BNZ Hall of Fame inductee a ‘dedicated, loyal achiever’

Margaret Malcolm at the Port Chalmers Bowling Club yesterday after being inducted to the Bowls...
Margaret Malcolm at the Port Chalmers Bowling Club yesterday after being inducted to the Bowls New Zealand Hall of Fame. PHOTO: PETER MCINTOSH
Margaret Malcolm has done nearly everything there is to do in bowls.

Since taking up the sport in 1981, the Port Chalmers Bowling Club stalwart has been influential in playing, management and administrative roles — all as a volunteer.

Yesterday that was recognised on a national level.

She was inducted to the Bowls New Zealand Hall of Fame yesterday at a ceremony held at the Port Chalmers club.

It was the latest honour on an illustrious CV that highlights her contribution at club, regional and national level.

At the highest level she was named Bowls New Zealand president in 2002 and became Bowls Dunedin’s third patron in 2015 — a role she continues to hold.

That followed being a member of the Otago Women’s Bowling Association executive from 1985 to 2001, as well as with Bowls Dunedin until 2012 after it amalgamated with the men’s association.

Malcolm was also an executive member of the New Zealand Women’s Bowling Association from 1994 to 1996 and a Bowls New Zealand councillor from 1995 to 2001, after the amalgamation with the men.

She also has a New Zealand Order of Merit for services to bowls.

Malcolm is a New Zealand certified coach and has held a plethora of other manager and selector roles.

On the green she won 40 club titles at Port Chalmers, as well as 11 Dunedin titles and in 2004 claimed runner-up in the fours at the national championships.

Following the ceremony in a packed clubrooms, she said it was a special honour to receive.

"It’s an absolute thrill to receive it," she said.

"You play but you’re never going for those things when you join.

"I’ve had a marvellous life playing bowls. I’ve met some wonderful people."

She said the "good people" had been key to her continuing to remain so involved for such a long time.

Included in those was husband Bruce, who had also made a huge contribution to bowls and won a national pairs title in 1990.

Becoming the Bowls New Zealand president had been a highlight for her, as had making the final of the fours at the national championships.

Prominent Dunedin bowler Ken Walker spoke at the ceremony and said afterwards she was a "thoroughly deserving" inductee.

"A very quiet, dedicated, loyal achiever, no question about that," he said.

"Never really wanting the limelight but always ready to receive an award like this.

"This is a fantastic achievement for her. It’s a national achievement, so I think it’s fantastic.

"I think its wonderful she wasn’t able to go north, so most of her friends and close bowling fraternity are here."

He added that only about 50 people had ever been inducted to the hall of fame. Of those, very few had come from the south.

Outside of bowls, Malcolm has also been heavily involved in rugby, basketball and cricket.

 

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