Bowl up to honour memory of Lincoln Powell

Friends, family and the wider community will gather at the Bramble Bay Bowls Club on February 14 to raise money for brain cancer research in memory of Lincoln Powell.

Lincoln was 43 when a brain tumour claimed his life in 2016 and since 2017 his beloved Bramble Bay Bowls Club has hosted an event to raise money for brain cancer research at the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, building on fundraising efforts that started after he was diagnosed.

His mum, Wendy, says it is a fitting backdrop for the barefoot bowls, raffles and auctions that help raise the money for research.

“Lincoln was a member of the social club and he kept coming down even when he was not able to work,” she says.

Memorial day

“He said he wanted to have two wakes because he liked a beer and his mates were either at the Belvedere or here.”

At Lincoln’s Bramble Bay wake, general manager Brendan Rodgers offered to host a memorial day in his honour.

By coincidence, the first memorial day was held on Lincoln’s birthday – February 19.

“They made a great big cake with `Good bloke, Great Loss’ on it,” Wendy says.

Out of the blue

Dad Peter says Lincoln had been driving a truck filled with beer and had stopped to deliver it when he had his first seizure – the first indication anything was wrong.

“When he woke up, the ambulance driver had taken his keys and he demanded to know why,” Wendy says.

Lincoln was taken to hospital, where initial scans cleared him, and was waiting on a urine test when a doctor called him into another room.

“They told us he had a tumour the size of a Mars bar,” Wendy recalls.

“When he told his mates, they said the doctor must be wrong….it must be the size of a Snickers because he’s nutty!”

Supporting community

Bramble Bay Bowls Club marketing manager Scott Davidson says the club is pleased to be able to support the community by hosting events such as Lincoln’s Day.

“We’re donating 100 percent of all proceeds to the charity,” he says.

Since the first Lincoln’s Day in 2017, the event has raised more than $24,000, all of which has been donated to the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

The fun is on February 14 from 10am, with live music from 3pm. Barefoot bowling costs $10, with all proceeds donated to QIMR. No bookings are needed, but guests will need to sign in electronically on the day to meet COVID-19 requirements.

Sausages will be available for a gold coin donation and there will be raffles and auctions, with goods donated by local businesses.

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