Vic Dominates at Lawn Bowls Carnival in Queensland

Victoria has returned from the 2026 Maccabi Lawn Bowls National Carnival with both the men’s and women’s shields after almost a week of competition on the Gold Coast.

More than 70 Jewish bowlers from Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia took part in the carnival, which began at Mermaid Waters Bowling Club on 2 August.

Victoria sent a team of 21 men and eight women. Most competed in pairs each morning and triples each afternoon, bowling around 100 bowls a day over five and a half days.

Before play began, the Warren Zines Memorial Torch was lit and a minute’s silence was observed in memory of the Australian lawn bowler who died in the 1997 Maccabiah Games bridge collapse.

On the green, one of the week’s highlights was an all-Victorian Premier League men’s pairs final. Len Gross and Michael Yelen won gold after defeating Alan Faigen and Gary Lasky by just one shot, 19-18.

The women’s pairs final ended in an 11-all draw, with Victorians Edna Lipson and Mandy Shochet sharing gold with New South Wales pair Rene Saidman and Marna Morris.

Victoria also picked up medals across the mixed triples competition. Mervyn Same, Ila Cieszynski and Barry Rockman won their section, while Brian Cammerman, Mandy Shochet and David Kinston finished third in the same group. The two teams played out a draw when they met during the competition.

Arnold Mahemoff’s triples team also earned bronze, while Victoria’s Martin Block received the Carnival Mensch Award.

There was plenty happening away from the greens too, including lunches, dinners and social activities throughout the week. The Victorian team came together for its own dinner at Kurrawa Surf Life Saving Club on Tuesday night.