Born: Kondinin, W.A
16 May 1924 – 2 November 2011
Western Australia’s pre-eminent women’s lawn bowls personality, Connie Hicks, has the unique distinction of being the first bowler to represent Australia and serve as president of the Australian Women’s Bowling Council.
After living in a variety of WA country towns until she was aged 14, Connie’s lack of sporting involvement changed in 1944 when she married footballer Charlie Hicks, a member of West Perth’s 1941 premiership team.
After his retirement from football. Charlie took up lawn bowls and it was he husband’s love of the sport that attracted Connie’s interest and at the age of 29, she joined him at the Royal Park club in North Perth.
In 1961, she claimed the first of 10 State titles over the next 23 years, starting with the State handicap singles and followed in the same year by the State pairs.
Connie was appointed women’s president at Royal Park in 1962, a position she held until 1969. This led her into higher administration, culmination in the State presidency from 1979-81 and then the national president’s role from 1981-1983.
Meanwhile, her husband reigned as State men’s president from 1980-82.
Her State representation extended from 1964 through until 1990.
In 1969 she won her first national title in the pairs championship.
The same year she played for Australia against South Africa and at the first women’s World Championships held in England she took the silver medal in the triples. At her third world championships in Sydney in 1977, she won gold in the fours, the pinnacle of an illustrious playing career.
The family connection continued in 1983 when she and her husband Charlie shared in winning the State Open mixed fours title and in 1996, their son Lindsay won the Queensland State pairs.
A life member of both the WA Ladies Bowling Association and the Royal Park club, Connie Hicks was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 1988.