croquet nsw inc. newsletter · 68530_croquetnsw_march2010.indd 1 21/02/11 9:42 am ... jenny...
TRANSCRIPT
NewsletterOfficial Publication of Croquet NSW Inc - ISSN 1035-5766 MARCH 2011
CROQUET NSW Inc.
Croquet NSW Inc is located at Mackey Park, Marrickville, SydneyPostal address: PO Box 5096 Marrickville NSW 1475 • Phone: (02) 9559 6073 • Email: [email protected]
The2011CroquetCalendargot off to a good start onFriday 11Februarywith theCNSWAnnualGalaDay held atMackey Park, Tempe. Ninety players came from Blue Mountains, Bundanoon, Cheltenham, Eastwood, Epping,Hazelbrook, Hurstville, Jamberoo,Killara,Maitland,Manly,NelsonBay,Nowra, PortHacking, Strathfield, SouthernHighlands,Sutherland,SydneyandUrungaCroquetClubs.
President,RobynWallacewelcomedallplayersbeforehandingovertoMasterofCeremonies,JohnEddes,tooutlinetheprogramme for the event. On offer were twelve activities designed to test various croquet skills. There was also achancetoplayashortgameofGolfCroquet.Eachsupervisingclubprovidedaprizeforthewinneroftheactivity,withthefollowingresults:
Ahighlightofthedaywasthe“IntroductiontoGateball”presentedbyEppingClub.Formany,thiswastheirfirstexperienceofthisnewgamewhichisprovingtobeverypopularamongmalletsportsdevotees.Forassociationplayers,accustomedtoplayingthetwoballcroquetshot,sparkingtheballinGateballcanbeabitofachallenge!
AsisusuallythecaseinFebruary,thehotdaymadeituncomfortableformanyandanumberofplayerswerenotabletoparticipateasmuchastheywouldhaveliked.IthasbeensuggestedthatperhapstheeventcouldbemovedtoadateinAutumnwhencoolerweatherwouldallowtheactivitiestocontinuelongerandtherewouldbeagreaterbenefitforthosecountryplayerswhosetraveltimewasgreaterthantheirplayingtime!
KathCoull(Sutherland) TommyThompson(NelsonBay)
FaySimpson(Killara) BarbPiggott(Urunga)
JeanetteTestoni(Wollongong DinaSofer(Sydney)
JackCohen(Sydney) PatGilchrist(Eastwood)
HeatherSmallbone(Chatswood) YvonneWebster(Strathfield)
GeoffBoyce(Strathfield) SharleneSubbi(Ja,mberoo)&MarleneMcMullen(Sutherland)
70membersrepresenting23clubsand3individualmembersgatheredfortheannualChristmascelebrationandTrophyPresentationonSaturday11December.ThefunctionwasheldatRoseville’sRSLClubbywayofmakingiteasierforsomeclubstoattend.Ofcourse,thismeantthatwhatwasgainedontheroundaboutwaslostontheswings,andsomeusualattendeesfromsomeclubsinthesouthernareasofthestatewereunabletoattend.
Asusual,therewasalonglistofwinnersandrunnersupinthevariouseventsofferedbyCroquetNSWinthecourseofayear.Somenewfacesappeared,whilstmanyofthefrequentwinnerswerestillwinning.FulllistofresultscanbefoundintheYearbook.
TherecipientofthePresident’sAwardfor2010wasGeofMcDonald.PresidentRobyn Wallacemadethefollowingcitationforthispresentation:“TheawardismadetoGeof becauseofhisdedicationtocroquetandtheworkhehasputinforCroquetNSW. GeofhasbeenastaterepresentativeinbothAssociationCroquetandGolfCroquet. ForanumberofyearshehasbeenStateDirectorofCoaching,andhasalsobeenonthe executiveofCNSW.InhisroleasSDChehasshowngreatcourageinadversityand formidabledeterminationtogetthejobdoneinwhateverhetookon.GeofandJackyhave beenthemosttravelledCNSWofficerssinceTonyHallandhavegoneoutoftheirwayto promotecroquetandencourageimprovementinplayersandcoaches”.
hashadalatestarttoour2011playingyearasaresultofaheavyinvasionofforeigngrassandweeds,allduetoourcontinualwetweatherthroughDecemberandJanuary.Therehavebeensomeearlystarts(7am)withmembersweedingandpatchingourlawns.Ifyoudidnotknowbetteritwouldbeeasytoconcludeyouwerewitnessingasightinapaddyfield,withmanyheadsdownandtailsup.Thehighlightoftheseeffortshavebeenthebacon&eggsbreakfaststofeedthewillingworkers.Ifallgoesaccordingtoplan,ourlawnswillbeuptoaplayingstandardenablingcommencementofplayby14February.Beassuredthatanyweedsthathavethecheektopopupfromnowonwillmeettheirdemiseratherswiftly.
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 1 21/02/11 9:42 AM
AsIwritewearehavingourfirstreasonabledayinMaitlandasfarasheatandhumidityareconcernedforoveraweek.IplayedinourOzdayGCSinglesin41.8degreeheat,sowaswrylyamusedtoseeJennyClarke'sreferencetothe'blisteringheat'attheNewZealandNationalGCChampionships[30degrees].Allthingsare,ofcourse,relative,anditwouldbechurlishtocomplainofheatwhenwehavehadfloods,firesandcyclonesinatleastthreestates.
BacktoNZforamoment.OurmemberMartynPrinspairedwithVictoria'sKevinBeardtoberunnersup[108]intheNationalDoubles.CongratulationsMartyn.CNSWhasalsoforwardedadonationtoaNZclubwhichsufferedseriousearthquakedamagerecently.
WehavealsoactedasaconduitfordonationstothetwoQueenslandclubswhichwereworsthitbytherecentfloods,McIlwraithandDalby.FootageoftheMcIlwraithClub'sinundationhasbeenonthenet.Theclubhouseis3metresoffthegroundbutthesonofoneofthemembershadtorowinthroughthewindowtorescuemallets.Theclubalsodiscoveredthatcroquetballsinboxesfloat.Theyare'overthemoon'aboutthedonation.Dalbyisstilltryingtopickitselfupandsaysthedonationfromourstatewillgivethemhearttostartagain.BecauseoftheinterestinmyhomeclubwealsocheckedoutthesituationinVictoria,butheadquarterstherehadnonewsofflooddamage.
Charity,astheyusedtosay,beginsathome,andwehavesomeverycharitablepeopleinourorganisationwhocollectivelyvolunteerahugeamountoftimeandefforttokeepCNSWtickingover.InthepastIhavementionedtheworkputinbytheLawnsCommittee.TodayIwouldliketodrawyourattentiontotheeffortsofsomeofthelargelyunsung.[Notinanyorderofmerit,mindyou.]
First,leadingonnaturallyfromthereferencetotheLawnsCommittee,therearetherecenteffortsofJohnEddestogetthegardensandsurroundsinsomesortoforderagain.SinceJanuary7thJohnhasworked45hourseverydayexceptone,startingat6.30a.m.whenseriousheatwaspredicted.Thisreallyisaboveandbeyondthecallofduty.ThankyouJohn.
NextI'dliketomentionourverybusyandefficientsecretary,PamGentle,whomanagestoplayatstatelevelinbothACandGCandstillkeepusinorderwithseemingunflappability.ThanksPam.
ThentherearethosewhohavenoblyrisentothetasksoccasionedbyJohnHanscomb'sdecisiontorelinquishhisCNSWpositions.OurJuniorVicePresidentWendyFothergillhadalreadytakenovertheNewsletterandsomeoftheworkinvolvedingettingtheYearbookout.WendyhasnowtakenonthepositionofInsuranceOfficer,andalsoClubMembership.OurwebmasterDavidArcherhasstartedonmajorreorganisationofourcommunications,andhasalreadysetupapasswordprotectedareatosafeguardmembershipdetails.Thankyouboth.
Itwouldseemfairtosaythat2011hasmadeanimpactwithinitsfirstmonthbuthopefullybetterconditions
willprevailfortheremainderoftheyearandgoodcroquettimeswillbehadbyall.
ThankyoutoallwhosentmaterialforthisissueoftheNewsletter.AtonestageIfeltthatIwouldbemakingnewsup,butagreatresponsefollowedanappeal..ItwasparticularlygoodtohearfromsomeclubsforthefirsttimesinceItookontheroleofEditor.
ThefrontandbackcoversfeatureCNSW’sbeginningof2011andtheendof2010.ClubshavebeenbusyoverthetimesinceDecember—severalhavebuiltorredevelopedlawnstoallowmoreplay.MaitlandClubhasmadetwodedicationsoflawns.
ChristmaseventsandAustraliaDaycelebrationsarewellrepresentedinthearticles.Alsoofinterestaresomeitemsrelatingtothehistoryofclubs,withattendantcelebrationsformilestonesfortheseclubs.
AnarticlewithadifferenceisonesubmittedfromamemberofCammerayinregardtotwoinspiringmembersofaclubinQueensland—notallowingsignificantdisabilitytogetinthewayoftheenjoymentofcroquet.
Therearereportsofclubcompetitions,interclubcompetitions,inparticulartheMakara,allofwhichgotohighlightthe“busyness”oflifeinacroquetclub.Acoupleofschoolcroquetreportsremindusoftheneedtopassontheskillsandloveforthisgametothosecomingbehind.Achallengeisproposedforthoseinvolvedintheorganisationofinterclubtournamentsandthereissomeadviceforsettingupasimplewebsiteforclubs,usingGoogle.Allinall,goodreading.
