Highlights from the 23rd Maccabi Lawn Bowls Carnival

Over 75 lawn bowlers from around Australia, along with 10 players (and 3 guest bowlers) from Israel, converged on Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast this month for the 23rd Maccabi Lawn Bowls Carnival. Hosted this year by Maccabi NSW, the event delivered a packed week of competition, social events, and interstate camaraderie.

The Carnival officially opened on Sunday 3 August with a heartfelt ceremony. A candle was lit in honour of Warren Zines, and the presence of the Israeli national team added a meaningful international dimension.

Games kicked off that morning, with morning and afternoon sessions running daily throughout the week. Events included open-gender pairs and triples, state vs state clashes, and international matchups featuring teams from VIC, NSW, WA and Israel.

In and amongst the competition were plenty of opportunities for the group to connect. Sunday evening featured a scenic river cruise, giving players the chance to socialise off the green. On Monday night, the presentation of the coveted Australian playing shirts was a proud and memorable moment for all selected bowlers. By Wednesday evening, bowlers swapped their whites for something a bit dressier at a dinner hosted at the Cavill Hotel in Surfers Paradise – a night of good food, lively conversation and mid-week reflections.

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons were reserved for a special Test Series between Australia’s best and the Israeli team. The top 10 male and female performers from the Carnival were selected to represent Australia in singles, pairs, triples and fours. On Tuesday, the Australian women won both their games, with the men taking one of two. Thursday saw a fresh line-up of five men and five women take on Israel in a second round of spirited competition.

Friday wrapped up the action with the final round of games and play-offs, followed by the official closing ceremony. After a week of fierce but friendly competition, the Carnival ended with a strong sense of connection, pride and appreciation for the volunteers, organisers and players who brought it all together.

A big thank you to Maccabi NSW Lawn Bowls for hosting and for helping make the Israeli team’s visit possible. Their support brought an invaluable international edge to the week, reinforcing what Maccabi sport is all about: community, connection, and a shared love of the game.

For more information, contact Maccabi Ajax Lawn Bowls Club: glasky@hotmail.com