Chapman wants to focus on the women’s division of the sport in particular.

She has taken over the role after former chairman Ross Jones announced his retirement following the annual general meeting.

Chapman has a lengthy involvement with sport around the region, having been heavily associated with tennis, hockey and golf.

Bowls became her main sport in 1995 and she has held a variety of roles since that time.

Chapman served as the Central Wimmera District Ladies president for three years, spent time on the deputy umpires panel as well as the match committee.

When the Ballarat Geelong premier division lawn bowls division dissolved to become the Ballarat District Bowls Division as we know it today, Chapman joined the board and took on the role of treasurer.

She brings a strong vision for bowls in the region to the role.

A flow-on effect of the new chairperson’s desire to keep improving the BDBD saw a women’s forum take place at Central Wendouree Bowling Club.

About 80 female members of various bowls clubs around the region were in attendance as strategies to further develop the interest and participation in the sport were discussed.

The main focus areas revolved around how it could improve competitions – including pennant – and what initiatives the BDBD could introduce to help clubs, with many ideas set to be implemented over the coming season.

Fay Dunne was elected as president of the Victorian Ladies Bowls Association. The announcement sees Dunne as the first country-region state president in the 85 years of its existence.

She was an inaugural member and is now a life member of the Rainbow Bowling Club. During her 65 years of involvement in bowls she has umpired, coached and served on a number of committees.

Bowls Victoria director Valerie Savage was awarded with life membership at the annual general meeting.

The Ballarat District Bowls Division will hold its season launch at the Buninyong Bowling Club on Sunday in preparation for round one of the weekend pennant.

The new year of weekend pennant is scheduled to commence with round one matches on Saturday, October 8.

Prior to this, the midweek pennant competition gets underway on Monday, October 3.