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Age no barrier in Ten Pin Bowling
Mon, May 09 2011
At 92-years of age Bette Whetstone is by far the oldest competitor in the 2011 Arafura Games, but playing sports at her age is “nothing special”, she says.
“I’m not going too bad for someone my age – my sport is keeping me fit. And my son’s cooking,” the spry South Australian tenpin bowler said.
More than half a century ago, at the age of 40, Bette first picked up a ball in a tenpin bowling competition – and lost her heart to the sport.
“I just love it, it’s so much fun,” the retired shop-owner and housewife said.
“Twice a week I train in Adelaide and every two years I come to the Arafura Games.”
Bette’s Arafura Games history began in 2001 – when her son, Colin, decided to compete in the pistol shooting events.
“I packed my car and told her I was going to Darwin for the Games,” the now 69-year-old remembered.
“She grabbed a bag, threw it in the car, and said ‘Awesome, I want to come’. That’s how it all started for us with Arafura.”
Neither Bette nor Colin have missed the biennial sporting event since.
“Arafura is like a family for us – we wouldn’t want to miss it; we love it, ” Bette said.
“And it’s not abouty winning medals – it’s about being a part of it. It’s the company of the great people who make Arafura what it is.”
For the 2011 Arafura Games the bowler took eight weeks off from her “home duties” – being mum to her six grown-up children, 14 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren and the 8th and 9th great great grandchild on the way.
“We drove all the way up from Adelaide, my son and I,” she said. “On the way home we’re going via Cairns to see one of my daughters and via Canberra to see one of the grandsons.
“I didn’t drive when we came up, but I will on the way back.”
The 2011 Arafura Games Tenpin Bowling competition runs until Thurdsday from 8.30am to 6pm, at Planet Tenpin, Nighcliff.
The ISSF shooting, in which Bette’s son Colin Whetstone is competing, is on until Friday at Mickett Creek shooting range.
More information Arafura Games Media Centre: (08) 8982 2333