The Sunshine Coast is preparing for an exceptional and memorable 2026 Sunshine Coast Winter Carnival ❄️🎉. After many years of dedicated service, long‑standing Coordinator Barry Sullivan has retired 🙌, leaving a legacy of commitment and professionalism that has greatly contributed to the success of the carnival ⭐. We extend our sincere appreciation to Barry for his outstanding work 👏 and are pleased to note that he intends to remain connected with the event and its many friends in the years ahead 🤝.
To ensure the continued success of the carnival, a new committee comprising representatives from all host clubs has been established 🏆. We are pleased to welcome our new Event Coordinator, Gail Clewett 🎯, along with both new and returning committee members from across the Sunshine Coast 🌞.
The committee is working diligently to deliver another excellent two‑week program featuring competitive play 🎳, strong camaraderie 🤗, and the enjoyable social atmosphere for which the Sunshine Coast is well known 🌴. Whether reconnecting with familiar faces 😊 or meeting new participants 👋, players will have ample opportunity to enjoy quality bowls and the renowned hospitality offered by our host venues 🍽️.
The 2026 Carnival will be held from 3–17 July 📅 and is once again attracting strong interest, including enquiries from interstate and New Zealand ✈️🇳🇿. Event bookings will open in early January via our website 💻, and we encourage participants to register promptly to secure their preferred events ⏳. Our Winter Carnival Bowls Magazine will be released by Christmas 🎄 and available for distribution thereafter.
For further information, please contact: 📞
Ian Heiner
SCDBA Winter Carnival Chair
Email: idheiner@bigpond.com Ph. 0447 953 006
Gail Clewett
SCDBA Winter Carnival Coordinator
Email: scdba.wcevents@gmail.com Ph: 0407 593 193
Testimonies
I thought I was signing up for a quiet week of bowls… turns out I accidentally joined the funniest mob on the Coast. Between the friendly sledging, the surprise hot streaks, and the post‑game shenanigans, I haven’t laughed this hard in years. Already polishing my bowls for next winter.
Ashton Rumbel Come By Chance (NSW)
I came home with a dodgy tan line, a trophy I definitely didn’t expect, and about twelve new mates who all claim they ‘carried me’. The carnival is pure joy — a perfect mix of good bowls, good people, and good‑natured nonsense. Book me in for life.
Ron Morris Eggs and Bacon Bay (TAS)
Sure, everyone pretends they’re here for the bowls — but we all know it’s the bragging rights, the belly‑laughs, and the nightly debriefs that keep us coming back. The Winter Carnival is the only place you can lose by 10 and still walk off the green grinning
Norman McVicker 🏞️ Waikikamukau, New Zealand
Reviews
An absolute cracker of a carnival! Brilliant bowls, brilliant people, and more laughs than should be legal on a winter’s day. Already counting down to the next one. 🧑 Bazza “Lord of the Wobbly delivery” Wright, Humpybong (QLD)
★★★★★
Bowls, banter, and barely‑legal levels of laughter. If good times were a crime, this carnival would be doing life. Couldn’t fault a thing — except maybe my own delivery. 🧍 Brian “Wick Apprentice” Turner, Useless Loop, WA
★★★★★
The most fun you can have with your shoes on. Sunshine, shenanigans, and a suspicious amount of friendly sledging. I left with sore ribs from laughing and sore feet from pretending I can still skip. 👤 Bluey “Master of accidental draws” Reed, Budgee Budgee, NSW
★★★★★
🎯 WRONG BIAS HALL OF SHAME (or FAME). Some say it’s a mistake. We call it character building. From bowls that take the scenic route to deliveries that appear to be actively fleeing the head, the Carnival has seen every flavour of wrong bias — and people honour each one like the heroic misadventure it is. 👤 Doreen “Paranormal Bias” Griggs, Mount Buggery (VIC)
★★★★★
🌀 THE GREAT WRONG BIAS ROUND‑UP Five stars, would bowl again — mostly because my bowl is still out there somewhere, orbiting the jack like a confused satellite. Great day, great people, and only one minor identity crisis. 👤 Meryl “Wrong Rink Again” Thompson, Myponga (SA)
