“Bowls is a sport played by people of all ages, and it is a great opportunity for interaction between older and younger Australians. It is pleasing to see the extensive support this petition has received from communities across Wannon, and the entire nation, who value this important sport,” Mr Tehan said.
Federal Member for Wannon, Dan Tehan MP joined with Kelly O’Dwyer MP, Federal Member for Higgins and the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP, Shadow Minister for Seniors, at the tabling of a petition with over 37,000 signatures calling on the ABC to bring bowls back on to the ABC program schedule.
Mr Tehan praised the hundreds of people in Wannon who had signed the petition and once again called on the ABC to change its decision.
Mr Tehan received petitions from bowls clubs right across Wannon, from Warrnambool and Hamilton to Talbot and Maryborough.
Mr Gerald Madden of the Warrnambool City Memorial Bowls Club was one of several key local promoters of the petition in Wannon, who helped with the circulation of the petition and ensured that local people were aware of what was happening, and how they could lodge their concern.
“Bowls is a sport played by people of all ages, and it is a great opportunity for interaction between older and younger Australians. It is pleasing to see the extensive support this petition has received from communities across Wannon, and the entire nation, who value this important sport,” Mr Tehan said.
“The ABC Board needs to reverse its decision to remove coverage of bowls, which is a breach of its own Charter. The Charter set out in section 6 of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 states the ABC should broadcast programs that contribute to a sense of national identity and inform and entertain, and reflect the cultural diversity of the Australian community.”
This was the first round of tabling with thousands more signatures expected to be tabled in the future.
“Over 800,000 people participate in Australia per year. Lawn bowls plays an active role within my electorate of Wannon. It allows people, of all ages, to remain active in both a social and competitive environment. Many of our champions instigated their interest in lawn bowls by watching it on the ABC. That is why it so important that we ensure the public profile remains high and this includes viewing on free‐to‐air,” Mr Tehan said.
Copies of the petition can be downloaded from http://www.bowlsaustralia.com.au/
Media Contact: Lisa Downs 03 5561 6405 or 0400 192 205
Copyright © 2010 : Authorised by Dan Tehan, 190 Gray St, Hamilton VIC 3300
Disclaimer | Privacy | Contact
Design by Tin Shed Creations
