Mavis Meadowcroft

Sports Hall of Fame Inductee

In the 1960’s and 70’s there was a name which was prominent in the sport of ladies lawn bowls. The name Mavis Meadowcroft was being inscribed on trophies across the Goulburn Valley as she became a winner of so many tournaments and championships. Mavis commenced bowling with the Stanhope Bowling Club and was Stanhope “Club Champion” 14 times before moving to play firstly at Mooroopna Golf Bowls Club and then at Shepparton Golf Bowls Club. However her performances at club level were just the beginning of what became a wonderful career at national and international level. Naturally Mavis progressed to the Goulburn Valley Champion of Champions which she won on nine occasions from 1959 through to 1991.

Mavis won the Goulburn Valley open singles 11 times, the championship fours 10 times and on six occasions won the open fours and the open pairs. Following her Stanhope club success she was club champion at Mooroopna Golf and Shepparton Golf in both singles and pairs. She was twice winner of the Shepparton Sherbourne Apex Club Sports star of the year award in 1981 and 1985.

At a higher level Mavis won the Victorian open singles in 1980, she won the Australian Round Robin event in 1979 and was runner up in 1981 and 1987. She was in top form in 1991 winning the State and Country Champion of Champions events.

Mavis was recognised as one of the top bowlers in the state over a number of years and it was not surprising to see her selected in the Australian team for the World Bowls Series in Canada in 1981 She was also selected to represent Australia in the Brisbane Commonwealth Games in 1982.

1985 was a wonderful year for Mavis as she won selection in the Australian team to compete in the World Championships in Melbourne. Mavis became a World Champion when she teamed with Norma Massey and Dorothy Roche as the successful Triples team which won the World Triples title. She followed that success with a runner up title in the World Fours event. It was the crowning glory for Mavis who capped her career with a world championship title and she came home with a World Gold and Silver medal.

Mavis loved her sport and as well as playing bowls she became involved in administration at Club, District and Association level. She also had the distinction of representing Victoria in 22 consecutive tests from 1966 to 1988. In 2011 Mavis was inducted into the Bowls Australia Hall of Fame. The Goulburn Valley was delighted that Mavis Meadowcroft represented the area with distinction and as a world champion, will be remembered as one of our greatest bowlers ever. Mavis will now rightly take her place in the City of Greater Shepparton Sports Hall of Fame.