Vale Dorothy Roche, 93

The Central Coast bowls community lost one of its most decorated members when Dorothy Roche of Bateau Bay died on November 11 at the age of 93.

A member of Bowls Australia’s Hall of Fame, Mrs Roche was one of the most decorated players in Australian bowls history, with multiple international accolades to her name.

Australian cap number 27, she represented the green and gold between 1985 and 1993 at several international events including World Championships, Commonwealth Games and Asia Pacific Games.

A three-time World Champion (Melbourne 1985 fours, Auckland 1988 triples and fours) and skip of the 1990 Commonwealth Games gold medal fours line-up, Mrs Roche became Australia’s oldest gold medal winner with her success at the 1990 Auckland Commonwealth Games at the age of 61.

A late-comer to the sport, Mrs Roche was nearly 50 before taking up competitive bowls in 1975.

Following on from her Commonwealth Games success in 1990 she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to lawn bowls.

Mrs Roche not only dominated at international level, but also enjoyed plenty of success nationally, state-wide in NSW and with her local clubs, first at Merrylands and more recently at Gosford.

In 2015, she was inducted into the Bowls Australia Hall of Fame (1975-99 Athlete section).

Son, John Roche, said his mother moved to Gosford in 2002 with husband Colin, joining Gosford City Bowling Club and winning club and district singles.

Following the death of her husband Dorothy moved into a retirement village at Bateau Bay.

Mrs Roche is survived by sons Paul, Glenn and John and five grandchildren.

Source:
Media release, Nov 22
John Roche