08/03/2026
V⭐ GOULBURN PLAYING AREA – FEBRUARY BOWLER OF THE YEAR ⭐
Grand Final Edition 🎳🔥
It’s been a huge week across the Goulburn Murray Bowls Region, with Weekend and Midweek Pennant Grand Finals played this week. A massive congratulations to all premiership‑winning teams - a brilliant reward for months of commitment, teamwork and resilience. 🏆👏
Please join us in celebrating our February Bowler of the Year winner and runner‑up for the Goulburn playing area.
🏆 Winner — Darren Kelly (Mooroopna Bowling Club)
Few contributors in the Goulburn region match the breadth and depth of Darren Kelly’s service to Mooroopna. A brilliant all‑rounder, Darren not only skips in the Division 1 side, he has represented the Goulburn Valley on numerous occasions and has won multiple Singles and Pairs Club Championships.
But Darren’s influence extends far beyond the green. He has served as Club Secretary for seven years, Greens Keeper for the past 18 months, and Tournament Director for more than seven years, overseeing two major tournaments annually. His administrative footprint includes roles on the Match, Selection and Greens Committees, and he currently serves as Chair of the GV Match Committee.
A leader, organiser, competitor and tireless volunteer — Darren’s contribution is immense, and his February win is richly deserved. 💙🎳
🥈 Runner‑Up — Jenny Furletti (Avenel Bowling Club)
Avenel’s Jenny Furletti is a powerhouse of contribution, both on the green and behind the scenes. Since joining the club, she has taken on countless roles: club delegate, Board Director, long‑serving Catering Officer, and a guiding hand in major club functions including funeral wakes, Christmas events, birthday celebrations and workplace gatherings.
On the green, Jenny is a formidable competitor — Ladies Club Champion nine times (2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and a finalist again this year. She plays in Avenel’s highest pennant division and was awarded Life Membership in 2022, alongside her husband David.
She also raises funds through homemade jams, pickles and chutneys, and helps maintain the club gardens. A remarkable all‑round contributor and a thoroughly deserving February runner‑up. 💛👏
🎖️ Congratulations also to our remaining Goulburn nominees:
Nagambie – John Sinden
The driving force behind the maintenance and quality of Nagambie’s Marie Street greens. John is the first person the bowls community calls when something needs doing - especially when volunteers are scarce. His contribution adds to a proud family legacy, with wife Lyn serving as a board member and pairs champion.
East Shepparton – Jeanette Doherty
A champion bowler and prolific community volunteer. Jeanette and partner Marilyn Cox won the Goulburn Valley Ladies Champion of Champions Pairs, sealed by Jeanette’s “magnificent last bowl” for a one‑shot victory. Off the green, she is 2025 Shepparton Senior Citizen of the Year, Chair of the Positive Ageing Committee, contributor to Carols by Candlelight, the Scots Uniting Church, the Lost Shepparton Project, and a performer with the Splinters Music Group.
Shepparton Park – Wes Gibbs
Director of Greens and leader of the essential volunteer team maintaining Shepparton Park’s high‑quality surfaces. Wes has served as Chairman (2017–2021), Deputy Chairman (2014–2017) and has been involved in club administration since its inception. A steady, long‑serving contributor.
Violet Town – Robbie Rae
Recipient of a Victorian Senior Achiever Award for more than 30 years of service. Robbie teaches bowls to local schoolchildren, runs educational and social bowls events, contributes to the tennis section of the club, and recently helped raise $2,600 through community fundraising. A champion of grassroots sport.
Here is your full Goulburn Playing Area – February Bowler of the Year Post, written in the exact same structure, tone, rhythm and emoji style as the Campaspe, Bendigo and Goldfields posts.
All nominees are included, all required details are present, and the post has its own Goulburn flavour.
⭐ GOULBURN PLAYING AREA – FEBRUARY BOWLER OF THE YEAR ⭐
Grand Final Season Edition 🎳🔥
It’s been a huge fortnight across the Goulburn Playing Area, with Weekend and Midweek Pennant Grand Finals played last week. A massive congratulations to all premiership‑winning teams — a brilliant reward for months of commitment, teamwork and resilience. 🏆👏
While our February honourees were not part of those finals, both have enjoyed exceptional seasons and continue to shape their clubs with leadership, loyalty and long‑standing service.
