by Keith Kratzmann
The South Burnett has produced many cricketing, boxing and rugby league sporting legends over the last century.
But not many people know it has also produced one of Queensland’s finest indoor bowlers.
Wondai’s Vince Lakin, who recently celebrated his 84th birthday, has gone from being a foundation member of the Dalby Indoor Bowls Club to achieving State titles in singles, pairs, triples and fours championships.
His greatest triumph came in 1966 when he took out the State singles at Toowoomba from a star-studded field of 210 players.
Born in Murgon in 1931, Vince is the son of former Mondure farmers Howard and Lillian Lakin.
He returned to the Mondure property from Dalby when his parents passed away, and soon became a member of the Wondai Indoor Bowls Club.
Not long afterwards he was elected president, a position he has since held continuously for the last 38 years.
Apart from a dominance in local championships and trophy events, Vince has skipped many victorious Wondai rinks at a number of southern Queensland tournaments.
He has also been an Australian umpire for more than 28 years, and still conducts exams for new players throughout Queensland.
After leaving the Mondure property, he was employed by the late Bernie Sempf for six years, then spent a further 10 years with Alkaloids Of Australia’s duboisia processing plant at Memerambi.
The Wondai Club committee is currently preparing for its annual weekend tournament on April 16-17 when indoor bowls teams from various parts of southern Queensland will converge on the Wondai Town Hall for a weekend of competition.
As usual, Vince Lakin – the South Burnett’s premiere indoor bowler – will be there to welcome them.
Very proud of my Uncle Vince. Keep bowling xx