As Helen’s husband Ed relocated across Ontario through his duties with the Ontario Provincial Police, Helen MacCallum was able to display her bowling skills in Woodstock, Hamilton, Sudbury and Barrie. Today, back in Hamilton, Ed is retired but Helen continues to participate and excel in five pin bowling.

Helen’s bowling career originally started in Woodstock but really took off in 1959, with Ed’s first OPP posting in Burlington.

Helen was a member of the Bar Don #1 ladies team that won the Niagara District traveling league thirteen consecutive years.

At the provincial Open, Helen and Hall of Famer Theda Procher are the only two bowlers who have qualified for each and every year of its 25 year history. During that time Helen appeared in the singles 13 times,. Through her travels, Helen also represented Hamilton 13 times, Sudbury 3 times and Huronia on 9 occasions.

Helen won the fist of five national titles in 1961 as the Ontario ladies took the national crown while bowling at Archie Katzman’s lanes in St. Catharines.

Helen joined the Master Bowlers Association in 1965 and in 24 years, has won ten provincial tournaments, second only to another Hall of Famer, Millie Evans, who has 12. Helen’s first win was in 1966 in the original mixed triples, and as recent as 1987, Helen teamed with yet another Hall of Famer, Lloyd Ormerod, to win the MBA doubles championship. Helen was Ontario Master Bowler of the Year in 1982 and, in Corner Brook Newfoundland, she averaged 253 to win a second national title. Helen also won Canadian tittles with Ontario masters ladies teams in 1976, 1977 and 1985, as well as bronze medals in 1978 and 1981.

Today, Helen continues to be involved at all levels from league bowler to master bowler as well as being assistant manager at Sherwood Centre in Hamilton. Bother her husband Ed, and daughter Roberta, follow her career ad in addition, her granddaughter Tara is already a YBC member.