Christopher “Arnold” O’Brien OAM to be included in Hall of Fame
Lifelong bowls administrator Christopher “Arnold” O’Brien OAM has been announced as the fourth recipient of Bowls Australia’s Hall of Fame, to occur later this year. Lifelong bowls administrator Christopher “Arnold” O’Brien OAM has been announced as the fourth recipient of Bowls Australia’s Hall of Fame, to occur later this year.
O’Brien, 82, will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame on October 26, at the national body’s 2017 Hall of Fame and Awards Night, which will be staged at Crowne Plaza Surfers Paradise.
O’Brien is this year’s first non-athlete inductee, and just the 11th of all time, from a total of 48 past and present members whose achievements date back to the 1930s.
While boasting achievements both on and off the green, O’Brien earns inclusion for his tireless work and contribution to the sport in a non-playing capacity.
His involvement in the sport spans more than 65 years, and includes accolades achieved playing, coaching, umpiring, marking and administering across club, group, region, state, national and international levels.
At an international level, O’Brien served on Bowls Australia’s selection committee in 2002, before taking the reins as Chairman for a term of three years from 2003.
He was also a marker and umpire at the sport’s premier event, in the 1980 World Bowls Championships.
From a state perspective, O’Brien had a distinguished tenure with the Royal Victorian Bowls Association (now Bowls Victoria), serving as a Councillor for 21 years in total, which included the roles of Vice President from 1994 to 1998, Deputy President from 1998 to 2000, and at the helm as President for a further three year period from 2000 to 2003.
A proud Victorian, having represented the Big V in over 200 occasions, O’Brien has also served on the state’s selection committee for 26 years, 12 of which as Chairman, and the coaching committee for 21 years, 13 as Chairman.
He was recognised with an Australian Sports Medal in 2000, and was presented with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the sport in 2004.
He was also made a life member of Bowls Victoria in 2006.
O’Brien will be included in the “2000-present – General” category of Hall of Fame membership.
Bowls Australia congratulates Arnold O’Brien OAM on his upcoming inclusion in the national Hall of Fame.
A further Hall of Fame inductee will be unveiled tomorrow, while a further special announcement will occur on Monday.
Caption: Arnold O’Brien during his tenure with RVBA. Image courtesy of Bowls Victoria.
