Victorian centenarian and Shepparton’s oldest resident, Edna Harling, has passed away at the age of 107 following a brief period of illness.
Her daughter, Jenny Cussen, confirmed the news on Monday, saying her beloved mum had died surrounded by family last Friday.
Edna was a Goulburn Valley lawn bowls legend, having played competition bowls for more than half a century in a career which saw her reach the highest levels in Australia.
Born two months after the start of World War I in 1914, Edna grew up on the family farm near Kerang where she met and married a local school teacher, Chris Harling.
She was a natural sportswoman and played basketball, tennis, golf and table tennis. One of the couple’s first moves was to Red Cliffs where she was introduced to lawn bowls by Red Cliffs resident, Dot Jenkinson, who was a former duel world champion bowler.
Edna developed an immediate love for the game and as the family moved to other towns and schools, bowls became a wonderful way in which to get to know the locals and become a part of the community.
There were places, such as Mirboo North in 1963, when she became the Victorian bowls champion and followed her victory up with another state title in 1964.
Then it was off to Somerville and Castlemaine. During this time she won her first state pairs title with Hilda Farquharson and her second state pairs with the Goulburn Valley’s Mavis Meadowcroft.
During the time of moves to Kerang, Frankston and Sale, Edna gathered a host of club championships and the highlight of her career in 1968 when she was chosen to represent Australia against South Africa.
It was lucky for Goulburn Valley that in 1979 Edna and Chris decided to retire to the city of Shepparton where their daughter lived.
The Harling’s naturally joined the bowling fraternity and were foundation members of the Shepparton Park Bowling Club. Her husband Chris was the inaugural President with Edna the inaugural Secretary. Edna relished her new club and continued to practice hard to keep up her standard.
It is incredible to look at Edna’s sporting record, which includes being a member of the Australian bowls team, Victorian Singles Champion, Victorian Singles Champion of Champions and three times Victorian Pairs Champion. She was a member of the Victorian team for 22 years.
At 94 years of age, Edna skipped the Shepparton Park team to a State Pennant Championship in the 2004/5 season. Her team involvement was very successful as she won 21 pennant division 1 premierships – 19 as skipper.
Her regional representation saw her win 14 Association Singles titles along with three State Country Singles Championships.
On the day that Edna was to commence her 56th year of competitive bowling she was presented with the first Life Membership ever awarded by the Shepparton Park Bowling Club. Goulburn Valley Lady bowlers now play for the Edna Harling Shield.
Edna has been an outstanding achiever on the bowling green and will forever be remembered for her dedication to the sport for over half a century.
