LAYCOCK, Raymond James

RAYMOND (RAY) JAMES LAYCOCK

 

Ray was born in Beechworth on 27^th August 1931. His parents were Ernest James Pierce Laycock (1902-1960) and Sara Keighrey (1902-1958). He had three brothers: Ernest Keith Laycock (1930-2011), Leonard Laycock (1933-1933) and Noel Francis Laycock (1935-1970).

His early schooling was at Beechworth. From the age of 9 he worked at the local newsagency as a delivery boy as well as working on the delivery van during the school holidays. At the age of 15, he began an apprenticeship (1947-1954) as a cabinet maker in Melbourne. He then worked at the Victorian Railway Workshop in Ballarat North.

Ray married Dalys Joy Torney (known as Billee) (1929-2007) on 13^th November, 1954 in the Creswick Methodist Church. They had 2 children, Robyn Ann Laycock (Oswin) in 1955 and Ross Gregory Laycock in 1957.

Ray and Billee built their home at 51 Clunes Rd, Creswick. In 1978 Ray and Billee purchased and ran the Mixed Business shop in Creswick North for 8 years.

The first bowling green in Creswick was opened in 1876 at Leopold Park (later known as Hammon Park). In 1932 the green was moved to a site near the corner of Albert and Victoria Streets. The last move was from there to Lindsay Park in 2014

Ray Laycock joined the Creswick Bowling Club in 1956 at the age of 25. At that time, he was the youngest player ever to have played with Creswick. This was the start of 60 years of service to the Club in many roles and the start of a championship career that not only brought honour to Creswick and the Bowling Club, but also to the Victorian, Australian and International bowling scene.

In 1958 he became a member of the Bowling Club’s Committee. This was at a time of great growth at the bowling green in Albert St. A new green was built on the site of the tennis court adjoining the existing green. The tennis court had been moved to Cushing Avenue. Construction of the green was done by members of the Bowling Club over 2 years and it was opened for play in1959. One of the two greens was considered to be one of the best in the Association.

Ray was Works Manager for several years and oversaw the renovations and extensions to the Clubhouse. He organized working bees, maintained the buildings and surrounds. His organizational and admin skills extended to most major events at Club level, both socially and competitively.

In 1962 a new kitchen was built in the Clubhouse by Fred Hepworth. Ray, being a cabinet maker, assisted Fred as well as organizing the working bees, some 18 in number. The old wooden green shelters were replaced by new ones. In 1965 a new and separate men’s toilet was added. Then a sand shelter on a concrete slab.

To finish the Clubhouse, new collapsible tables were produced at Bill Mizzeni’s farm using tubular steel. Bill was assisted in this project by Ray and others.

His organizational and administrative skills were also used to organize competitions, fund raising and social events, including the Annual Dinner.

          He was a selector from 1960 until 2003

A committee member from 1958 until 2005.

          Club president 1967-68

Green Caretaker from 1987 then progressively assuming the role of Greenkeeper until 1996. This involved mowing up to 3 times weekly, rolling the greens, watering and all the other aspects of maintaining high-class grass greens.

          Coach for Creswick teams and the Smeaton Ladies.

          Mens Indoor Bowls Secretary/Treasurer 1982-95.

One story about Ray is the tale of the donated piano. Once the Club was gifted a piano by the local chemist, Mr Ken Barrell. Transporting it through main street to the Clubhouse, it fell off the trailer right in front of the chemist shop!! Not to be defeated Ray painstakingly repaired the cabinetry while his wife, Billee, a gifted pianist, repaired the keys and other working parts. It then continued its’ journey to the Club House.

Ray achieved many bowling successes. These are just a few of them:

• Club Champion 9 times.
• He played at State level starting in 1969. In 2001 a Creswick District News article stated that he had played 192 State games over 20 years.
• During that time he was a State Selector and State Coach.
• He represented Australia at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1986.In 1985, the Creswick Bowling Club conferred Life Membership on him; recognizing his long membership on the Committee since 1958; Selector since 1960; his 2 years of Presidency; many years of service as Works Manager, including several years of renovations and extensions to the Clubhouse, and a term as Greenkeeper. His administrative skills extended to organising most major events at Club level, both socially and competitively.

In his honour a green at the Albert St. site was named the Ray Laycock Green which recorded “the passionate dedication of an outstanding sportsman and administrator”.

Nationally he was honoured with the presentation of the Australian Sports Medal and in 2000 the Royal Victorian Bowls Association’s “Medal of Merit”.

He was Creswick’s Sportsman of the Year 5 times.

Ray played bowls until he was in his 80’s. He died on 26/12/2021, aged 90.