Kyabram’s first family of lawn bowls, the Cartwrights, had strong representation at the inaugural three-day Sporting Schools Australia lawn bowls championships at Sunbury Bowling Club.
Olivia, 18, Josh, 16, and 12-year-old Jacob, were selected in the 15-member squad to contest the titles against New South Wales.
The opening day of the event included an MCG tour and opening ceremony at Sunbury Bowls Club, before two days of competition — fours, triples, pairs and singles.
Josh, Jacob and Olivia played in all but the singles, Olivia and Jacob, playing together in pairs and fours.
Josh was in another group, while Echuca’s Jacob Brighton was in the third team of five.
Rochester’s Cameron Keenan did not play in the event.
All three had wins against a more experienced New South Wales team, continuing their regularly state representation.
Next year the same event will be held in Tweed Heads and is expected to include a Queensland team.
Olivia will this year bowl with the Moama club and is expected to challenge for a position in the Bendigo Campaspe Goldfields Premier League team.
She competed in a five-member Moama team, alongside Kevin Anderson, Barry Brennan, Peter Campbell and Cameron Keenan, in the Victorian Bowls League two weeks ago.
Moama won two of its three games and finished third of the eight teams.
Moama plays its first Premier League game on October 8, but Olivia will be at the national titles.
They had a practice game against Kyabram last weekend, when Olivia bowled lead for Barry Brennan against her brother Jake, also in a lead role.
Josh also played with Kyabram team, on another rink, while father David skipped another rink.
Olivia will compete with the open women’s Victorian fours side at the national titles. She competed in a test series with a similar team last month.