Weatherhasbeeninourmindsaswefollowthevariousdisastersaroundthecountryinthisearlypartoftheyear.Icanonlyexpressthehopethatallourclubmembersandtheirfamilieshavebeensafeduringthesepastmonths.
Keepsendingmaterialforthis,yourNewsletter!
Therewillbeflowoneffectsfromallthisasfarasclubsareconcerned.Everyclubnowhasanemailcontact.Therewillbeonemoremailoutcompletewithdifferentcolouredflyers,butIhopethatwillbethelastofitskind.Infutureclubswillbeabletoselecttheflyerswhichareofusetothemanddownloadwhattheirmemberswant.OfcoursewewillstillsendbysnailmailtheNewsletterandtheYearbooktothoseclubsunabletogettoCouncilmeetings.
There'smorebutIcanleaveitforanotherhat'sreport.VerybestwishestoallCNSWmembers.Ifyouhavegotthisfar,thanksforreading.
ThisisthestoryoftwoverydeterminedmenwhoarefullmembersoftheWestToowoombaCroquetClub(WTCC)Bothhaveexperiencedmajortraumaresultinginsignificantdisabilitiesbuthaverefusedtoallowthistocontroltheirlives.Theyareaninspirationnotonlytootherswithdisabilitiesbuttoallclubmembersandfellowcroquetplayers.Readonfortheirstoriesastoldintheirownwords.
On20July2002,Davesufferedamassivestrokeattheageof45.After11weeksinhospital,Davereturnedhometocontinuehisrehabilitation.Hewastheninawheelchairhavinglosttheuseoftherightsideofhisbody;hehadlosthisspeech(aconditioncalledAphasia)andtherightsidevisionofbothhiseyes.
Davehasalwaysbeenakeensportsmanandwaswillingtogiveanythingatry.In2003hejoinedaStrokeSupportGroupcalledTRUSTStrokeSurvivorsandCarers.Thisgroupdecidedthattheyneededtokeeptheirmembersactivebytryingsomedifferentsports.Davewaswalkingnowandverykeentojointheseactivities.In2005theycontactedtheWTCCandtheclubmembersweremorethanhappytohaveTRUSTcomeandtrycroquet.FromthefirstdayTRUSTmemberswerewelcomedandassistedbytheWTCCtomakesurethateveryoneregardlessoftheirdisabilitywasabletohaveagoatplayingcroquet.TRUSTdecidedthatcroquetwasanactivitytheywantedtocontinue,andtheWTCCmemberswerehappytomakeadayforthemeachmonth.
Afterourfirstcoupleoftries,theclubwenttogreatlengthstomakecroquetaccessibletoallmembers.Nowweplayontwofullfieldsandone3/4fieldforthosewhoareinawheelchairorcannotwalkfar.SamLeemadespecialmalletsforthosewhostillneededtousewalkingsticks.Heattachedmalletheadstocrutches.Davewasveryexcitedwhenhegothiscrutchmalletasthismadethemalletanextensionofhisarm.PlayingonceamonthwasnotenoughforDave,sohestartedplayingeachWednesdaywithhissupportworker,Peter.OncehewasplayingeveryWednesdayhejoinedtheClubasamemberandnowplaysTuesdays,WednesdaysandSaturdaysaswellaswithTRUSTeachmonth.Heisverycompetitiveandwantshisopponentstobecompetitiveandchallengehim.
ThemembersoftheWTCChavegivenDavesomuchbyacceptinghimintotheirclub.Helovesthathecanhelpthemwithallclubactivities,andtheyinturnhavehelpedhimwithhisspeechandindependence.Davehasfoundsomethinghereallyenjoysandcandoindependently.Andhisfamilypraysitdoesn'trainoncroquetdays.Dave'snothappythen. Hithere,Iwanttointroducemyselftoyou.IamGerardTanzerbeing44yearsofageandIhavehadParkinson'sdiseasefor18years.Thediagnosiscame12monthsaftergettingmarriedandwasaSHOCKtobothmynewwifeandmyselfasIhadbeenaveryactivesportsperson.Squash,tennis,cricket,running,karateandIwasintheArmyReserve.WhenIlostallactivitiesIthoughtIwouldnotbeabletoplayanysportseveragain,andafterhavingtwochildrenmywifeleftme.Tohermylifehadbecomeanightmare,Icouldnotwalkordoanypersonalcareandshefounditwastoodraining.Shehadtobecomethebreadwinnerandtolookafterathirdchild,ME.
OverthepastfouryearsIlivedwithmymotherforatime,andnow,afteranoperationonmybrain,Iamlivingbymyselfina2bedroomgovernmentunit.IaminoneoftheoutersuburbsofToowoombaontherangeandhavenocar.Iwaswastingmydayssleepingandnotdoinganythingexcitingwithnowheretogoorpeopletosee.ThenalongcameachancetotrialCroquet.IhadseenitbeforeonpassingbutIhadneverthoughtthatIcouldplayit.
AlthoughIwastheyoungestthereatthattime,thepeoplewarmlywelcomedmeandaskedifIwouldliketojoinandbecomeamember.IhadenjoyedmyvisitsoIstartedplayingTuesdayandSaturdays.BythenIenjoyedmygameandmynewfriendssomuchIstartedplayingWednesdayandeveryfourthMonday.IthasmehookedandIgetmostdispleasedifIhavetomissplayingaday.Ithasputsomethingbackintomyboringdays,afeelingofachievementandpride.Ievengotwhiteclothestolookthepart.NotthatIamreallygoodatitbutatleastIamoutandabout.
TherehavebeenacoupleoftimeswhereIhavelostmybalanceandstumbledontomykneesbutthegreensaresoftandthereisnoharmdone.Ihaveenjoyedplayingthevariousstylesofthegamesuchasricochet,pirates,golf,andhavealsohadonegameofassociation.Ican'tsayenoughofwhatthegameofcroquethasdoneformeasanoutlettothepublic,andIamasportspersononceagain.Igivethegameandmynewfriendsthreehoopstosaythanksforbeingthere.“HOOPHOOPHOOP''.
Catchyouonthegreens.Mayyourmallethitstraightandtrue.
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 2 21/02/11 9:42 AM
itispossiblethatplayersmightfindthemselvesplayinggameswithoragainsttheirownclubmembers.Itisabitdisappointingtotrekhalfwayacrossthestatetoplaygamesyoucouldhaveplayedathome.
Tournamentsareusuallyrestrictedbythenumberoflawnsavailableandso,inordertogetasufficientnumberofgamesinaday,thegameswilloftenhaveatimelimit.Typicallythiswillbebetween45and60minutespergameanditismoresatisfyingforbothsidesifagameiscompletedwithinthetimelimit.ThereareanumberoftechniquesaTournamentManagercanusetoensurethatgamesareplayedwithalacritytoachievea7tosomethingwin.Ifagameisadrawwhenthetimeisreached,thetournamentrulesshouldmakeitcrystalclearhowthewinnerwillbedetermined.
Thefacilitiesavailableatthevenuearealsoanimportantconsideration.Usuallythehostclubisgoodatprovidingmorningandafternoonteaandthisensuresthatplayersareunlikelytocollapseduetostarvationbutsomeprovisioningforlunchisalsoimportant.BringingyourownlunchisOKifyouarecomingfromhomeeachdaybutnotquitesoeasyifyouareawayfromhomestayinginamotelorapartment.Providedthereisafastfoodshopwithineasywalkingdistanceofthevenuethenplayerscansatisfytheirhungerwithashortwalk.Ifthevenueiswellawayfromsuchservicesthenitisbetterifthehostclubmakessomeprovisiontofeedplayersatlunchtime.Otherfacilitiessuchaswellmaintainedlawns,enoughshadeinsummer,sufficientseating,cleantoiletsetccanalsohelpmakethedifferencebetweenagoodtournamentandanaverageone.
Thewinner’spotofgoldattheendofatournamentusuallyfallsabitshortofthatavailableinothersports.Tournamentprizesareusuallyoftokenvalueonlyandarenotasignificantfactorindecidingwhichtournamenttoattend.AtJamberoowehaveyettofindauniversallycherishedprizetoawardtowinnersandwouldbeinterestedinhearingwhetheranyonehasdiscoveredthisHolyGrail.
Unfortunately,flyersadvertisingGCtournamentsoftendon’tprovidealltheinformationtomakeareasonableassessmentofthefactorslistedaboveandsosometimesapoorchoiceismadeandthiscanresultindisappointment.
EarlyintheNewYeareachclubreceivesmanyflyersadvertisingGolfCroquetTournaments/Carnivalsaroundthestate.Mostofuscannotaffordthecostortimetoattendthemallandsohowdoesonechoosewhichtournaments)toattend?Ofcoursetherearemanyfactorstoconsider(suchaswantingtocatchupwithanoldschoolflameorvisitingrichuncleEbenezerwhoisjustabouttodropoffthetwig)butthisarticlewillconsideronlythoseaspectswhichrelatetothetournamentitself.MywifeandIusuallyenterseveraltournamentsayearandourexperiencehasformedthebasisofthisarticle.Wearenotcaravanningorcampingtypesandliketostayinreasonablycomfortableaccommodationwhich,whenaddedtotheothercosts(petrol,tournamentfeesetc)meansthatweusuallydon’tgetmuchchangeoutof$100eachperday.Withoutbeingtoomercenary,welookfortournamentswhichprovidegoodvalueforthemoneyandtimewewillinvestinthem.
