Life Member of GCTDLBA Myrna Farthing
Myrna Farthing
A chance meeting in May 1987 saw a new world open up for Myrna. She had recently lost her husband, and was a a lost and a wee bit lonely, not knowing how she would fill her days. While shopping she ran into an old acquaintance, who suggested she knew the ideal activity to help her friend. She introduced Myrna to Musgrave Hill Bowls Club and the game of lawn bowls. This opened up a new and very rewarding world for Myrna which would stand her in good stead for many years.
Myrna was not one to sit in the background and in August of that same year she was appointed Social Officer of the club.The club could see what an asset they had, and Myrna was elected to Junior Vice President in 1988, Senior Vice 1989, in 1990 took on the position of President for the Musgrave Hill Ladies.
Myrna held many positions at Musgrave Hill during her time as a bowler. They include Assistant Games Director, Pennant Selector, Umpire and a member of the Musgrave Hill Bowls Club Board.
It was at Musgrave Hill Bowls Club Myrna meet her second husband. A fellow bowler and they would travel the world, umpiring and playing their beloved game of lawn bowls.
During these years at Musgrave Hill , Myrna was making a name for herself and with fellow team mates winning many Fours competitions and in 1996 Myrna won the Ford Open competition in a very close game 25-24. It was written up in the local paper as one of the most exciting games that spectators had watched at the time.
Very early in her bowling life , Myrna realised there was a great need for more umpires and she set about gaining her National Umpires qualifications- Level One in 1994. Myrna would teach umpiring to whoever wished to learn. Myrna knew that the game needed good umpires for it to grow to the level it is now. She later became a National Level Two Umpire, where she was called upon to umpire for Bowls Queensland , Bowls Australia, International games and Test Series. Always setting a high standard and was a well-respected Umpire. She also umpired at her club for some 21 years. She would umpire both men and woman pennant games.
Myrna wanted to help advance the sport of lawn bowls and in 1999 was elected as Junior Vice President for the Gold Coast Tweed District Ladies Bowling Association (GCTDLBA) , advancing to Senior Vice in 2000 and was elected District President in 2001.
In 2002 she took a position on the Match committee where she served 5 years on the match committee,With her love of umpiring , she found herself as Umpire Chair for 5 years after that . Myrna would work tirelessly improving the game and for the committees on which she served.
Sadly, in 2003 Myrna would experience once again the loss of a husband. This time she had the support of the bowls community and they rallied around her.
In 2009 Myrna received a Certificate of Accreditation as an International Technical Officer (ITO). Which she held until 2015.
In 2019 Myrna was awarded a Life Membership of GCTDLA. The following year ,Myrna was honoured by Bowls Queensland with a 25 Year Meritorious Award for services rendered to the sport of lawn bowls and was presented with a badge and certificate to commemorate the occasion.
When asked about bowls , Myrna said bowls has been very rewarding . The sport had given her many friendships, lots of laughs , taken her to different and interesting places. She can remember the days when lady bowlers had to wear double fronted petticoats and stockings, but can also recall one very hot day where she and her fellow team mates took off their pantyhose and slips and keep on bowling , much to their relief no-on complained. Also recalls when she joined Benowa Bowls Club and they wore soft pink hat bands and were called the Fillies. How lawn bowls is changing – with colourful uniforms worn these days. Myrna commented that the colourful uniforms allow spectators and other competitors to know what club that bowler belongs to.
Bowls Queensland started looking at encouraging younger players to help promote the game . These days it is not a game for just the older player, any age can play and this will ensure the sport will continue grow and evolving.
Myrna stopped bowling about 3 years ago, but you can see her at many a competition enjoying watching the play and having a chat. Myrna also frequently attends the Council meetings of the GCTDBA just to keep her finger on the pulse. Even though she is no longer an active bowler, Myrna chooses to maintain her connection to the GCTDLBA by sponsoring our annual event – the President’s Cup. The GCTDLBA thanks her very much for her generosity.
Myrna is a very caring , kind and giving person always with a smile on her face and a friendly word . The game of lawn bowls is very fortunate to have her
