The Barossa Mag Summer 2019 | Page 25

T H E B AROS S A MAG | 25 "I’m extremely privileged compared to some people. A lot has to do with your attitude I think too. I don’t get bogged down in negative thoughts and stuff like that and I think it is a good way to be." - Liam Buckley In 2016, Liam graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice and was admitted to the Supreme Court. “I got to sign my name in the big Harry Potter style book... in front of my mum and dad,” he smiles. It was during his university days that his bowling career reached an impressive pinnacle. Liam was selected into the national team and travelled to South Africa for the experience of a lifetime. Once again the community rallied to ensure the talented teen could cover the costs of his first overseas trip and progress his sporting talents with the disability team further. He lucked out with his bowling on that occasion, but the opportunity to represent Australia rose again in 2015. This time he says he was “at the peak of his powers” and travelled to New Zealand confident in his abilities and knowing the conditions of the greens would be more like home. “I went over there and had an unbelievable tournament,” Liam says. “I got to play in the semi-finals this time, played a Korean guy. I remembered him from South Africa and he was pretty good. Didn’t speak a word of English though. It was pretty funny! “I ended up beating this guy 21-20 so I got into the final and ended up playing an Englishman, who beat me in the sectional rounds, again. This time I absolutely wiped the floor, beating him 21-6 and ended up winning the whole thing – I became a world champion. It’s is a pretty cool thing to say... I was presented with the gold medal with the National Anthem playing and all that sort of thing. “You can’t get any better really!” Back home, Liam has three Panther Premierships under his belt, two in Division 1, as well as his photo on the Clubroom wall. But there’s one more thing Liam is keen to add to his list of achievements. “They’ve just introduced disabled bowls to the Commonwealth Games and I haven’t been picked for that…. yet!” he says with a grin. t, B A R O S S A V I N TA G E Florist … Floral designs for any occasion or choose from our daily flower bar Open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 12noon he sa et e Delivering daily to the Barossa, Gawler & surrounds Interflora Pursuit of Excellence Awards Winner SA 2017 & 2019 National 2019 2/43 Murray St, Nuriootpa • 08 8562 2264 www.barossavintageflorist.com.au E Ú