VICTORIAN bowlers have paid tribute to a grey nomad couple who died in
a horror highway smash in New South Wales.
Avid bowlers Linton and Lynne Gleeson, who were in their mid-60s and lived
in Broadford, died when their Mitsubishi Triton ute towing their caravan
collided with a cattle truck near Wanganella.
They were on their way to the Northern Territory but had planned to first
compete in a bowling tournament at Hay.
But they never made it ... their rig veered into the path of the B-double
travelling in the opposite direction on the Cobb Highway.
It took several hours to extricate the crumpled ute from underneath the
truck.
A report was being prepared for the Coroner.
The Gleesons were never happier than when they were on the bowling green
and during the last five years had spent many hours playing the sport
while on their regular winter travels to the northern states.
Shocked colleagues posted numerous messages of condolences on social
media.
Broadford Bowls Club, of which Mr Gleeson was a club champion and former
president, extended its "heartfelt sympathy" to the Gleeson family.
"They were both an integral part of our club as well as the wider
Broadford Community and bowling fraternity," it said on its Facebook page.
"On and off the bowling green, they were both champions and will be sadly
missed by all."
Similar sentiments were expressed by the president and members of the
Seymour VRI Bowling Club.
Meanwhile, the Hay Bowling and Golf Club wrote on Facebook of its "deepest
sympathy".
It added: "We did rally together as bowlers and showed our respect with
minute's silence at start of play.
"And if anyone got a toucher, the players all yelled out Glessooo!"
Other sporting groups also mourned the loss of the Gleesons, including the
Broadford Football Netball Club.
Mrs Gleeson was a life member of the ladies committee, while her husband
was the 1984 premiership coach and executive member of the 1996 committee
premiership year.
"Both were long-time servants of our great club," members said on Facebook.
"We send our condolences to their immediate family and the entire Gleeson
family. Our thoughts are with you."
Following the tragedy, club players wore black arm bands during their
match with Diggers Rest.