Sport
10 April, 2023
Close community sees Lachlan thrive on the green
While Highland White are still celebrating their division two Goldfields Playing Area premiership, the season had a special significance for Lachlan Robinson. Robinson has served in vital roles in his time in Maryborough in the almost two decades...
While Highland White are still celebrating their division two Goldfields Playing Area premiership, the season had a special significance for Lachlan Robinson.
Robinson has served in vital roles in his time in Maryborough in the almost two decades since he moved to the area, serving on the board at the Highland Society, while also being named as the Bowls Victoria Volunteer of the Year in 2014-15.
But it’s his lawn bowls exploits this season that has allowed Robinson to tell a new story. Robinson, who plays as a lead for Highland White, has played with vision impairment throughout the 2022/23 season, but hasn’t let that setback get to him.
Instead, Robinson thrived, leading the player ladder alongside teammate Allan Pike thanks to an unbeaten home and away season.
Robinson is humble about his achievements, saying that it’s all about the teamwork that helps Highland secure the wins they needed to take this year’s premiership.
“My skipper, Tony Lacey, stands jack-height, and stands a metre off to the left or right, whichever side he wants me to play. I lead, my second tells me whether I am off a metre or short a metre, and I try correct that with my second bowl. Most times, I’ve been able to, and my team are in awe of my ability to do that. It’s a bit of good luck, but as a result, I had a good season,” he said.
“My team help pick up my bowls for me, as I have trouble distinguishing my bowls from others, particularly if they are similar colours. I have a green set, while others have black, brown, white or red. But they pick them up for me and away I go.
“Leading up to the premiership, three of us had played all year without losing a game in the home and away season. It shows what kind of accolades we managed as a team.
“The people we play against try to roll the kitty as far as they can. Sometimes when it’s in shade, I can’t see it at all, which makes it difficult. “I’m not the only one who plays with impaired vision. Paul Adcock is similar, he has played for years and years with Talbot and has the same condition. He has a big set of white bowls and plays accordingly with his team like I do.”
Robinson says that although his vision impairment does limit what he can and can’t do, he still makes use of his ability to play bowls while he has the chance — he also says he is grateful for Lacey, as well as good friend Lawrie Cook, who also serves as a driver for Robinson.
“I’m not allowed to drive on medical advice. I can’t watch TV very well, but I can read the paper because I have a TV with a camera over the top of it, which relays the paper onto the screen. Sometimes I have difficulty seeing what’s on my dinner plate. I can still get around — I ride an electric bike to get to the Highland to play bowls,” he said.
“Last time I went to the specialist, which was nine months ago, I was told my vision hadn’t deteriorated, so I promptly bought some new bowls shorts and a new bag and ended up having a very good season.
“I have another visit next month to see what the story is. I have a dry macula which is untreatable and hereditary apparently — my older sister has the same thing. My reading glasses, which were prescribed in 1995, are still effective.”
The escape from reality, and getting to know people, has helped Robinson thrive since he moved to Maryborough.
“The camaraderie is the best thing. I’ve only been in Maryborough for around 13-14 years and have got to meet 150 people that I would not have known otherwise,” he said.
“With bowls, you play two, three or five days a week if you want to, and you meet people from Dunolly, Talbot, Newstead, Avoca and all over. We also went to a tournament in Smeaton where there were 200 people playing and I got to meet people I went to school with 70 years ago. Those times are good, as you get to see old friends, and it’s been very good for me.”