The 2023/24 Penola Bowling Club season opened on Saturday with a good muster of more than 40 people attending.

Wattle Range Mayor Des Noll officially opened the season, and other guests were Lower South East Bowling Association president Ian Von Stanke and club patron Brian Lynn.

The day started with club president and ladies champion Maria Hunter rolling the jack, and men’s club champion Ken Batt rolling the first bowl of the season.

Longtime supporting sponsors, Nutrien Ag Solutions supplied the awards for the opening.

Winners on the day were Gail Hetherington, Ron Hunter and Wendy Lowe from the team of Peter Starick, Adrian Wicks and Lesley Clifton.

The club is hoping for a successful year and will be supported with two women’s pennant teams in a Friday competition, and three open pennant teams which will play in a Saturday competition.

On Sunday a special inaugural event will be held when the Casterton club will cross the border to visit for a game of bowls which will be preceded by a barbecue lunch at 11am and afternoon tea will follow.

The club welcomes anyone interested in playing bowls.