Pocket Preview: 2024 John Sullivan Senior Australian Open
By Matt Stevens
The John Sullivan Senior Australian Open is poised to continue the 2024 Senior & Grand Senior Ranked Event season at Wyncity Keon Park in Victoria this weekend.
Held at the iconic Wyncity Keon Park bowl, this tournament stands as a beacon for senior athletes looking to prove their mettle on the lanes while paying homage to the legacy of one of the sport’s greats, John Sullivan.
The tournament, set to unfold over a captivating weekend from the 16th to the 17th of March, will see bowlers complete 16 games over two appearances of 8 games on Saturday and 8 games on Sunday before crowning the new champions.
Adam Hayes and Dena Buxton will be in attendance to defend their 2023 titles. With both bowlers missing the Senior season opening Hammer Queensland Senior Classic, both will be keen to put their best foot forward to begin their 2024 campaigns in the division.
In addition to the competitive event, this year’s event is set against the backdrop of the Bowlers Reunion 2024, organised by Warren Stewart, a stalwart of Australian bowling. This added dimension to the weekend serves as a heartfelt tribute to the friendships, memories, and shared experiences that have been a cornerstone of the bowling community for decades. The reunion is an opportunity for participants to reconnect with old friends, share stories of triumphs and trials, and celebrate the enduring spirit of the bowling community.
The official opening ceremony on the 15th of March, along with the Presentation Dinner at the Olympic Hotel, promises to be a highlight of the weekend, offering an elegant setting for reflection, recognition, and fellowship. The inclusion of the Bowlers Reunion alongside the John Sullivan Senior Australian Open encapsulates the essence of the weekend: a blend of fierce competition and warm nostalgia.
Whether you’re competing for the title or cheering from the sidelines, the John Sullivan Senior Australian Open and the accompanying Bowlers Reunion 2024 are your tickets to a weekend filled with high-stakes competition, laughter, and reminiscence. This event is not just a tournament; it’s a journey back through the archives of Australian bowling, an opportunity to make new memories while honouring the legacy of those who paved the way.
JOHN SULLIVAN SENIOR AUSTRALIAN OPEN
PAST CHAMPIONS
| Year | Senior Division | Grand Senior Division |
| 2007 | Merv Billing and Jeanette Baker | |
| 2008 | ||
| 2009 | Bob Whybrow, Jeanette Baker | Stephen Bell, Alain Cossadeaux |
| 2010 | Tony Stoppel, Julie Hird | Stephen Bell and Ingrid Coburn |
| 2011 | Bill Johnson, Jeanette Baker | Brien Show-yin, Barb Richmond |
| 2012 | Brenton Davy, Jeanette Baker | Rob Zikman, Maxine Forrest |
| 2013 | Brenton Davy, Jeanette Baker | Mike Kennedy, Barb Richmond |
| 2014 | Mick Talevski, Jeanette Baker | Stephen Bell, Christene Webster |
| 2015 | Bill Johnson, Heather Robertson | Stephen Bell, Jeanette Baker |
| 2016 | Mick Talevski, Lee Booth | Jim Bakirtzidis, Jeanette Baker |
| 2017 | Bill Johnson, Julie Harrison | Jim Bakirtzidis, Jeanette Baker |
| 2018 | Kevin Webb, Jeanette Baker | Mick Talevski, Lee Booth |
| 2019 | Ralph Harford, Christine Clark | Terry Wenban, Sarah Knowland |
| 2020 | Andrew Lloyd, Christine Clark | Jim Bakirtzidis and Jeanette Baker |
| 2021 | Mike Muir, Sue Cassell | David Farquharson |
| 2022 | Andrew Lloyd, Jennifer Burton-Douglas | Graeme Morgan |
| 2023 | Adam Hayes, Dena Buxton | Mick Talevski |
