Tavite (50), who represented Tonga in singles and pairs at the recent Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, headed off strong competition to claim the prestigious award ahead of Carolyn Crawford (St Clair) and the North East Valley duo of Shona Mann and Sarah Scott.
Crawford and Scott were two of the stars in female competition at the national championships earlier this year.
The holder of no fewer than nine centre titles, Tavite burst into contention for the award following a superb run of form on the local scene over the summer months in which she won the Dunedin open singles title, finished runner-up in the open triples and champion of champion pairs, and was third-equal in open pairs and champion of champion triples.
In winning the prized Millie Khan Memorial last night, Tavite will surely reflect on what what has been a very competitive season among the region’s top female lawn bowlers.
Joko Susilo (Andersons Bay) may be a man of many talents, but it was his lawn bowls ability that turned many a head during the national championships earlier this year, as he progressed through to post-section play. At last night’s awards, Susilo was awarded the Stan Seear Trophy for Dunedin male bowler of the year.
A very competitive bowler, Susilo won two centre titles during the year, the champion of champion pairs and champion of champion triples, while finishing runner-up in the open singles and finished third in the open pairs.
Commonwealth Games and world championship medallist Mike Kernaghan (North East Valley/Kaikorai) was presented with a fourth bar to the gold star at the awards. Kernaghan has now won an incredible 25 centre titles since his first in 1988.
A 15th centre title during the year meant Janet Swallow (Taieri) was awarded a second bar to gold star. Swallow won her first centre title in the champion of champion singles in 1996.
Taieri Bowling Club’s innovative approach in showcasing the sport through such platforms as live streaming when hosting the 2017-18 National Club Championshipsearned it the the club of the year award.
Robbie Gibson was green keeper of the year, with Bryan Williamson of Wakari runner-up. John Latimer, of the Dunedin lawn bowls stadium was administrator of the year while volunteer awards went to Jean Shelton (Tainui), Geoff Simons (Roslyn) and Judy Wyatt (Balmacewen).
