Norman Spiro was born in Durbanville, Cape, South Africa in 1925. He came to live in Israel in 1962. He was a volunteer of Machal in 1948 Israel’s War of Independence, and served in 7th Brigade armored division. With 8mm camera he filmed historical events during his year's stay here. Copies of these films are held by the Diaspora Museum and extracts can be seen on internet www.boydem.nana10.co.il (30s – 90s in the 40s), and also on אוסף ספיירו where he appeared on TV channel 10. In the early 1970’s Norman served as secretary of Israel's Rugby board. In 1972 he started to play lawn bowls at Ramat Gan club, and served on the club’s committee and on national executive for 25 years. He was honored as Life President of both Ramat Gan and of Israel National Bowling Association for playing a major part in promoting lawn bowls Israelis. He has also been doing newspaper bowls reports for 25 years, originally with The Jerusalem Post, and later for Haaretz Anglo File section. On his 50th anniversary 1998, he was awarded a trophy by Telfed – South African Zionist Federation "for outstanding development of sport in Israel".