BOWLS is a breeding ground for a lifetime of fitness, enjoyment, competitive spirit and friendship.
But for Betty George it's been much more than that.
The Ballarat District Ladies Bowls Association president says bowls has helped her through a number of tough periods during her 80 years, including the loss of her husband in the mid 1990s and also the passing of her mother and only daughter.
Those losses are tough for anyone to handle, and George believes she wouldn't have been able to if it wasn't for her involvement on the greens.
"That was all traumatic and bowls has just got me through it,'' George said.
"My husband died 16 years ago and I don't know how I would have got on without the bowls.
"The last memory I have got of him is (him) saying `Don't give up your bowls.' He has being taken to hospital, he was being put in ambulance and he was pointing his finger!
"He insisted I kept on bowling.''
George, who commenced her bowls career with City Oval in 1980 before moving to Webbcona in more recent times, embarked on a role in the association match committee before being asked to complete an eight-year stint with the BDLBA executive.
"You start with two years as junior vice president, two years as senior vice and two years as president.
"This is my first year as president so I have all next year to go yet. Then you do two years as immediate past president,'' George said.
"It is big, but I enjoy it.''
A decorated player at City Oval, playing more than 400 pennant matches, winning four premierships and a club singles championship, George was ultimately lead away from the club to join Webbcona for its experience and ability
to handle big functions - traditionally hosted by the president of the association.
And she hasn't regretted it one bit.
"I decided that with this job I have got, instead of putting more strain on the club who were in the throws of merging _ which is a big thing being a ladies club on their own for all those years ever since they started in 1930 - I decided to go across to Webbcona,'' she said.
"I knew they had the facilities and all the experience to deal with this sort of top level entertaining.
"Our official opening day was down there - it is always at the president's club - and that's a big day.
"I did the right thing and I'm extremely happy at Webbcona. They really support me beautifully, every member without exception.''
An avid indoor bowler, having held a number of positions at executive level, George says the carpet version of the game simply doesn't match it with the outdoor.
"That, honestly, is the game to play,'' George said.
"I've reached the stage that I'm very, very interested in supporting any of the green bowlers, and I still play pennant.
"I played last year in division three and we went out in the preliminary final.
"Division one went out in the grand final, so all-in-all we felt it wasn't a bad year."
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