The two most noteworthy deeds of Ian were his gold medals in the singles at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh and a gold medal in the triples at World Bowls in 1988.
He was one of New Zealand's most successful international bowlers and was named the Dunedin bowler of the century at the Bowls Dunedin centennial.
Ian lives in Brisbane and has not played bowls for 10 years, Phil Dickison said in Dunedin this week.
''We last played together in 1999 when we won a major tournament together.''
The highlight of Phil's career was to win the New Zealand pairs title with his brother in Auckland in 1981.
Ian also won the singles title in 1985.
It is 30 years since Phil's day in the sun but he still enjoys competing at the New Zealand championships.
''I like meeting my mates again and catching up with people I've played against over the years.''
He does not expect to win any titles this year.
''It's hard to get motivated now. It doesn't help if you're not playing well. I don't play as much bowls as I used to.''
Dickison, a retired detective, left Dunedin 18 years ago and now lives in Tauranga.
''I always enjoy coming back to Dunedin,'' he said.
He has noticed some important differences today compared to when he was at his peak.
''The style of bowls is different and some of them are pretty narrow. They don't turn as much as they used to.''
He approves of the colour that has entered the game with bright bowls and bright clothing.
When he lived in Dunedin, Dickison played for the Kaikorai club that will celebrate its centenary this year.
He won seven Bowls Dunedin titles at a time when the local competition was fierce.
Phil has won 24 centre titles in three centres: Dunedin (7), Kapiti (15) and Wairarapa (2).
He has two children and six grandchildren and hopes that some of them will play bowls in the future, to keep the family tradition alive.
Three members of the Dickison family have won Bowls Dunedin gold stars: Ian (junior) 11 titles, Phil 7 and their father Ian snr 5.
