DUBBO’s Debra Morrow on Friday night joined an elite group of lawn bowlers when she was inducted into the Bowls NSW Indigenous Hall of Fame.
The announcement was made at a special dinner at Moree Services Club to welcome bowlers competing in the 2026 NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament this weekend.
Debra, born and raised in Moree before relocating to Dubbo with husband Phil Morrow, is the first female to be inducted into the Indigenous Hall of Fame, established in 2015.
She now sits proudly alongside William Stanton, Tom and Daniel Ellem, Peter Foster, Will Trapman, Ernie and William Gordon, and Mick Harry.
Debra, who’s brothers Wayne, Rod and Mervyn Tighe are well-known Moree lawn bowlers, dedicated her inclusion to an aunty, Irene Cutmore from Delungra, who encouraged her to play.
“This makes me really proud, but it makes me feel a little bit old, too,” Debra laughed.
“Seriously though, I’m really honoured and wasn’t expecting anything like this – I was a bit tongue-tied when they called me up because I didn’t know what to say.”
Debra began playing social bowls in the late 1980s, and was encouraged by her aunty to take her game further.
“I started the game with aunty Irene, who got me into bowls. One day, there was a tournament and she made me play – it all started from there,” Debra said.
Debra’s long association with lawn bowls has seen her compete successfully at zone and inter-regional levels.
At last year’s NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament, Debra teamed up with Phil Hobday from Moree to win the inaugural mixed pairs competition.
She has also competed in the Australian Open Lawn Bowls tournament, one of Australia’s biggest annual events, held at Broadbeach, Queensland.
Debra is a familiar face on the bowls circuit – from club and zone pennants to feature tournaments and NSW regional events.
Her continued selection for state-affiliated competitions and success at the top level has made her a respected competitor across New South Wales, and a worthy inductee to the Bowls NSW Indigenous Hall of Fame.
At West Dubbo Bowls Club, Debra is part of regular club pennants, state qualifying events and tournaments.
“I was only young when I started, and played a lot with my dad, Popeye Tighe, and mum, Eily,” Debra said.
“They were big supporters and, along with my brothers Wayne, Rod and Mervyn, we followed in mum and dad’s steps.”
Debra’s brothers are well-known on bowling greens across New South Wales.
Wayne is president of Moree Magpies Bowling Club and Rod is one of the key drivers behind this weekend’s NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament.
Debra’s inclusion into the hall of fame was announced on Friday night by Donna Taylor, CEO of Pius X Corporation in Moree, one of the tournament’s chief sponsors.
“Competitive success first came for Debra in 2004 in pairs and fours competitions, and she went on to establish a very successful record in country championships over the last 20 years,” Donna said.
“Debra has been successful in pennants at all levels and represented Dubbo clubs in the Gold Medal seven-a-side team as well as representing the mid-western district in inter-regional sides.
“She travels regularly to state carnivals, has served on the zone junior committee and was secretary of West Dubbo Bowling Club in 2013-2014,” Donna said.
The 2026 NSW Aboriginal Bowls Tournament continues at Moree Services Club today, where teams of four are competing for a slice of $20,000 prize money.
Yesterday, players finished the day with a number of close games, including three draws.
Equal leaders on eight wins each, Dylan Skinner from Peak Hill and last year’s runner-up Rod Tighe from Moree, are split by only two shots, with 12 teams still in contention.
Play resumes today at 9am with two rounds remaining, as well as quarter-finals and the final.
A live YouTube broadcast from Happy Bowler is giving out-of-town viewers top-tier bowls action, as well as commentary and game analysis. Go to Happy Bowler to view extensive coverage.
Words and Images: Bill Poulos