Thenumberofgamesperdayisanimportantfactortoconsider.Aprogrammeof.fourorfivegamesperdayisgood,with3gamesadaybeingtheminimum.TakinganAccountant’sview,fourgamesadayworksoutatabout$25pergame(attheratementionedabove).MostTournamentManagersaimforabout8gametimeslotsadaywhichmeansthat,at4gamesaday,aplayerisonthelawnlessthanhalfthetime.Youmeetsomeinterestingpeopleatcroquettournamentsbutsocialisingfor4hoursormoreadaytendstostretchyourrepertoireofconversationtopics.Refereeingisquiteagoodwaytofillinnonplayingtimeandcanprovideafrontrowseattowatchplayer’stacticswhilehoningyourknowledgeoftherules.
Thegamesthemselvesshouldbechallengingbecausea70or71scoreisnotverysatisfyingforeitherside.Forthebetterplayer's)itprobablymeansthatthegamewasnotchallengingandfortheweakerplayer's)itcanbedemoralising.Acoupleofbaddefeatsmaybesodevastatingforanewtournamentplayerthathe/shemaydecidenottoenterfuturetournaments.
Foragametobechallenging,therefore,player’shandicapsshouldbechosentobewithinalimitedrange.Mostplayerscanhaveagoodgamewith,oragainst,playerswithin3or4handicappointsoftheirown,particularlyifitishandicapplay.Havingatleast2blocks(highlow)ofplayerssegregatedbyhandicapcanusuallymeetthisrequirement.Thisassumes,ofcourse,thattheplayer’shandicapisafairindicationofhis/herability.Unfortunatelysomeclubsallocatehandicapsusingthe‘threetimesaroundthemulberrybush’systemdefinedintheWCFrules.Thisprovidessomemeasureofphysicalskillbuttotallyignorestacticalabilityandso(inmyopinion)isapoormeasureofaplayer’soverallability.
Unlessthetournamentmanagerrestrictsthenumberofentriesfromeachcluband/orcarefullyarrangesthedraw,
LismoreCroquetClubrecentlyhelda
mostsuccessfulComeandTryevening,withourlawnsswampedwithinexcessoffiftyupandcomingplayers.InterestwasshownbyfourvisitorsandonehassincereturnedtoplayGolfCroquet.WeincludedaTrash&Treasurestall,plusasmallraffletoexpandourkitty.Wefedthehungrywithabarbequeafterplaywasfinishedandclubmemberstookadvantageofthistimetominglewithourvisitors.OurSecretarymadeabannerthatwetiedbetweentwotreesonourboundaryfencealongthemainstreet.Ourcommittee,thoughwearyattheend,allagreedwehadasuccessfulnight.
LismoreCroquetClubCaptain,FayRoss,andMurwillumbahCroquetClub,MargaretMitchell,recentlyorganisedaFriendshipDayforAssociationcroquetplayerswhenMurwillumbahplayersjourneyedtoLismoretocompeteintheplayofffortheBreadBoardShield.Thisisanannualcompetitionwithreciprocalvisitsbetweenthetwoclubs.Lismorewerethisyear'swinners.Someofthegameswereintense,butatalltimesfriendlyrivalryprevailed.
TheBranxtonCroquetClubwasformedin2003byJackyandGeoffMcDonald.GolfCroquetwasplayedatthelocalbowlingclubforthefirstfewyears.Howevertheclubwasforcedtomovewhenthebowlingclubbeganmajorrenovationsandtheoncecroquetlawnbecameacarpark.ThecouncilgrantedpermissionfortwolawnstobesetupatoneoftheplayingfieldsinBranxtonandaftermanylonghourssettingout,topdressingandplantingbythededicatedmemberswenowhavetwowellgroomedlawnsaswellastwentyenthusiasticplayers.
InDecember2010theclubwassuccessfulinobtainingaStateGovernmentGranttobuildaclubhouse.Thereismuchexcitementaswemoveforwardinto2011withwhatlookstobeagoodfutureforcroquetinBranxtonwithmembersparticipatinginotherclubcompetitionsandtheStateChampionships.
Wealsohaveagroupfromthelocalprimaryschoolwhoarelearningtoplayaspartoftheschoolssportprogram.On1314AugustwewillbeholdingourfirstGalaDayandregistrationformsarebeingsenttoallclubs.WearesituatedintheHunterValleywithabackdropofmountains,beefcattleandvineyards.Fun,fellowshipandhospitalityisourmottosoifyouarepassingthroughonholidaypleasedropinforagameonTuesdayorSaturdaymorningsawarmwelcomeawaitsyou.
Westart2011onaverypositivenote.Notonlyisourmembershipclimbinghealthily(now37),ourfirstIntroductoryCoursefortheyear,titled‘FriendsofFriends’requirednoadvertising.TheCoursewillhave6people,including2couples.Ourmembershiphasaninterestingmixofages,talentsandbackgrounds,andthereisagrowingloveforthemixofgamesweplay.HeatherSmallbonehasrecentlybeeninvolvedinfurtheringtheskillsofournewgroupofplayers.
Anewfeatureforuslastyear,wasthe‘TwilightSessions’whichhavebeenwellattended.Whendaylightsavingfinishes,wewillrecommenceearlyafternoonsessions(alsoanewfeaturelastyear).Ourmorningsessionscontinueasnormal.Ifinterested,contactus.
Weenjoyhaving‘surprise’visitors,asoccurredlastyear,whenoneofournewmembers,BarbaraHyde,hadagolfcroquetingfriend,OlwynBarwick,fromGoolwaClub,whocameseveraltimes.Also,MaryJewell‘poppedin’fromSydneyCroquetClub,astheirlawnswereclosedduringOctober.Thenoneofournewmembers,MarieChristineBarichardvisitedCoolangattaClub,andwas
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 3 21/02/11 9:42 AM
Attheendof2010,SutherlandCroquetClubhostedboththeMakaraGolfcompetitionandtheAssociationgoldandplatinumsinglesanddoubles.
PlayerscamefromHurstville,Jamberoo,Wollongong,PortHacking,Holroyd,Marrickville,Cammeray,Manly,Sutherland,Coogee,Mosman,Tamworth,EastwoodandEpping.
There'snodoubtaboutcroquetplayers.Theywillplayinallsortsofweatherconditions.However,onMonday8thNovemberwewerealltakenoffthegreenaslightningstartedflashing,followedbythunder,ahowlinggaleandthentorrentialrainfollowedbyhail.Gameswerestoppedasthelawnsbecameflooded.WatereverywhereandTHATstoppedthecroquetplayers.
Ifanyonetookphotosofthelawnsinthiscondition,wewouldappreciatecopies!
Suddenlytimetablesforallgameswerethrownintoconfusion,howeverourtwowonderfulorganizers,RosJohnstoneandKatherineLove,calmlyreorganizedpeopleandtimesandwecongratulatethemonthefactthatallgameswerecompletedontimewithoutafuss.
OnThursday,itbeingRemembranceDay,allplayersstoppedforoneminute'ssilenceat11am.
Congratulationsandthankstoourveryablereferees,JohnEddes,JohnLove,BettyDaniel,CarolHayes,JohnBennett,KathCoull,DorleFischerandPatClark.
Thankyoutoallthosewhohelpedoutwithallthelittlejobsthatalwaysneedtobedonetokeepthingsgoingsmoothlyteas,coffee,washingup,settinguplawnsandprovidinggoodiestoeat.
Now,agreatbigthankyoutoallthosewhoplayed.Croquetplayersareasocial,happy'lot'anditisalwaysagreatpleasuretohavethemvisitus.
Makarawillbeonagainatthesametimeattheendofthisyearandwehopetomeetupwithyouagainthen.
warmlywelcomedbytheirmemberswithagameofRicochet.
We also played in InterClub Competitions. Two of ourplayerscompetedatMarrickville,intheNoviceDivision.Yvonne Webster, was runnerup in a closely foughtmatch.ItwasCharlieMusarra’sfirstACcompetition,andhe came away with lots of New Year Resolutions. WeenjoyedparticipatingintheEnidBrowncompetitionandcamethird.CongratulationsEastwood.Someyearitwillbeourturntodolunch!WeplayedinthePennants,andintraclubcompetitionswereheld.
We finished 2010, hosting the Silver Singles of theMakara Carnival. It was great and magical to watch arelative newcomer to croquet, Ted Salter from Hunter’sHillClub,winthatdivision.WhilstgivingHunter’sHillamention, we would like to thank Peter Dye, theirPresident, for his willingness to not only loan us theirequipment to shift all the hoops, but Peter also helpedwiththejob.ThankyouSt.Peter!
WehopetoseeyouintheInterClubCompetitionsthisyear,aswellasplayingourroleintheCommunity.WehavejusthostedStrathfieldRotaryClubatourClub(theyalmostsetusablaze!).InFeb/March,SCCwillteach80PhysicalEducationSpecialistStudents,fromtheACU,Strathfield.ThenweareinvolvedinSeniorsWeek.WehavebeeninvitedtoholdDemonstrationGamesat‘Yaralla’(ahistoricEstateinConcord)ontheirOpenDayinApril,andfinally,weareinvolvedwiththecouncilofBurwood/Ashfieldintheir‘SportaMonth’PrograminJune.Bythenhalfayearhasgone!
