematic due to the increasing and ongoing costs of inputs, including plant maintenance (see photo), disposable inputs (pesticides and fertilisers), green keepers labour and water, in maintaining the grass greens. Their replacement with a synthetic green would significantly reduce by 80 to 90% both the current and ongoing costs. The facility at risk is currently used on more than 100 days each year for local and regional competitions, wider community functions including social bowls, regional championships and a carnival attracting bowlers from throughout Victoria and neighbouring states.

The bowling club is an important social and recreational hub especially for the older members of the Ouyen community, both bowlers and the wider community. It provides year round exercise plus fills an important communication and interaction role. The demise of the club would be a significant loss to the wellbeing of the rural based community. The responsibilities and activities required to run a successful club, including incorporating the "Fair Play" code provide a beneficial individual and community outcome. The local business community benefits from the general club activities plus the visiting bowlers in both the short and long term.