THE WORLD came to Palm Lake Resort Tea Gardens (PLR-TG), so to speak, for the annual ‘Australia vs Rest of the World’ lawn bowls tournament on Saturday, 27 January.

As a way to observe and celebrate the Australia Day weekend, a friendly tournament was organised and played under the giant cover on the purpose-built PLR green.

“The players, all from the Tea Gardens Palm Lake Resort, joined teams based on their country of birth or heritage,” Doug Webber, President of the Tea Gardens PLR Bowling Group, told NOTA.

“We had a big mix, with people hailing directly (or indirectly) from New Zealand, Scotland, England, Japan, Singapore.”

A massive turnout of 68 bowlers, plus fanatical spectators, enjoyed the pleasantly cooler Saturday after the face-melting 40-degree heat of 26 January.

‘Australia vs The World’ was to be a fixed feature on the PLR-TG calendar, however there have only been three tournaments so far.

“We didn’t run last year, and COVID put it into limbo, but there is a trophy, and this year’s winners get to go on with the others prior,” Mr Webber explained.

“There was plenty of support, as the 2024 tournament came at the request of several residents and bowlers, mainly as a way to do something special for Australia Day.”

After a hotly contested battle royale upon the green, the final score came down to fewer than a dozen points apart, with ‘The Rest of the World’ winning 117-110.

“The score was quite close, less than 10 points the difference, we try to even it out to make it competitive, sledging and all – all in the good spirit of the day,” Mr Webber said.

“It will definitely be on the calendar for next year!”

The bowlers later enjoyed nibbles and snacks, with specially discounted beverages in the adjacent bar area.

In March the Tea Gardens PLR bowlers will take on the ‘very competitive’ Fern Bay PLR bowlers, with later matches against Forster and Medowie in the list.

By Thomas O’KEEFE