Please join us in celebrating our February Bowler of the Year winner and runner‑up for the Goulburn playing area.
🏆 Winner — Darren Kelly (Mooroopna Bowling Club)
Few contributors in the Goulburn region match the breadth and depth of Darren Kelly’s service to Mooroopna. A brilliant all‑rounder, Darren not only skips in the Division 1 side, he has represented the Goulburn Valley on numerous occasions and has won multiple Singles and Pairs Club Championships.
But Darren’s influence extends far beyond the green. He has served as Club Secretary for seven years, Greens Keeper for the past 18 months, and Tournament Director for more than seven years, overseeing two major tournaments annually. His administrative footprint includes roles on the Match, Selection and Greens Committees, and he currently serves as Chair of the GV Match Committee.
A leader, organiser, competitor and tireless volunteer — Darren’s contribution is immense, and his February win is richly deserved. 💙🎳
🥈 Runner‑Up — Jenny Furletti (Avenel Bowling Club)
Avenel’s Jenny Furletti is a powerhouse of contribution, both on the green and behind the scenes. Since joining the club, she has taken on countless roles: club delegate, Board Director, long‑serving Catering Officer, and a guiding hand in major club functions including funeral wakes, Christmas events, birthday celebrations and workplace gatherings.
On the green, Jenny is a formidable competitor — Ladies Club Champion nine times (2003, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and a finalist again this year. She plays in Avenel’s highest pennant division and was awarded Life Membership in 2022, alongside her husband David.
She also raises funds through homemade jams, pickles and chutneys, and helps maintain the club gardens. A remarkable all‑round contributor and a thoroughly deserving February runner‑up. 💛👏
🎖️ Congratulations also to our remaining Goulburn nominees:
Nagambie – John Sinden
The driving force behind the maintenance and quality of Nagambie’s Marie Street greens. John is the first person the bowls community calls when something needs doing — especially when volunteers are scarce. His contribution adds to a proud family legacy, with wife Lyn serving as a board member and pairs champion.
East Shepparton – Jeanette Doherty
A champion bowler and prolific community volunteer. Jeanette and partner Marilyn Cox won the Goulburn Valley Ladies Champion of Champions Pairs, sealed by Jeanette’s “magnificent last bowl” for a one‑shot victory. Off the green, she is 2025 Shepparton Senior Citizen of the Year, Chair of the Positive Ageing Committee, contributor to Carols by Candlelight, the Scots Uniting Church, the Lost Shepparton Project, and a performer with the Splinters Music Group.
Shepparton Park – Wes Gibbs
Director of Greens and leader of the essential volunteer team maintaining Shepparton Park’s high‑quality surfaces. Wes has served as Chairman (2017–2021), Deputy Chairman (2014–2017) and has been involved in club administration since its inception. A steady, long‑serving contributor.
Violet Town – Robbie Rae
Recipient of a Victorian Senior Achiever Award for more than 30 years of service. Robbie teaches bowls to local schoolchildren, runs educational and social bowls events, contributes to the tennis section of the club, and recently helped raise $2,600 through community fundraising. A champion of grassroots sport.
💵 February Prizes
🏅 $200 winner – Darren Kelly
🎟️ $100 Moama Bowling Club voucher – Jenny Furletti
🎉 Congratulations again to all Weekend and Midweek Pennant Grand Final winners from last week.
Your achievements have capped off a brilliant season across the Goulburn playing area.
📣 Nominations close soon!
Less than a week remains to nominate your March standout. Let’s finish the season with our biggest month yet.
A special publication will be released March 15, showcasing every nominee and announcing the two $500 Bowler of the Year winners across Bendigo, Campaspe, Goldfields and Goulburn Murray.
👉 Nominate here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N2TYWMH
💚 Proudly supported by Warramunda Village Support at Home - keeping communities active, connected and thriving.
Warramunda Village
Avenel Bowling CLUB
Mooroopna Bowls Club
East Shepparton Bowls
Shepparton Park Bowls Club
Nagambie Community Notice Board
Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Bowls Region
Violet Town & District Community Notice Board Est.2016