HappyNewYear everyone, andhope to see you aroundthecourtsthisyear.
TheoriginalmembersoftheNaroomaCroquetClubgatheredatarecent10yearsBirthdayCelebrationattheDalmenySportingClubinNovember,2010.
Friday21Januarywasanexcellentsummereveningtoenjoy2011’sfirstTwilightCroquetevening.15membersand5guestsjoinedintoplayAussieCroquetandGolfCroquet.LocalsPamRaynor,GayCummins,PeterHerrman,werejoinedbytheoverseasvisitorsfromSwitzerland:Benoit(Ben)PannatierandIsabellePraplanwhoplayedtheirfirstgameofCroquet.AlargegroupofplayersenjoyedtheDalmenySportingClub’smealsafterallthefun.AnotheryearofInterClubCompetitions:DeneseMcCann,HelenOwen,KathyandNormHoyerarerepresentingNaroomaCroquetClubinBundanoon.Competitionruns25February2MarchwhenpresentationandBBQlunchwillbeenjoyed.KathyandNormarethenofftoJamberoo1115March.Wewishourplayersgoodluckandmanyhoops!
AttheAnnualPresentationheldatDalmenySportClubonWednesday8December,DelmaTaylorwaspresentedwiththePlayeroftheYearAward,TheMJMurrayTrophy.
Withtheverylowcostofkeepingmembers(andthecroquetcommunity)informedviatheinternetthepublicityofficer(myself)decidedlastyeartosetupawebsite.Now,Imakewebsitesformybusinesssothiswasnotaproblem,however,realisingthatIwouldnotalwaysbethepublicityofficerthewebsitehadtobeportableandeasytomaintain.
Bloggingseemedthewaytogo,andwiththeresourcesofGoogleitcouldbedoneveryeasily.AnyonewithalittlecomputerskillcanlearntouseGoogle’sBloggerfacilitiesandsetupablogorwebsite.ThefirststepistogetaGoogleAccount,which,bytheway,iscompletelyfree.Onceyouhaveanaccountalargevarietyofresourcesbecomeavailabletoyou,includingemailandblogging.
Theblog/websitecanbeverybasicusingtheavailabletemplatesandnavigatingyourwayaroundthesetupprocedureoryoucancustomiseittoyourheart’scontent(andability).Youcanaddpagestocontainavarietyofsubjects,calendars,information,pictures,etc.forthebenefitofyourmembers.
Takealookatourwebsite/bloghere:
Ifyouhaven’talreadysignedupwithGoogleforanaccountandwouldliketojumprightinyoucanclickthelinkintheupperrightcornerthatsays‘CreateBlog’.ThiswilltakeyoutoGoogle’ssigninand
accountscreationpage.Justtakeitfromthere.AsImentionedabove,theblogcanbeverysimpleusingavailabletemplates,oritcanbecustomised.IdecidedthatitwouldbenicetohaveourownheaderimageandproducedonewithdrawingsoftwareIown.TheimagewasthenuploadedtoBloggerandinsertedatthetop.
Youwillalsoseevideoclipsonourwebsite.Thesecanbedonewithmostbasicsmalldigitalcamerasanduploadedtofromwheretheycanbeinsertedintotheblog.Thismayrequirealittlemorefiddlingaround(andlearning)butbasicallyitisquiteeasy.Themostdifficultpartofyourjobwillbetogetthoseofyourmemberswhoare‘frightened’ofcomputerstorealisethebenefit. Goodluck.
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 4 21/02/11 9:42 AM
TherewasverylittlecroquetplayedatSawtelltowardstheendoflastyear.Theroutinemaintenanceofthecourtplannedforashortperiodturnedintoamonthlongsaga.StartinginmidNovemberworkstartedonscarifyingandcoringbothlawns.Saturday–thefirststepwasscarifying–withallhandsondecktheworkwasdoneinhalfaday.
ThecorerwasbookedforWednesday–anditrained.Howeverthejobwasdoneintherainatleast2inchesor50mlofrainthatday.Thewetandheavycoringswererakedupthenextday,thankstodedicatedmembersMarg
andRobLeese.Wewaitedaweekforthecourtstodryoutbeforetopdressing–guesswhat–morerain.Someofthetopdressingwaswashedin–therestwaswashedoff,sowerepeatedtheexercisethefollowingweek.Aweeklaterandthenewshootswerestartingtoshowthrough.Thenworkstartedonthesurroundsagaindodgingrain–theplanwastoremovethebuffaloandotherweedsandtohavethewholecomplexgrassedinthebentgrassonthecourtsandtousesomeofthesurroundsasanurseryifneededforproblemcorners.Wenowhave“Baz’sdrain”–alotofthoughtandplanningwentintothenewdrainoutsidethefenceatcourt2,againtohelpdrainingatourproblemcorner(sofarsogood).
Manyofourmembersandtheirnonmemberpartnershaveputinmanyhoursofwork–wehaveallworkedtogether,gotdirtytogether–hadafewlaughsandbeenwellfedbythoseunabletodothephysicalwork.Thehappy,friendlyatmosphereoftheclubshonethrough.
2011 starts the surrounds are not quite there yet – butwith the weather gods smiling on us things should lookgreat for our 3 big events this year. 4 days of GolfCroquetinJune,CNSWHandicapGolfCroquetDoublesandSinglesChampionshipsinSeptember(wewillcohostwithUrunga),thenour5daysofAssociationCarnivalinOctober. Plus a full calendar of club and inter clubevents planned for the year – should be a good one forSawtell.
FollowingadiscussionintheClubhouseonedayastothedatesandlocationsshowninvariousphotosaroundtheroom,IdecidedtoaccesstheminutesandcorrespondenceheldinasecuritypackageattheBanktodiscoverthehistoryofourClub.Ienjoyedreadingthehandwrittenminutesandcorrespondenceandreflectingonthepeopleinvolvedandproblems,mostlyfinancial,thattheyfacedinestablishingaClubandthevaluableassistancegivenbytheLocalCouncil.
Itwason8August,1927,atameetingchairedbytheMayor,thatitwasproposedthatacroquetclubbeestablishedinBathurst,andthismotionwascarriedbythoseinattendance.JointPresidents,andpositionsofVicePresidents,SecretaryandTreasurerwerefilledandacommitteeformed.AletterfromMrsJuneCranston,assecretaryoftheClub,addressedtotheTownClerk,dated17/12/27says:“OnbehalfoftheaboveClub,IdesiretoapplyforCouncil’spermissiontoputdowntwoCroquetlawnsadjacenttoTownTennisCourts,atcornerofDurhamandBentinckStreets.TheTennisClubhassanctionedouruseofthisgroundandtheworkwillbeunderthesupervisionofMr.E.Priddle,ShireEngineer,whohasalsopreparedtheplans”.
AreplyoftheCouncil,dated13January,1928,states:“……….thisCouncilhasapprovedofthenecessaryareabeingsetapartforthepurposeofconstructingcroquetlawnsandfortheplayingofcroquetinaccordancewiththeLocalGovernmentOrdinanceNo48(19).”
On14August,1928theminutesshowthatworkonthelawns,whichhadbeendelayedtillspringsowing,wasthencomplete.TheClubthenappliedtotheCounciltoerectaClubhouseandon26July,1929,aletterfromtheTownClerkindicatesthattheClubwaspreparedtoacceptanofferfromtheCouncil“…….tobuildtheproposedClubHouseatacostof₤100formaterialpluscostoflabour,forwhichtendersaretobecalled.”Theloanwastoberepaidoveraperiodoftwentyyearsthroughhalfyearlyrepaymentsof₤5.17.0.
Fundraisingeffortsaroundthistimeincludeddances,a“PinkTea”,aBlackandGoldTea,requestsforsubscriptionsandcardevenings.On10September,thedatewasfixedfortheofficialopeningoftheClubHouseandtheMayor,MrMoodiewasaskedtoperformtheopeningceremonywhichoccurred17April,1930.
SincethentheClubhasoperatedcontinuouslyonthesamesite,althoughtheoriginalClubhousewasfirstlyextended,thendemolishedandrebuilttoallowfortheconstructionofacarparkforanewshoppingcentre.
2010sawanenthusiasticgroupofover100boys(fourclasses)fromMosmanPrepattendingTheMosmanCroquetClubforitsannualcroquetsportingprogram.Croquetisestablishedasoneoftheschool'ssportsandatrophyishotlycontestedbetweentheschool'sthreeHouses.
.
Asover25boysattendanyonesessionfourtofiveclubmembersassistinteachingcroquet.Thesportsmasterand/orclassmasterattendeachsessionalso.Itisinterestingthatthiswasthe11thyearcroquethasbeentaughttostudentsofMosmanPrepandeachyeartheenthusiasmforthegameneverwanes.Sincerethanksgotoallclubmemberswhogaveuptheirtimeonvariousdaystoassist.Withouttheirsupportandinterestitwouldbevirtuallyimpossibletocontinue.
ItisalsointerestingtonotethatMosmanPrepboysgoontoavarietyofprivatehighschoolsandthattheremustbemanypupilsatthoseschoolswhocanplayAussieCroquet,GolfCroquetandsometimessomeofthecroquetshots.Itisashamethatthisskillisnotbeingdevelopedattheseschools.PerhapsCroquetNSWmayconsideranapproach(perhapsaPowerpointPresentation)tobeofferedtoselectschoolsasrecommendedbylocalclubs.
