Helping others has always been part of Rowley Bone’s life – through his sporting, social and community affiliations. Today it’s more important than ever, and something he does because he wants to give other people the same opportunities he has had.
Rowley grew up in Corio and attended the former Corio Technical School before embarking on a 44-year career in the auto industry, which took him all over the world.
Rowley has a long association with the North Shore Football Netball Club – as a player, coach, administrator, team manager and supporter. He is a Hall of Fame Member and Life Member and is particularly proud of the role he played on the Board of Management of the recreation club when it made the decision to remove poker machines from the venue.
A passion for North Shore and the broader community sees Rowley also involved with the Windsor Park Working Committee. The group’s membership includes Member for Corio Richard Marles, Member for Lara Ella George, Windermere Ward councillors Anthony Aitken and Sarah Hathway, and representatives of Norlane Community Centre, North Shore Football Netball Club, North Shore Cricket Club and the community. It meets quarterly to discuss the Master Plan for the precinct and seek funding opportunities to bring it to reality.
After retiring from work, Rowley spent five years as a Red Cross patient transport volunteer. He transported patients to appointments all over Geelong and Melbourne and “loved every minute of it”.
More recently, Rowley has joined the volunteer team at Norlane Community Centre, where he spends one day a week at the centre and another at its opportunity shop in Wendover Avenue, including the food relief program.
Rowley said he volunteers because he wants to help give others the opportunities he had growing up in the area – through sport and school.
“I see the value of that and want it to continue and grow,” he said. “It’s about looking at how we can help make the area better.”