Goulburn’s Commonwealth Games gold medal winning lawn bowler, Ellen Ryan, will be honoured with a civic parade, Goulburn Mulwaree Council has announced today.
The lawn bowler, who took the top podium position in the Games singles and pairs events, will be celebrated during the parade down Auburn Street from 12pm on Friday 26 August.
The 2016 Goulburn Sporting Hall of Fame inductee will be driven down Auburn Street in a 1967 Mustang Convertible.
The event will be followed by a civic reception at the Goulburn Railway Bowling Club from 12.30pm.
Ellen says she received many messages of support while competing in Birmingham.
“While I was away I felt all the love and support from the Goulburn community,” she said.
“It was amazing driving back into town and already having so many people congratulating me.
“I’m such a lucky girl and I look forward to celebrating with everyone on 26 August.”
Ellen achieved a number of firsts in Birmingham. She became the first ever Australian lawn bowler to win gold on UK soil when she claimed first place in the women’s singles. She was also the first player in history to take home the singles and pairs gold at the same event, male or female, thanks to her second gold medal with Kristina Krstic in the pairs.
The final in the pairs was an edge of the seat affair, with Bowls Australia writing that “Ryan’s final bowl (is) arguably now the most monumental in Australian bowls history”.
Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor, Peter Walker said the parade and civic reception were fitting recognition for the lawn bowler’s achievements in Birmingham.
“Ellen’s bowls resume is simply outstanding, particularly when you consider she’s only 25 and still has many years left in the sport,” Mayor Walker said.
“To win not just gold by herself, but to partner up with her best friend and win the pairs in such exciting circumstances is fantastic. Ellen showed such a calm, cool head to claim that second gold medal, and I know all of Goulburn Mulwaree is very proud of her and what she has achieved so far.
“She is an outstanding ambassador for Goulburn Mulwaree, and I encourage everyone to come to Auburn Street on Friday 26 August at lunchtime to cheer Ellen on.
“We would also love to see as many of the schools come down to Auburn Street as possible,” he said.
