Sport
18 June, 2023
Life membership marks decades of service
Former Rainbow teacher Betty Couzens isn't able to pinpoint the dozens of bowling awards she's won from club through to state level. But that's not important to her. Exceptional service to advance the game over many years will result in her name...
Former Rainbow teacher Betty Couzens isn't able to pinpoint the dozens of bowling awards she's won from club through to state level.
But that's not important to her.
Exceptional service to advance the game over many years will result in her name appearing on Horsham City Bowling Club clubroom's life membership honour boards.
Mrs Couzens received the honour at an annual meeting, along with four other members who have also given diligent service over many years: Derek Ballinger, Kevin Clyne, Ron Goudie and Gary Knight.
The club's other living life members are Max Tippett, Dot Wood and Ethel Holland.
Mrs Couzens, originally from Ouyen, was teaching at Rainbow when she met Willenabrina farmer Rex Couzens.
Having children and a return to work meant she didn't start playing bowls until 1996.
"I had played a lot of sport all my life and thought I would never find a game I enjoyed as much as tennis," she said.
Mr and Mrs Couzens played bowls at Brim until moving to Horsham in 2000.
This followed a time as North Wimmera Bowling Association president.
This year she continued her winning streak.
Playing at Stawell representing the Wimmera region, she and Sandra Knight won a 60-and-over regional pairs event, putting them in the top 16 pairs in the state.
Mrs Couzens also won a singles event.
One win at the next level put her into Victoria's top eight singles players for her age group.
In earlier years she and Elsie Bardell of Horsham had much success in pairs events.
She has been runner-up at state level three times, has 11 district championships and has won three consecutive champion of champion awards at regional level.
With husband Rex she won a state mixed pairs event and came in sixth at national level.
"I enjoyed all aspects of bowls," she said.
This has meant serving many committees and boards and also as a selector.
"And I have thoroughly enjoyed the people I've met, the friends I've made and the social life bowls offers," Mrs Couzens said.
At 83 she continues to be involved in club administration.