Robert Parrella (9 June 1944 - 28 December 2025) was an Italian born, Australian international lawn and indoor bowler.
Bowls career Commonwealth Games Born in Italy Rob came to prominence when winning a silver medal in the 1982 Commonwealth Games behind Willie Wood. Despite this success he fell out of favour with the Australian selectors and it was not until 1989 that he represented his country again.
In the 1990 Commonwealth Games he won the singles Gold and in the 1994 Commonwealth Games he won a bronze medal in the singles.
World Championships He only competed in one World Outdoor Championship in 1992.
Asia Pacific Championships He has won three gold medals at the Asia Pacific Bowls Championships in 1989 (singles and pairs) and 1991 (singles).
National He has twice been Australian National Bowls Championships singles champion and four times pairs champion.
Awards Rob was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on Australia Day 1996 for service to sport, particularly lawn bowlsCommonwealth of Australia Gazette S12, 26 January 1996, Australia Day Honours List and on 14 July 2000 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for significant contribution to lawn bowls as a competitor.Commonwealth of Australia Gazette S73, 12 July 2000, Queen's Birthday 2000 Honours
Other awards include recognition as Bowls Australia Athlete of the Year in 1989 and induction into the Queensland Sports Hall of Fame on 4 December 2009.
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