TheHuntersHillCroquetClubendeditsyearwithamajorfunction,aTournamentfortwoYearNineclassesfromRiversideGirlsHighSchool.TeachingGolfCroquettoYearNinegirlsfromthisschoolhasbecomeapartoftheClub’sannualCalendar.Thisyear,however,theClub,attheenthusiasticrequestofthegirls,wentfurtherandorganisedaTournamentforallthegirlswhohadparticipatedintheteachingsessions.TherewerefourteachingsessionsforeachclassinwhichgroupsoffourgirlsweretaughthowtoplayGolfCroquetbymembersoftheClub.Altogetherinthetwoclassesmorethanfortygirlstookpart.ThiswasfollowedupbyagrandTournamentbetweenthetwoclassesinwhichteamsoftwofromoneclassplayedtwogamesagainstteamsfromtheotherclass;thewinnersandrunnersupfromeachclassthenplayedaFinalmatchtodeterminetheoverallChampionTeam.
TheChampionsandtherunnersupwerepresentedwithCupsbyTedSalterwhohadorganisedthecomplicatedtimetablefortheFinalsDay.MembersoftheClubwhohadparticipatedintheteachingandthegirlsthemselvesalongwiththeirteachersenjoyedtheexperience,anditishopedthatnextyearateamwillbesenttotakepartintheNSWSchoolsCroquetCompetitioninDecember
RemembertheAustralianGateballChampionshipsbeingheldinNewcastleinSeptember.
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 5 21/02/11 9:42 AM
InNovember2010Urungaplayedhostto36visitingplayersfortheirInauguralGolfCroquetSinglesCarnivalheldover4days.Ofthe36players,10wereplayingatUrungaforthefirsttimeanditwasgreattogreetnewfacesandequallypleasingtorenewfriendshipswithmanyplayerswhohaveregularlyenjoyedtravellingtoUrunga.TheformatforthecarnivalwasdifferentfromourAugustcarnivalinthatweonlyplayedsinglesandplayedbothlevelandhandicapplaywitheachplayerhaving10gamesoverthefourdays.ThechallengetoManagementwastocomplete180gamesinfourdays,buttheCommitteewereuptoitandeverythingwascompletedinarelaxed,friendlyatmosphere.
AnotherchallengethrownattheCommitteebeforeplaystartedwasthatourcatererhadtakenillandwasinhospital,thegirlsinthekitchensteppedupandforthefirsttwodaystheypreparedthesandwichesforlunch.Sammyrecoveredfromhismysteryillnesstoprovidelunchesforthefinaltwodays.OntheThursdayeveningmanyplayersenjoyedrelaxingattheCarnivalDinnerprovidedbyLui’sRestaurantattheC.exUrungaGolf&SportsClub.WereturnedtothemainClubforourpresentations,refreshmentsandfingerfoodontheFridayatthecompletionofplayandanumberofplayersstayedontoenjoytheevening.
Carnivalsdon’tjusthappenandawillingbandofClubmemberswereavailabletoassistwiththerunningoftheCarnivalandsettingupthecourtsearlyeachmorningsoplaycouldcommenceontime.Theireffortsareappreciatedbyorganisersandplayers.Weshouldalsonotforgetthereferees,manyofthemplayersawaitingtheirturntoplay,whokeptthingsflowing.
Wewouldalsoliketothankoursponsorsforthisevent;ourmajorsponsorwastheFederationofCommunity,SportingandWorkersClubs,whoowntheunitsadjacenttoourClubwheremanyoftheplayersstayed.OursecondarysponsorwasCoffsExServicesMemorialandSportingClubLtd.andwethankthemfortheircontinuedsupportofourcarnivals.
Theleadersafterthelevelroundfoundthegoingalittletougherwhentheyhadtogiveextraturns,althoughanumberofplayersforgottousethem.TheHandicapperwaskeptbusywritingnewcardsforplayersastheyfilledtheiroldcardsandadjustinghandicaps;therewerehandicapchangesineachofthesixblocks.Fourofthesixblockshadthewinnerorrunnerupdecidedonnettscoresoitwasakeenlycontestedcompetition.
MostplayersremarkedontheformatoftheCarnivalwithplayersenjoyingbothlevelandhandicapplayandeagertoreturn.IfyouhavenotbeentoUrungaontheMidNorthCoastyoumayliketoconsidernextyear,althoughgetyourentriesinearlyaswecanonlyaccept36players.
In1985MariePatmore,whowasontheBoardoftheUrungaGolf&SportsClubsuggestedthatasanothersportfortheareaCroquetshouldbegivenatry.Thesuggestionwasnotreceivedverywell,butMarieperseveredandfoundabout12ladieswhowerepreparedtotryitout.ShewrotetotheCroquetAssociationforinformationonhowtostartanewclub.ItwassuggestedthatshecontactAliceBarrett,anaccreditedcoachoftheSawtellClub.WiththeinformationneededtostarttheclubitwasputtotheBoardandtheygavetheirapprovalfortheformationofaCroquetClub.AssistedbythelocalcommunityandanumberofuniquefundraisingactivitiestheoriginallawnwasfinallycompletedandtheUrungaCroquetClubwasofficiallyopenedon21June1986.
MariewillbeoneoftheguestsoftheUrungaCroquetClubwhenitcelebratesits25thAnniversaryontheJunelongweekend.ItwillbeafullweekendofcelebrationwithbothAssociationandGolfCroquetplannedfortheSaturdayandSunday.ThemaineventwillbeathreecoursedinneratC.exUrungaGolfClubonSaturday11June2011.
AnyonewhohashadconnectionswiththeUrungaCroquetClubwishingtobepartofthecelebrationsshouldcontacttheorganisingCommitteeforfurtherdetails.TheCommitteecanbecontactedbymailatPOBox95Urunga,[email protected].
UrungaCroquetClubhasashorthistorywhencomparedtoanumberofClubsinNSW,butweareluckytohaveanexcellentreputationforconductingCarnivalswithour20thAssociationCarnivalalsotobeheldinJune.ItisacredittotheClubthatinourtwentyfifthyearwewillalsobeaddingtoourhistorywhenwehosttheCNSWGolfCroquetHandicapChampionshipsinSeptember.
Aplanningexercisein2006showedthattocaterforthepredictedincreaseinclubmembers,athirdcroquetlawnwouldberequiredby2010.Followingthecompletionofanewclubhousein2009,attentionwasdirectedtothebuildingofathirdCroquetlawntotheNorthoftheexistingNo.2lawnbutoutsidetheexistingfence.AgreementwasreachedwithKiamaCouncilandtheJamberooCombinedSportingClubsthatwewouldsharethisareawiththeJuniorcricketerswhoonlyusetheareaonSaturdaymorningsduringthecricketseason.
Thebesttimetoconstructanewlawnisduringthegrowingseasoninspringandsummerbutthiscoincideswithwhenthecricketersneededtousethelawnandthisgavearestrictedtime‘window’inwhichtodothework.PreparationcommencedlateinJulywiththepoisoningoftheexisting(mainlyKikuyu)grasswithaherbicide.Althoughtheexistingareawasacricketfield,ithadasignificantslope(about450mmoverthelengthofthecroquetlawn)andso,aftertheinitialexcavationofthetopsoilwascompletedinAugust,theareawaslaserlevelledtoprovideanaccuratebase.About100mmofhighqualityturfunderlaysoilwasthenspread,laserlevelledandcompactedpriortolayingtheturfinthefirstweekofSeptember.Theareawasavailableforthejuniorcricketers,asagreed,inOctober.
Routine,twiceweekly,mowingofthenewlawncommencedinmidOctoberandthelawnwasputintouseasacroquetlawnthefirstweekofNovember.Ascouldbeexpectedfromthisfasttrackprocedure,anddespitelaserlevelling,thelawnwasfairlybumpyinitially.Sincethenithasbeentopdressedtwiceand,thoughstillnotasevenaswewouldlike,itisnotabadlawntoplayon.Unlikeourtwoexistinglawnsthenewlawnislevelwithjusta0.2%slope(approx50mmoverthewidthofthelawn).Somesettlingofthelawnisexpectedoverthenext12monthsandsothecurrentplanistotopdressandlaserlevelitagainduringSpring2011afterwhichwebelieveitshouldbeatleastasgoodasourexistingtwolawns.
InitiallyanumberofclubmemberswerenervousaboutsharingthelawnwiththegeneralpublicandthecricketersbutsomereassurancewasobtainedfromTorontoCroquetClubwhoalsosharetheirlawnswithcricketers.(It’sthefootbrawlerswhotendtodo
damage).Inthe3monthsthatthenewlawnhasbeeninoperationtherehasbeennosignificantdamagetothelawnfromotherusers.Wearefortunateinhavingsomecommunitymindedneighbourswhoarepreparedtokeepaneyeoutforpossiblevandalismwhenclubmembersarenotaround.
WhentherewereonlytwocourtsatTareethesecondcourtwasobviouslythebest.Itwasthecourtofchoicefordailyplayandalwaysthecourtforcompetitions.Court1wasachallengebecauseoftheinterestingslopes–abitlikeplayingonthesideofahill.Theapproachtohoop4fromhoop3isalwaysaboutametretotheleftifyouwanttofinishinfrontofthehoop.
