The inaugural Pancare MegaBowl was held at Shepparton Park Bowls Club yesterday.
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Victorian Open competitors, officials, volunteers and spectators took a moment to have some fun and enjoy the Bowls Victoria and Pancare Foundation initiative, with the underlying cause close to many of their hearts.
Pancreatic cancer claimed the life of Chris O'Meagher — more affectionately known as ‘'Bear” by the wider bowling community — in September last year after a 10-month battle with the disease.
O'Meagher's work with the Pancare Foundation created a legacy following his death, with a Purple Day for Pancare staged at last year's Open.
This time around the MegaBowl — where entrants had just one bowl to land closest to the kitty on their rink before the winners moved on through the competition — was the highlight of the charity day.
“We were really happy,” Pancare Foundation community fundraising manager Sarah Collings said.
“We have been absolutely overwhelmed by the support of the bowling community and Bowls Victoria, the wonderful Sean (BV events manager Sean O'Kane) who leads the event here. He was the mastermind behind that.
“We were thrilled that over 80 people registered for the event, it was an absolutely great way to not only incorporate bowls, but also incorporate a fundraising element into the day as well.
“It's definitely close to their hearts and obviously Bear had an amazing presence within the bowls community and you know, it is wonderful to see that outpouring of support and love and then ultimately that passion just to raise awareness and make a difference (against) this devastating cancer.”
Brunswick's David Stiles took out the competition, winning himself a brand new set of purple Taylor bowls.
Increasing the importance of the timing of the Open for the Pancare Foundation is the fact November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, with World Pancreatic Cancer Day scheduled for tomorrow.
The heightened awareness is hoped to help raise funds to support pancreatic cancer patients and their families, as well as fund research into finding a cure for the disease.
“Funds raised through the Pancare Foundation, and from this particular event, are invested into research into early detection services and support programs and also patient support programs as well,” Collings said.
“So we're very engaged in the community in terms of supporting people through financial hardship programs and we've got a specialist nurse as well that speaks to patients.
“We run support groups, and ultimately, also into the research arm of things as well, because we just need to find a cure for this devastating cancer.”
Pancare aims to raise thousands of dollars from the efforts at the Victorian Open, but could not do so without the help of all involved.
“The tins are rattling and there's a lot of full tins that we're really excited about,” Collings said.
“It would be amazing if we could raise $5000, but we will definitely report back at the end of the event and be very proud to announce our total to the bowls community.
“We would just really like to say a really big thank you to the bowls community and the town of Shepparton as well.
“I think the Shepparton Park Bowls Club is a fantastic venue, we've been overwhelmed by the support of the volunteers on the ground.
“We're so grateful that everybody's come here to play bowls, but they're also happy to put their hand up and say you know, together we can make a difference and raise funds and awareness to fight this terrible disease.
“So thanks for your support.”
News photographer Megan Fisher was on hand to capture some of the action from the MegaBowl and the wider fundraising efforts.
You can find out more about the Pancare Foundation and how to donate to the cause at pancare.org.au or at the organisation's stall at Shepparton Park for the remainder of the Open.
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