Following in her late father's footsteps East Shepparton Bowls Club member Stacey Collier got a taste of lawn bowls at an early age, but in her 25 years of involvement since Collier has made a name for herself across the Goulburn Valley and further abroad.
The success she has had in lawn bowls over that period has been further recognised, with Collier one of 24 people nominated for Greater Shepparton City Council's Sports Hall of Fame.
Collier has won eight Goulburn Valley titles, a state under-18 title in 1998, an Australian under-18 title in 1999 and state singles and fours titles in 2000 and has represented her home region and state on several occasions across her career, but her ultimate highlight came at the turn of the century, when she triumphed in the 2000 world under-25 singles championship, when she was representing Australia.
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“My major highlight was winning the world under-25 championship overseas — that was on Jersey island (between England and France),” Collier said.
“Apart from that, there has been plenty of times where I have had the chance to represent Australia and, also Victoria, right through junior and senior levels and I’ve had success all along.”
It's that success that keeps Collier returning to the sport year after year and also after the break she had to start a family.
“The success I’ve had over my career (has kept me coming back),” she said.
“I started bowling when I was 10 and first made the state side when I was 14.
“At 22, I had my first child, so I was off bowls for a few years and when I came back, my family encouraged me to try for the state side again and keep going and that’s what I’ve done.”
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Collier said the sport was important to her as it gave balance to her life.
“It's something for me to do apart from being a mum and working (at the Shepparton Bowls Shop),” she said.
“You meet different people along the way.
“I enjoy playing in the Vic Open here in Shepparton every year in November and to catch up with friends from years ago and meet new friends.
“It's (the Vic Open) a good atmosphere.”
Much like she did, Collier's oldest son Bailey Leask also took up the sport at a young age and he has had success as well.
“My eldest son, he is nearly 17, he’s played on and off the last few years,” Collier said.
“He’s not playing at the moment, but he’s represented Victoria as well as a junior."
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When asked what it meant to be nominated, Collier said she was “lost for words”.
“I know I have achieved so much, but there is a lot of other people that have achieved just as much, if not more,” she said.
“I’m absolutely honoured to be able to be nominated for the hall of fame with some of the greats of the Goulburn Valley.
“To have my family there, who have supported me the whole way through — Dad isn’t here any more, he passed away, but I have Mum, my four kids, my partner Peter, brothers and sisters and extended family.
“To have them all with me on the night will be just amazing.”
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