CELEBRATING his 90th birthday on Sunday 7 August, former Bowraville boy, and long-time Scotts Heads bowling legend, Bart Scrivener, will be joined by his three children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren for a big birthday bash this weekend.

“Even my son and his family from London are coming and I’ve not seen them for six years,” Bart told News Of The Area.

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He’s excited and so he should be, with some 85 family, friends and fellow bowlers making up the birthday party at Club Scotts in Scotts Head where Bart is a life member and patron.

Born in Bowraville in 1932, Bart went to school at the 14-pupil local village school until graduating to Coffs High School aged 12.

“It was a 12-hour day getting there; the bus to Macksville, the train to Coffs and the short walk into school, and then back again at night.”

Driving trucks all his life, when Bart reached the age of 60 his doctor told him he’d had enough bumps and bashes, it was time to retire, so he did, and moved to Scotts Heads in 1992.

Sadly, his wife Elaine passed away in 2011.

With “nothing to do” in his new town, he saw a need for building up the local fire brigade.

“I’d been a volunteer at Bowraville Fire Brigade – I was awarded the Queen’s Medal and am a life member – I had the experience of a local fire service, so with a small group of others we founded the Scotts Head Rural Fire Brigade.”

He also started playing bowls, and took to it.

“I’ve achieved most things now, in bowls.”

He’s been the President and Vice President of the Bowling Club as well as President of the Over 60s Bowling Club.

Happily calling the raffles every Friday at Scotts Club, playing a game a week … or fortnight, and a little bit of gardening, he says he’s happy every day he wakes up.

“Every day is a bonus if you wake up,” he said, joking.

A genuinely jolly sort, his philosophy is, “Laugh and the world laughs with you…”

Club Scotts President/Chairperson, Laura Peisley told News Of The Area, “Bart Scrivener has been a distinguished patron of Club Scotts since initially frequenting Scotts Head in the 1970s, spending many of these years contributing his time and services for the betterment of the club.

“In addition to ongoing volunteer roles to assist the board of directors on Friday night raffles, Bart has played an important role in leading the bowls sub club and subsequent competition days,” she said.

“Competitive in many categories, Bart has achieved his fair share of wins and has represented Club Scotts with pride.

“Providing over 27 years’ service on the bowls committee, Bart spent seven years as Vice-President followed by six years as President.

“His initiative and leadership in generating sponsorships has been an asset to the club with over $4,000 contributed annually.

“Bart’s recruitment of major sponsors for exclusive bowls events has been advantageous for the bowls sub club and subsequently Club Scotts.”

As the world has sped up around us, Bart maintained the heart to continue volunteering at Club Scotts leading to achieving life membership status in 2020.

“While Bart enjoys a couple of Friday raffle schooners, in his voice as distinctive as Ray Warren, his master motive is making friends and working together for the common good of Club Scotts.

“As a member of over 40 years, and a dear life member, Club Scotts along with the Scrivener family are sending Bart the very best of wishes on his 90th birthday,” said Laura.

By Andrea FERRARI