Dry humour, understated wit and a genuine affection for Sturt Bowling Club shine through in this interview with Toby Carter.
Whether he's explaining how the Completely Biased team was born, reflecting on his growing involvement at the club, describing his environmental career or revealing why he finally succumbed to pennant bowls, Toby's answers are thoughtful, self-deprecating and unmistakably his own.
Meet Toby Carter.
I understand you began bowling at Night Owls at Sturt about 10 years ago. How did that come about?
Until a couple of years ago, I lived just around the corner from the club on Fairford Street.
It was actually my (now) ex-wife, Charlie, who suggested I wander in and maybe get a team together.
I was working with the esteemed David Howard - aka the Colonel - at the time and put the idea to him - and so Completely Biased was formed.
In hindsight, it's possible Charlie wanted me out of the house - should probably have read the tea leaves there.
What role did you take in the formation of the Completely Biased team at Night Owls?
Founding member - with the Colonel - and spiritual leader. This has been formalised in the team constitution.
I also never arrive for the game more than four minutes before we start, although I appreciate that isn't a 'role' as such.
Did you have any input into the design of Completely Biased's revamped and rather fashionable uniform?
No, not really. We have two uniforms, neither having benefited - or otherwise - from my input.
Thanks for that go to Paul Clohesy and Jason Kohlmorgen, with the latter being responsible for the orange and brown combo that I think you are referring to.
While the colours go nicely with my European complexion, the t-shirts don't breathe very well.
When I photograph you at Night Owls, you always seem completely absorbed in the game. Is that an accurate impression?
That is not accurate, at least not in an intellectual sense. In fact I have a reputation for being very distractable.
What you are seeing is emotional investment.
You also take part in Winter Bowls. What do you enjoy most about it?
Pretending that it's random selections when everyone knows Teesa (Paul Teesdale) is fixing the teams.
When did you start bowling in pennants?
I think it was the 2024/2025 season.
Paul Clohesy tells me you were initially a reluctant recruit to pennant bowling. What eventually persuaded you to give it a go?
I was attracted to the youthful cohort and was impressed by the seamless selection process.
Joking aside, having been a part of the club in a more social sense for so long, and loving the club as I do, it felt like the right thing to do. And Jim Trenerry forced me.
You've developed a very smooth delivery. Where would you like your pennant bowling journey to take you?
Thank you. I like to think it is a style all its own.
Regarding my immediate bowls journey, this year I still need to strike a balance between bowls and my kids, but I also want to be a part of the second team going back up.
Moving forward, I'd love to be improving and playing at a higher level. This will require me to work on my concentration.
What prompted you to volunteer behind the bar at the club?
Working behind a bar was - and probably still is - my favourite job. It's also good to be able to contribute, particularly when it is busy.
Sometimes it is also the only way to get a drink.
You've become a very active club member. What is it about Sturt that has made you want to get so involved?
Firstly, it has felt easier to get involved. The changes in the last few years have really helped in that regard.
Beyond that, it's rewarding and I like seeing everyone.
If you could encourage someone your own age to join a bowls club, what would you say to them?
The obvious answer is that the drinks are cheap.
The truth is, it's a great game. And easier than golf.
What field do you work in?
I work in the environment field, typically across the building and infrastructure sectors.
How did you end up in that field?
I finished school studying geography, chemistry and economics. The led me into an environmental science degree and then to a job as an environmental consultant.
Paul Clohessy tells me you run your own company. What sort of work does it do?
Bless the man for making me sound more successful than I am. I work for myself - as a sole trader - so technically it's a business but not a company. It's just me!
Currently I am mostly contracting into State Government, working on a large infrastructure project as the Director for Land and Environment.
I also have a few little consulting gigs going on the side, largely relating to contaminated land.
Let me know if you are thinking of buying an old service station.
People often struggle to place your accent. Which part of England do you originally come from?
I was born in a town called North Walsham, which is in Norfolk, about 30 mins north of Norwich.
My Dad was in the Air Force though, so we moved a fair bit, and I also went to boarding school - including a boarding school that claims to be the oldest in England being established AD627, where Guy Fawkes went to school.
So really, I am from a few places.
Notably, being from near Norwich, I hate Ed Parker - and he hates me - because he's from Ipswich.
When and why did you move from England to Australia?
Charlie and I moved to Melbourne in 2004 - for work and only for a year! We never went back.
We moved to Adelaide from Melbourne in 2010, again for work.
Finally, what is something about you that many members of the club probably don't know?
My Mum and Dad have the same first name.