Many bowlers spend years developing their game before enjoying success in pennant bowls.
Victoria Kavanagh's journey has been rather different.
Since joining Sturt in 2023, she has helped the club reach two grand finals, won the Women's Singles Championship in only her second season and established herself as one of the club's leading draw bowlers.
Yet bowls is only one chapter of Victoria's story.
Before arriving at Sturt, Victoria spent years rock climbing around Australia and overseas while also enjoying a long and creative career in television production.
Meet Victoria Kavanagh.
Many Sturt members might be surprised to learn that you have a background in rock climbing. How did you first become involved?
It all began about 15 years ago when (Sturt club member) Paul Badenoch first took me climbing.
My first climb was called Leprosy and when I asked why, it was explained “because bits fall off” and co-incidentally so did I.
Together, we’ve tackled rock faces across Australia and abroad.
What was it about the sport that captured your imagination?
Climbing is fantastic exercise, taking you to spectacular places while testing you both mentally and physically.
Much like bowls, you meet an eclectic assortment of people along the way.
In fact, it was through climbing that I met (Sturt club member) Chris Oerman—an exceptional climber now a committed bowler.
What other sports or activities have you enjoyed over the years?
Aside from rock climbing, the odd game of tennis and trips to the gym, I hadn't played organised sport since school, due to the balancing act of shift work and raising children.
How did bowls first enter your life?
My first bowling experience was back in the early 2000s, playing two seasons for an ABC Night Owls team at Kensington Marryatville.
What was it about Sturt that made you decide to join?
Many years later, Chris Oerman sent an email inviting women he knew to 'come and try' at Sturt, with the aim to form at least one women's pennant team.
You've made remarkable progress over the past three seasons. To what do you attribute that improvement?
When I started, I was enthusiastic but unskilled.
Enter Peter Hughes and his team of coaches, who worked their magic to transform all the ladies into the finely tuned bowlers we are today.
Of course, it wasn't just the coaches; all club members have contributed to our success with endless support and advice.
You've now experienced both the disappointment of a grand final defeat in your first season and the joy of winning one in your third season. What did those two experiences teach you?
Reaching a pennant final is a massive achievement in itself, but playing against much more experienced sides makes it a real challenge to overcome nerves and maintain focus.
In those moments, clichés abound for good reason: you have to trust the process, take it one bowl at a time, and remain positive.
We've all walked away with valuable experience as both winners and runners-up.
Winning the Women's Singles Championship against Margie Haines in only your second season was a wonderful achievement. This followed being runner-up to Jackie Hammond in your first year. Looking back, what do you remember most about those two finals?
I particularly enjoy singles competition. Every singles game tells its own story, and nothing is ever guaranteed.
Playing Margie and Jackie in past finals was an absolute privilege, as they are not only great bowling talents but wonderful women.
Many people think of you as an outstanding lead. What do you enjoy most about playing that position?
Playing lead is a great position if you like draw bowling, which I do.
A well-performed draw bowl is truly a thing of beauty - when it happens.
What would you still like to achieve in bowls over the next few years?
Looking ahead, I would like to play in more competitions and aspire to another ladies' singles championship, all while chasing every bowler's ultimate dream: consistency.
I understand you've had a fascinating career in television production. How did you find yourself working in television?
I started in the industry with a weekend job typing news scripts when SAS10 at Gilberton extended its news service to 7 days.
That turned into almost four decades of a career in content making.
SAS 10 changed to SAS 7 and when production moved to Sydney I moved up the road to the ABC at Collinswood.
What aspects of television production did you enjoy most?
Back in the 80s there was a lot happening. From classics such as A Touch of Elegance, Fat Cat and Trax The Music, there were pageants, news, game shows, a lot of live sport and plenty in between.
My last position at the ABC was children's news producer for Behind the News.
Are there any projects or moments that stand out as career highlights?
If I had to choose just one career highlight, it would be the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Finally, away from bowls, how do you enjoy spending your time?
Away from bowls, I enjoy bushwalking, updating my house, either being on holiday, or planning the next one.