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Local Clubs Fight Television Lawn Bowls Cuts Last week Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe together with 17 Liberal and National MPs tabled petitions in the Victorian Legislative Assembly with 2413 signatures from lawn bowls clubs in their electorate. By Russell Northe - 25th October 2011 - Back to News The petition calls on the Federal Minister for Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, to restore coverage of the sport on ABC Television.
"Our local bowls club do a fantastic job of providing for our community members, with great facilities and enthusiastic committee members and staff," Mr Northe said.
"It is a shame that the Federal Government have decided to remove this favourite pastime of many of our elder community members and local clubs."
President of Bowls Australia Joe Aarons OAM and President of Bowls Victoria Graeme Hosken joined Mr Northe and other MP’s at the Parliamentary lawn bowls green during Parliament last week with the Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty.
"In the spirit of the great Australian movie Cracker Jack, lawn bowl viewers are up in arms about the decision of the ABC to stop broadcasting the sport," Minister for Sport and Recreation Hugh Delahunty said.
"This decision to dump this programming after 30 years on the ABC is a blow to the 800,000 Australians who take part in bowls annually.
"The exposure and awareness that regular television coverage gives lawn bowls is vital to ongoing participation in the sport. The ABC’s programming decision will have a detrimental effect on the number of new players and supporters.
"The ABC’s charter states that it is required to provide a balanced between wide appeal and specialised broadcasting programs and the 200,000 Australians who watch this sport each week will be disadvantaged by this decision.
"I urge all Victorians to send a strong message to the ABC and to the Federal Labor Government," Mr Delahunty said.
Victorians can still sign the petition at local bowls clubs, Coalition MP’s offices or online Bowls Australia at www.bowlsaustralia.com.au
Minister for Sport & Recreation Hugh Delahunty, President of Bowls Australia Joe Aarons OAM, President of Bowls Victoria Graeme Hosken and Member for Morwell Russell Northe
Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 5133 9088
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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