Court3wasbuiltin2009–firstusedforplayonMelbourneCupday2009–flat,levelandfast.Then,lookingacrossthegroundsitwasclearthatcourt2wasdomed,withedgesfallingawaytovariousdegrees.Mowingofthesurroundswasdifficultalongthefencelinesbecauseofthesteepslopefromtheplayingsurfacetothebaseofthefence.
In2010,withourgratefulthankstoDepartmentofSportandRecreationfortheirfinancialassistance,toWesley’sEmploymentServicesforthelabourprovidedbytheworkexperiencecrews,andtolocalhireandmaterialscompanies,court2wascompletelyrefurbished.Thefencewasremovedandthegrasscoverpoisonedtwice.Fifteentruckloadsoffillsandwerebroughtin,spreadandlaserlevelled.Fertiliserwasappliedandturflaid.Additionaldrainagewasinstalledandthefencerebuiltonthesamelevelastheplayingsurface.Thegrassquicklyestablishedandbegan.
Thefirstmowingwasafterjusttendays.Graduallythebladesofthecylindermowerwereloweredandprogressivemowingremovedmuchofthethatchandstalkoftheoriginalturf.Ithassincebeengroomedandisnowbeingmownatplayingheight.Somemembersareeagertoplayoncourt2–maybeatEaster.
Itisbothsatisfyingandexcitingtolookfromtheclubhouseandsee2matchingcourts–bothflat,level,fast,samegrass.Manythanksmustgotoallwhoassistedindifferentways,butparticularlytheclubgreenkeeperPhillipSagewhowastheprojectmanagerandcoordinatedallaspectsofthiswork.
Thoseplayerswhocometothisyear’scarnivals–WildFigACinMayandTareeonManningGCinOctober–willenjoy2excellentcourtsandmaybe1withinterestinggeography.ThosewhohavebeentoTareebeforewillcertainlyappreciatethedifferencethislatestimprovementhasmade.
ThenewfenceFirstmowing
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 6 21/02/11 9:42 AM
TheClubcelebratedanothersuccessfulyearwithaChristmasLunchforallmembers.Wedinedalfrescoontraditionalfareprovidedbyalocalcaterer.ThefiftymemberspresentwerewelcomedbyPresidentKurtBeckandproceedingswerekeptmovingbySanta,EdNash,whodistributedluckynumberprizesthroughouttheafternoon.ThecelebrationendedwithGenevieveParkesleadingusinsingingsomeaussieChristmassongs.Itwasahappyandharmoniouswaytoendourcroquetyear.
Ournewyearhasstartedwellinspiteoftheextremeweatherandwehavefourmorememberswhohavequalifiedasreferees–KurtBeck,ShirleyPage,KevinPageandBillMunnsweresuccessfulingainingtheirbadges.NowwearelookingforwardtohostingtheLakeMacquarieMastersGames.ForthiswewillbeholdingaGolfdoublestournamentovertwodays,2122March,andallclubshavebeensentregistrationbooklets.Thesegamesareorganisedinagegroups,alittledifferentforussoitshouldbealotoffun–docome!
Therehavebeensomewelcomeadditionstoourweeklytimetable.BillNewberryhasorganisedRicochetgameseachThursdaymorningforthosewhowishtomakethetransitionfromGolftoAssociationplay,andforthosewhojustenjoythischallengingformofthegame.WehavealsointroducedtwilightGolfcroquetgamesonSundaysforthosewhoappreciateplayinginthecoolereveninghours.Ourcourtsarenowinusesevendaysaweek–that’salotofcroquetandalotoffun!
Anewyearofcroquetisuponus.Thingshavechangedaroundatouchfromlastyear,whenwehadtoputcopiousamountsofwateronthelawns,nowdroughthasturnedtoflood.However,intoeachlifealittlerainmustfall.
Thisyear,LismoreCroquetClubishandingoverthepresidencyoftheNorthernRiversCroquetAssociationtotheBallinateam.ThegameswillstilltakeplaceinLismore,asitismorecentrallyplacedthanBallinaforthoseclubssituatedinthehinterland,butBallinawillbetakingovertheorganisationoftheevent.RodneyKendallandDavidWillishavekindlyspenttimeintroducingthenewmanagerstotherigoursoforganisingthispopularcompetition.
AswellasconductingtheNorthernRiversTournament,Ballinawillbeinvolvedincelebratingits75thanniversaryinMaythisyear.Thereareplansafoottomakethisaveryspecialbirthday,sowatchthisspace.....
Attheendof2010,ourclubwasabletoreplaceitsoldandtatteredflagwithaspankingnewmodel,sportingourPelicanlogo.OurChiefYeomanofSignals,assistedbyamotleycrew,raisestheflagonplaydays.Thisoperationissometimes
madeabittrickybythosewhoareconstantlybemusedbythevariousshacklesandhalyardsrequiredtoraisethenationalandclubflagstothetopoftheyardarm.Wecroquetplayersarenothingifnotversatile.
AustraliaDaykickstartedthenewyearwithlotsofeatinganddrinkingandabigteamofAssociationandGolfplayerstryingtoplaypropercroquetafteratraditionalAussieBarbecue.OnceintothenextphaseofworkinguptoPennants,wewillallbesettlingdowntoourusualneedlematches.Thereisalotofplanningandworkahead,forourvariouscommitmentsinthecomingyear,butBallinawillrisetothechallengeandbebiggerandbetterthaneverbefore.
MaitlandCroquetClubhasnamedalawninhonourofoneofitslongstandingmembers.TheNoelCarmodyLawnwasunveiledonSaturday21August2010.Noel,whowasaLifeMemberoftheClub,attendedtheceremonyalongsidehiswifeandfellowmember,Madge,withalargegatheringofmembers,friendsandfamily.
ThenamingofthelawnwasanacknowledgementofNoel’stirelesseffortsfortheClubovermanyyears.Hewasinvolvedinestablishingthelawnsandwastheproducerofmuchneededequipment.Hisknowledgeofirrigationwashelpful,askillbornfromworkingthelandonhisLouthParkfarmwherehegrewvegetablesandwassuccessfulinbreedingtrottinghorses.HewontheBroodMareoftheYearwithBonnieBelmediain2001andagaininthefollowingtwoyears.FundswereraisedfortheClubonmanyoccasionswith“guesstheweightofthepumpkin”contestswithapumpkingrownbyNoel.
Akeenplayerofthegame,AssociationandGolf,NoelhaswonmanyClubcompetitionsandtournaments.In2009hepairedwithTrevorBlackandwontheNSWGolfDoublesHandicapChampionship.Inlateryearshehadtroublewithhiseyesightbutcouldstillroquetyoufromtheothersideofthegreen.Itwasoftenjokedthathewasbetterwhenheusedhisbadeye.
SadlyNoelCarmody,aged81,passedawayrecently.HewillbemissedbyClubmembersbutfondmemorieswillalwaysreturneverytimewestepontotheNoelCarmodyLawnandplaythegameheloved.
OnFriday15October2010theMaitlandCroquetClubrewardedLifeMember,FredHarvey,forhisyearsofdedicationtotheClubwithalawnnamedinhishonour.FredwithhiswifeandfellowmemberWendyattendedtheunveilingwitnessedbymanymembers,familyandfriends.
FredisknownforhiscommitmentandworkbehindthescenesattheClubinacquiringequipment,groundmaintenanceandcoaching.PamGentlespokeofFred’sachievementsovermanyyearsandsaidthattheClubmightnothavesurvivedwithouthistirelessefforts.Fredwashumbleinhisresponse,notlookingforpraise,hedidjustwhathethoughtwasrequired.Nowretired,FredwasemployedasanengineerwithMaitlandCityCouncilandrecalledspendingmanyofhislunchhoursweedingthenewlawns.
FredfollowedWendyintoCroquetandisakeenplayerofAssociation.Hehaswonmanychampionshipsandtournamentsovertheyears.HissportingachievementsarenotlimitedtocroquetasheholdsaleveltwoSportsTrainer’sCertificateandhadasixyearinvolvementwiththelocalRugbyLeagueteam,theMaitlandPumpkinPickers.Duringthe1980shespentsixyearsastheclub’sstrapperandtrainer.
Fredsayshe’ssteppingbacklettingtheyoungermemberscarrytheloadnowadaysbutwheneverthereisanylawnimprovementworktobedonesuchascoringandscarifyingheistheretotheforewithadviceandassistance.
Thankyou,Fred,forallyouhavedonefortheMaitlandCroquetClub.Yourvaluedworkisgreatlyappreciated.
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 7 21/02/11 9:42 AM
Wehadalovelymorningattheendof2010,withaguestfromSawtellCroquetClub,forourChristmasPartyandPresentation.Ourpresentationcoveredtwocompetitionsplayedoverthepastyear—268gameswereplayedand67membersplayedthesegames.12membersreceivedcertificatesandprizeswhichweregivenfor1st,2ndand3rd,forthemenandagainfortheladies.ThiscoveredourMondayCompetitionandourFridayCompetitionwhichisplayedonceamonth.
InMarchwearelookingforwardtohostingafriendlydayofcroquetagainst16membersfromSawtell.
WewelcomevisitorssoifanyoneisinSouthWestRockspleasecontactmyself(BevGannaway)on65666002.WeplayMonday,WednesdayandFridaymorningsfrom9amtomidday.
