The Mandurah Bowling and Recreation Club (MBRC) teamed up with members from surrounding outfits to raise funds for the family of state lawn bowls figure Daniel “Pup” Patterson on Tuesday night, who lost his life in a mining-related truck driving accident last week.
Patterson, 28, died when his truck veered off the road at Rio Tinto’s Channar iron ore mine in Paraburdoo last Wednesday, in a tragedy that shocked the WA bowling community.
The young father was one of the state’s top representative players and a popular member of the Cambridge Bowling Club, tallying 66 appearances since his debut in 2012.
In an effort to raise money for the GoFundMe page set up to help Patterson’s family, the MBRC hosted 56 players in a men’s fours tournament earlier this week.
Patterson’s mother, father and brother attended the event, which saw state bowls legends John Slavich, Dennis Katurnrich, Ron Taylor and Lindsay Thorn (who share a combined 847 games of experience) competing on the one rink.
The MBRC raised a total $2981 on the night, with secretary Deanne Tyers saying the club felt it was “imperative” to lend a hand.
“To have such a tragedy shock our bowling community, we felt it was very important that we do what we can to help,” she said.
“Daniel had a young family with a 12-week-old baby, so for us to raise a few dollars was an easy decision.
“To have members of Daniel’s family travel all the way from Carine to be there on the night was really special.”
Justin Rake
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
Sports journalist for the Mandurah Mail, Australian Community Media, Fairfax Media.
