Whilst not Clarence Town born and bred, Di and husband Rod have called the village home for the past 15 years.

“We wanted a tree change,” Dianne said.

“People thought we were mad coming from Belmont to the bush, but we wanted more space. And it was the best move we ever made.

“We used to come into the club for a quiet drink and then I started playing bowls in 2000.

“I soon became secretary of the ladies bowls and then I was asked whether I would work in the office as accounts clerk-manager.

“I have a background in accounting and I took on the role from 2001 to 2005.”

In 2008 the board resigned and Dianne was requested to come back into the management role.

She did and the club has gone from being in the red to making an increasing profit over the past four years.

“The board has turned it all around into a progressive club,” Dianne said.

“A lot of changes have happened including refurbishment and upgrading of the interior of the club.

“I am happy to leave the club in the position it is now, but would still like to stay and achieve more.

“There are plans for a deck at the front which will include a gymnasium.

“I have always been interested in kids and sport and have gone from mother’s club, Little Athletics, netball and soccer and have even coached netball representative teams.

“In Clarence Town there are health problems with young women as they have nowhere to go with their children where they can exercise undercover.

“A gym would be really good for the people of the town.

“At the moment the club is waiting on a grant application . . . and hopefully it will be successful.”

Mrs Ellis is very proud of the club’s involvement in the community with just under $20,000 being raised for local projects in the past 12 months.

“The club supports the Lions Club, Rural Fire Service, Anzacs, museum, the soccer, swimming clubs and individual people needing a hand.

“The club has also been a finalist in the Club NSW Spirt of the Bush excellence awards for the past two year and has submitted another application which is currently being judged now.

“To be a finalist is amazing and very humbling as just under 1000 clubs were involved.

“But it’s time for me to move on and spend time with my husband and family.

“I’ve loved my time here, I did it because I wanted to do.”