ThefirstmeetingoftheNowraCroquetclubwasheldintheNowraBowlingclubpavilionon17May1922withsixteenladiespresenttoformNowracroquetclub.TheBowlingclubownedatenniscourtattherearoftheirbowlinggreenwhichthetennisclubwerenolongerusingsothecroquetcommitteeofferedtorentthetenniscourtfromthebowlingclubifthebowlerswouldaddasmalladditionalareatoenablethemtolaydownacroquetlawn.
Thiswasagreedandthecroquetlawnwasreadyfortheofficialopeningon4May1923.TheclubremainedatthebowlingclubuntilinApril1937whenthebowlingclubannouncedtheirintentiontosellthearea.Thecroquetclubofferedtopaythebowlingclubthreehundredpoundsfortheland,butthisofferwasrefused.
TheclubthenapproachedtheNowracouncilaskingforitsassistanceinfindingapieceofland27yardsby38yardssuitableforacroquetlawn.CouncilrepliedbyinvitingtheladiestomeettheirworkscouncilandofferedtheareaattheNowrashowgroundsjustinsidethememorialgates.TheCluboccupiedthisspaceuntilthenewlawnsinCambewarraRoad,Bomaderry,werebuiltin2008.ThefirstgameswereplayedonthenewcourtsatBomaderryon21February2009,withtheofficialopeningon27May2009.
AtthetimethecourtsatBomaderrywerebuilttherewasnotenoughmoneytobuildaclubhousesoclubmembersusedtheamenitiesoftheBomaderryswimmingpoolandbeganworktoraisefundstobuildaclubhouseandamenityblockbyholdingastallattheBomaderryrotaryclubmarketseachmonth,applyingforgrantsandhostingProbusClubdays.Whenwefirstbeganitwasfeltthatmostofuswouldnotlivetoseetheclubhousebuilt,butnowwearereadytobeginwork.InjustontwoyearswehaveraisedenoughmoneywiththehelpoftheShoalhavenCityCounciltobuildadoublebrickstructurelargeenoughforourneedswithtwotoiletsasterlingeffortforasmallclubwithonly48members.
Bomaderrycroquetclubwillcelebrateits90thbirthdayon17May2012
Thiswasourbiggesteventwith20pairscompeting.Rain,hail,thunder&lightningwashedusoutononedayandthreatenedontwootherdays.WeappreciatedthesportsmanshipofRin&Lenora,whocamebackearlythefollowingmorningfromWollongongtocompletethreehoops,ratherthanletdowntheplayerswhowerefightingforpositionsinthequarterfinals.Wehadsomeveryhardfoughtgames,withmorethan50%ofthegamesgoingtoeither76or75.DuetoboththeweatherthreateningandthefactthatSutherlandhadonlyonecourtavailablethequarterfinalswereplayedasone19pointgame,withalltheplayersenjoyingtheexperience.SemifinalistswereRosJohnstone&MurielJones,JohnEddes&DennisFaggotter,BillCoull&GaryMatthews,andBernieMcAlary&CarolHayes.
HurstvillehostedourfinaldaywiththefinalsoftheOpengolfcroquetdoubleshandicapfollowedbyanexcellentluncheonandpresentation.Thedayincludedplentyoflaughs,goodcompany,camaraderieandtallstoriesabouttheshotthatgotaway.Feedbackfromplayersindicatedthetournamentwasverysuccessfulandliveduptotheexpectationsofafriendlyandfunendofyeartournament.
Wewouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankthevenuemanagers,someofwhommanagedforthefirsttime,allofwhomhelpedmakethetournamentrunsosmoothly.Wewouldliketothanktherefereesfromthehostclubswhogaveoftheirtimesowillinglyandaspecialthankyoutothoserefereesfromotherclubswhowhenaskedtohelpoutobligedsowillingly:HeatherSmallbone[Chatswood],DennisFaggotter[Cammeray],MargaretSawers[Nowra]&BillHaynes[BlueMountains]Allclubsalsohadtheassistanceofthebackboneofanyclub,thehelpers,andathankyougoesouttothem.Alsoabigthankyoutotheplayerswhosupportedthecarnivalthisyear,manyofwhomhavesupportedthiscarnivalovermanyyears.Anytournamentisonlyasgoodasitsentrants,supportedbymanagersandrefereesandhelpers.
ItisunfortunatethatCNSWinitswisdomisrunningbothAssociationandGolfcroqueteventsthatwillclashwiththeMakaraeventswhichhavebeenrunatthistimeoftheyearforthe27yearsoftheMakara’shistory.Let’shopethedivideandconquerruledoesnotapplyandthatcroquetwillnotbetheloserbecauseofsuchclashes.
TheMakaraisadvertisedasaFUNyearendtournament,andwebelieveit liveduptoitsreputation,offriendship,camaraderieandcompetitivegames.
LookingforwardtoseeingyouallagaininOct/Nov2011whentheSouthernclubswillagainhosttheMakara.
The Shoalhaven Shield competition between Bundanoon&NowratookplaceonFriday29thOctober.Theresultswere:
Bundanoonwonthematchongames,howeverNowraactuallyscoredmorehoops.GrahamCullenverynearlyturnedthetablesinhisdoublesgame.Withthescore713againsthim,andtimealreadycalled,heplayedamagnificentsixpointbreakfrom2backtopegouthisball,leavingthescore13all.HadhisbreakleftMaryinhoop1position,Nowracouldeasilyhavewonthegameandthereforethematch.AsitwasBundanoonhadlittledifficultyrunninganotherhoop,whichwasPenultimate.AshewasshakinghandsandabouttowalkoffthelawnJackiesaid"David,whynotrunRoveraswell?",sohewalkedbacktohisballnexttothepeganddidso.
DavidArcher(6) * 26 7 GrahamCullen(7)
LeilaMerson(12) 8 26 * MargaretSawers(11)
JackieCrosslé(18) 3 22 * FayLochrin(18)
CharlesCook(18) * 16 12 ColleenMcIntyere(20)
LeilaMerson&IanMcClelland
* 18 14 MargaretSawers&FayLochrin
DavidArcher&JackieCrosslé
* 15 13 GrahamCullen&MaryDunn
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 8 21/02/11 9:42 AM
Thenovice’stechnicalgamewasabovestandardwith6gamespeggedout.Withalittlemoreexperienceincourtcraft,wewillseerapidimprovers. Wal has reestablished himself as a silver player. Welldone.Allplayerswereimpressivewith9pegoutsover15games
Ted,whowasplayinginhisfirsttournament,peggedout4 of 5 games and made in the one game a break of 12followed by another break of 12. Our congratulationsTed. The play of the day went to John Love with abrilliantgolfshotwhichwonthehoop. Bob,competedinMakaraBronzedivisionin2008,wasrunnerupintheSilverdivision2009,andnowwinsthePlatinum/Golddivisionin2010
undefeated.ItwasgreattoseePat&Walbackincompetitionagain. .Theeventproducedsomegoodbattles.
Astherewereonly4entrantsallmatcheswereplayedtothebestof3andallwerehardfought.
Thisdivisionwaswellrepresentedwith13entrantswhoenjoyedthecompetitionandcamaraderie.AftersomehardfoughtgamesthesemifinalistswereLenoraEverton,BernieMcAlary,IanSubbi,&JohnLove.
22October—12November2010
Theverysuccessful27thMakaraCroquetCarnivalwascohostedbythefollowingcroquetclubs:Coogee,Holroyd,Hurstville,Marrickville,PortHacking,Strathfield,SutherlandandWollongong.
TheMakaraissonamedinhonouroftheEmusisterswhospurnedtheadvancesoftheWanjinmenwhopursuedtheEmusisterstothefarendoftheearth.TothisdaytheWanjinmen,whoinaboriginallegendarenowtheconstellationofOrion,arestillpursuingthesisters,knownasthesevensistersstars.
InadowntoearthsensethismeansthattheWanjinmentriedtorainonourparadeagainthisyear.Rainthreatenedonanumberofdays,andontwoafternoonswehadsomeverysoggyplayers.HoweveronthelastMondayofthetournamenttheheavensopened,thunder,lightning,torrentialrainandhail,leftourlawns10cmunderwaterinthespaceofhalfanhour.ItwasanotherMakaraexperiencepeggingdowntwogamesinthetorrentialrain.
Nineseparateeventswereheldatsevenvenuesovertheperiod.65CNSWmembersparticipatedandwithsomeplayersplayinginmorethatoneevent,theMakarahadatotalof95evententrants.EntrantscamefromBlueMountains,Tamworth,Jamberoo,Eastwood,Epping,Chatswood,HuntersHill,Manly,Mosman,Cammeray,aswellasfromthehostclubs.
Thecarnivalcoverseventsinbothassociationcroquetandgolfcroquet,cateringforalllevelsofplayfromnovicetoplatinum/Division1.Thestandardinalleventswasexcellentwithsomegreatstandoutplays
Whenourlocalherotookupcroquetfiveyearsagoattheageof75,hehadalottoprove.First,thatageisnobarrierandsecond,thatifyou’redeterminedandpreparedtoputinthehardworkthennothingisimpossible.WhatRayhasn’tsaidisthathavinganaturaltalentisalsouseful,especiallyifyou’vefrequentedbilliardhallsinyouryouth,playedReservegradeVFLforFitzroyandplayedoffatwohandicapingolfforabout40years!Rayrecallsthetimehewasinvitedtoparticipateinabilliardsexhibitionbythe
legendaryWalterLindrumandasamereyouthhescoredabreakof96,whichbyanymeasureisexceptional.Wewon’tmentionWalter’sscore!
