Leigh Bishop

Navy man had passion for bowls

Born:  2 March 1922

Died: 26 February 2016

Leigh Bishop was so passionate about sport that after serving in the navy in World War Two he decided to marry Margaret Crawford on a Monday in July 1946 so he could play football on Saturday.

Leigh Bishop was born in Ulverstone and served with the navy in World War Two on the HMAS Kangaroo from 21 March 1943 to 14 April 1943 and aboard the HMAS Karangi from 19 May 1943 to 30 June 1943, and 1 August 1943 and 5 August 1943.  Both ships served in Darwin.

Throughout his 20s, Mr Bishop played sport.  He took up bowls in 1951 and enjoyed a 65-year career as a pennant bowler.

In 1976, he won a silver medal in World bowls fours in 1976, and he played 104 games for the Tasmanian state team, and won countless singles, pairs, triples and fours titles.

Mr Bishop also reached great heights as a sports administrator.  He was the Australian Bowls Council president from 1977 until 1979 and also a delegate to the International Bowls Board, and held many roles with his clubs Burnie and South Burnie, the North-Western Tasmanian Bowls Association and Tasmanian Bowls Council.

Mr Bishop's dedication as a coach and mentor of footballers, and leader with the Burnie Football Club was also recognised, as was his long membership of the Masonic Lodge, and war service.