WiththehelpofForster’s“evergreen”currentcoachandClubChampion,JuneNixon,Rayprogresseddownthehandicapscale,studiedandpracticedwithanappetitefordetailsandknowledge,gotontothe“TournamentCircuit”withgrowingsuccesses,recentlytakingouttheNSWSinglesGCHandicaptittleinthebestofthreefromourotherpopularRegionalChampion,JoeDimech(Taree).
RayhassubsequentlybeeninvitedtojointheStateDevelopmentSquad,continuestoprovetheadage“practicemakesperfect”.TripleandquadruplepeelsandazerohandicapinAssociationarehisnextgoalsandwe’rebehindhimalltheway.Notbadfor80!Welldone,Ray.
Weweremostfortunatetohaveexaminingreferees,JimHicks(picturedleft)&PamDurie,enteredintheSpringCarnivalandtooktheadvantageofhavingthemtakeour18refereesandaspiringrefereesthroughanexcellenttwohourcourseonthedaybeforetheCarnival.Theyalsogavetheirprecioustimebetweenplaytotestandpassourfournewrefs”.Inthewordsofthefamouscricket
commentator(BillLawry),“Thosetwowereaclassact”!
AnothersuccessfulSwissCarnivalwasenjoyedbyourcompetitorsoverfivedays,withnumerouspegouts!Andinperfectfine,crispsunnyconditions—well,mostly!Thefewdropsofraininthefinalcoupleofhourscertainlydidn’tdampenthespiritoftheoccasion.
Allthreeblockswerekeenlycontestedwithatleastthreeineachgoingintothefinaldaywithfourwins.BlockA,wonbyourhomegown“OBE”RayVizefromTrevorBlack(Maitland),wasanabsoluteheartstopper.Trevor’sblack(pardonthepun)peggedoutredandwithRay’s
yellowonroverandblackonfour,Trevorsystematicallyproceededtobridgethegap.BlackreachedroverwhenRayfinallygotintotakethegame2624.
TwootherBlockAgamesweresimilarlypeggedouttoleaveexciting3ballfinishes.RunnerupStephenHowes2624againstourownBarbaraMcTienaninanothertitanicstruggle.
BlocksB&CproducedoutstandinghusbandandwifewinnersinMargaretandRobLeese(Sawtell),with107netpointsbetweenthemandreducingtheirhandicapsintheprocess.
Ournewfourthcourthaditsfirstmajortestingandfromvisitors’commentsitmatchesthefinestandardofitsthreeolderbrothers!Nextyearweproposetochangea3dayCarnivalintotwo2½hourgamesperday,advancedplay.
Congratulationtoourtwopartnersincrime,AnnBurns&JuneNixon,fortheirmeticulousandhappymanagement.
ThiswasfloodingonthelawnsofWaggaWaggaClubearlyDecember.Thelawnsprettywellwentcompletelyunderwater,but,amazingly,thenextday,Saturday,allwasclear,andweplayedcroquet.
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 9 21/02/11 9:42 AM
Anovercastmorninggreeted24hardenedGolfCroquetenthusiasts,eachsuitablyattiredtoreflecttheoccasion.WhatlayaheadwasadaypackedwithtraditionalAussiedelicacies……lamingtons,dampers,AnzacBiscuits(allbeitafewmonthsearly)whilethoughtsweredriftingofftoanicecoldTooheysorVB.Nonetheless,wewereprimedforadaypackedwithfun,chatter,andtheoccasionalgameofcroquet.
After a couple of games it was time to devour thescrumptiousmorning tea. Bynow thecloudshad rolledaway and a picturesque and scorching Australia dayawaited,withonlytheverykeeninterestedinplaying.Itwas time for the rest to sit around and partake in thetraditionofchatting.
An Aussie BBQ lunch worthy of the occasion awaitedwithallthetrimmings.Attheend of the day presentationswere made to the variousprizewinners.PreparationsarewellinhandforboththeAssociation&GolfTournamentstobeheldinMarch&April.MarilynBenson&BrendaEvanshaveputmanyhours
intotheorganizationoftheseevents.WiththecompletionofourthirdlawnandtherenovationstoourotherlawnsoverChristmasalllawnsareintopplayingconditions.
TheClubcelebratedintrueOzfashionhatstokeepoffthesunhatstokeepofftherain,
Ozflagcapestoblowinthebreeze.
WetriedoutGateballandthelawnresoundedwithcriesof"Footontheball!","No,onYOURball!","No,movetheroquetedballtositnexttoyourball!"
andthebytimeourAssociationindoctrinatedplayershaditsetupright,theumpirewouldcall"TimeOut!"
TherewasBundygingerbeer,lamingtonsanddamperwithgoldensyrupformorningtea,andwepolishedoffwhatwasleftatlunchtime.Itwasveryhot,butwehadalotoffun.
ItwasanalldayaffaircommencingwithBridgefrom11amto3pmwithachampagnelunchat1pm.Nosoonerhadthefirstlotofglassesanddishesbeenwashedwhenthesecondstagewasduetocommenceat5pm.Someofuscouldnotlastuntilthensowestartedtocelebrateat4pm.AssoonasthedaystartedtocoolthediehardsstrolledovertoLawn4forGolfCroquethopingthattheworkerswouldgetthebarbecuegoingwhichtheydid.Weheededthetelevisionmessagetoputlambonthebarbieandallbroughtourcutletsandlambsausages.Theeveningwassereneandwearesoenjoyingourextendedconcretesurroundingtheclubhouse(seephotooftablesoutsideclubhouse).TheeveningwasatestimonytothecommunityspiritofAustralia.Wehadlotsoflaughterandenjoyedthejokesbroughtalong.
TheBirpaipeoplearetheTraditionalownersofalllandandwatersoftheforeshoresoftheGreaterPortMacquariearea.OnAustraliaDaytheSecondSaltwaterFreshwaterFestival,celebratingthecultureandheritageoftheBirpaipeople,washeldalongthoseforeshoresatWestportPark.Theyhaddisplaysandworkshopsinart,weaving,didgeridooplaying...aswellasmusicandactsontwostages.
AcoupleofhundredmetresawaywecelebratedAustraliaDayattheCroquetClub,playinggolfcroquetandenjoyingabarbecuewithdelicioussaladsandscrumptiousdesserts.Agooddaywashadbyall,asevidencedbythephotocollageatthetopofthenextpage.
MembershavewelcomedtheNewYearofcroquetwithgoodattendancesonallplayingdaysdespitethehotand/orwetweather.WeheldaveryenjoyableAustraliaDayBBQandplayedsomegreatgamesofcroquet.Anotherpopulareventwas‘Doug’sDay’(sponsoredbyourVicePresident,DougLeabeater).
CominguplaterinFebruaryisaninterclubvisittoOrangefortwodaysofgolfcroquetandpreparationiswellunderwayforourAutumnCarnivalinMarchwhenweexpecttohostover50visitorstoYoung.
Theclubwillbeinstallingfloodlightingontwocourtsinthenearfuturewhichwillallowextendedplayingtimesforbothsocialandcompetitionevents.Theclubwillalsobeabletopromote‘Twilight’croquetwhichwehopewillencourageinterestfromthoseinthecommunitywhoarenotabletoplayinthedaytime.
Some50people–members,familyandfriends–bravedtheheattocomeandenjoyourAustraliaDayGalaDay.Winnersofthefungameswere:Ladder,LynneRoberts;HoopAngles,LorraineWest;Bull’sEye,KayMaslen;StopShot,PegJones;KillingtheDolls,SueGordon;Bagatelle,avisitor,Richard;HoleintheWall,JoeCarey;Tunnel,Christian(SusanHowe’sboss);andtheDogLegwasatiebetweenStaffordLoader&AndrewMorrison
Asusual,theclubheldaGolfSinglesTournamentsponsoredbyMaitlandCityCouncil.TherewerethirtysixplayersparticipatingfromMaitlandandvariousclubsincludingWollongong,Lismore,MacquarieCity,NewcastleNationalPark,Branxton,Sutherland,MyallPark,Toronto,MountSugarloaf,EDSACCandStrathfield.
Thecompetitionwasdividedintosixblocksaccordingtohandicapswithplaycommencingat8amandcontinuingthroughto5pm.Theweatherwasextremeandtestedmanyplayerswhosoughtshadyareasandcooldrinksbetweengames.Asprinklerwasinstalledforthereliefofplayers,whichmanytookadvantageoftocooldown.ThetournamentwasinthecapablehandsofMaitlandGolfGamesCaptain,LynnDooley,andherassistantRobynCompton,whileMargaretThompsonfromNelsonBayClubwastheTournamentReferee.ThedaywasagreatsuccessduetothesupportgivenbythevolunteersfromMaitlandClubandvisitorswhoassistedwithrefereeing,timekeeping,catering,lawnmaintenanceandscoring.
TheMayorofMaitlandandClubPatron,PeterBlakemore,attendedandwithassistancefromClubPresident,JanetDahlenburg,presentedthewinnerswiththeirprizemoneyattheendofthetournament.
68530_CroquetNSW_March2010.indd 10 21/02/11 9:42 AM