No. 17Saturday 30 May 2026Brisbane, queensland

HOOPLA!

THE digital NEWSPAPER FOR QUEENSLAND CROQUET

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People enjoy croquet in many different ways

Wynnum: Wet weather halts play at Wynnum Croquet ClubWynnum

Wet weather halts play at Wynnum Croquet Club

Heavy rain has forced another washout at the Wynnum club, but the lawns remain busy with local birdlife.

Wynnum: Wildlife observations around the Wynnum croquet lawnsWynnum

Wildlife observations around the Wynnum croquet lawns

Members can often spot local wildlife near the Wynnum Creek lawns. A recent morning brought sightings of a noisy miner and a white heron.

Wynnum: A quiet morning on the lawns at WynnumWynnum

A quiet morning on the lawns at Wynnum

A brief glimpse into the natural life that shares the Wynnum croquet lawns during a light drizzle.

Caloundra: Caloundra hosts the Queensland Open Singles Golf Croquet ChaCaloundra

Caloundra hosts the Queensland Open Singles Golf Croquet Championship

Caloundra welcomes 21 players for the Queensland Open Singles Golf Croquet Championship this weekend. Despite recent heavy rain, the courts are ready and clear skies are forecast.

Headland-Buderim: A perfect day and wonderful skies at the clubHeadland-Buderim

A perfect day and wonderful skies at the club

Members shared a quiet moment of appreciation for a beautiful day under clear skies. It was a perfect afternoon at the club.

Eildon: Eildon club member Desley Bischoff becomes official GC referEildon

Eildon club member Desley Bischoff becomes official GC referee

Desley Bischoff has been appointed as an official Australian GC referee. She received her vest and badge at a recent club presentation.

Burleigh Heads Palm Beach: Burleigh Heads Palm Beach hosts a family fun dayBurleigh Heads Palm Beach

Burleigh Heads Palm Beach hosts a family fun day

The Burleigh Heads Palm Beach Croquet Club invites families to a fun day featuring beginner lessons, lunch, raffles and activities. Bookings are limited.

Wynnum: Wynnum's 1925 'Glum Ladies' photo captures historyWynnum

Wynnum's 1925 'Glum Ladies' photo captures history

The inaugural 1925 black and white photograph, known as the 'Glum Ladies' photo, shows women in elegant white dresses and hats, reflecting the serious style of early photography when croquet was a ladies' pastime.

Wynnum: Wynnum croquet club celebrates twenty-one years of communityWynnum

Wynnum croquet club celebrates twenty-one years of community growth

Twenty-one years after its founding, Wynnum Croquet Club continues to thrive while proudly maintaining its traditions and strengthening ties with the local community.

Wynnum: Wynnum croquet club celebrates a century of communityWynnum

Wynnum croquet club celebrates a century of community

More than 60 members gathered to mark the club’s centenary, capturing how the sport has evolved into a welcoming modern community.

Wynnum: A century of friendship and croquet at WynnumWynnum

A century of friendship and croquet at Wynnum

A centenary photograph highlights a century of friendship, competition and community spirit at the historic Wynnum Croquet Club.

Headland-Buderim: Headland-Buderim members compete in CQ GC Men's SinglesHeadland-Buderim

Headland-Buderim members compete in CQ GC Men's Singles

Headland-Buderim members Ross Rillie and Colin Beckett competed at the recent CQ GC Men's Singles event. Ross advanced to the championship knockout stage.

Wynnum: Wynnum players finish top four at CAQ men's openWynnum

Wynnum players finish top four at CAQ men's open

Cameron Hipwell and Geoff Hull represented Wynnum at the CAQ Men's Open Golf Croquet Singles. Both players secured impressive top-four finishes at the Windsor CC tournament.

Stephens: Backer claims Division 2 Medal at Stephens Croquet ClubStephens

Backer claims Division 2 Medal at Stephens Croquet Club

Croquet Queensland held their Association Croquet Division 2 Medal at Stephens Croquet Club, with Dennis Backer defeating Zach Kominar 21-7 in the final.

Eildon: A March WCF ruling for Association CroquetEildon

A March WCF ruling for Association Croquet

Eildon Croquet Club highlights a recent March WCF ruling for Association Croquet. Members are advised to review the updated official guidelines.

Stephens: Ernie Melville Division 3 and 4 winners at StephensStephens

Ernie Melville Division 3 and 4 winners at Stephens

Stephens Croquet Club hosted the Ernie Melville Division 3 and 4 event. Division 3 winner: Brian Rubock (Stephens). Division 4 winner: Penny Verrall (Eildon).

Eildon: Bob Martin wins the 2026 CAQ GC Men’s SinglesEildon

Bob Martin wins the 2026 CAQ GC Men’s Singles

Bob Martin has claimed victory at the 2026 CAQ GC Men’s Singles at Windsor. Several Eildon members competed, with the club wishing everyone luck at next weekend’s Caloundra event.

Wynnum: Wynnum lawns host another community social gatheringWynnum

Wynnum lawns host another community social gathering

Wynnum Croquet Club recently welcomed the Wynnum Manly Workers Social Club for a fun-filled day on the lawns. Our facilities remain open for community and corporate events.

Wynnum: Wynnum members enjoy a relaxed weekend croquet sessionWynnum

Wynnum members enjoy a relaxed weekend croquet session

Fifteen Wynnum members gathered for a relaxed weekend session, proving that croquet remains a gentle and enjoyable game regardless of Saturday night festivities.

Wynnum: Visiting group returns to Wynnum for another enjoyable dayWynnum

Visiting group returns to Wynnum for another enjoyable day

A familiar group of visitors returned to Wynnum Croquet Club for another day of friendly matches and creative play on the lawns.

Wynnum: Wynnum volunteers welcome an energetic visiting crewWynnum

Wynnum volunteers welcome an energetic visiting crew

A Wynnum volunteer shares a light-hearted moment after hosting a highly energetic group that showed no signs of slowing down.

Wynnum: Fun, friendship and community spirit at Wynnum Croquet ClubWynnum

Fun, friendship and community spirit at Wynnum Croquet Club

Wynnum Croquet Club members enjoyed a wonderful morning of fun, friendship and community spirit recently.

Coolum: Double birthday afternoon tea for Margaret and JohnCoolum

Double birthday afternoon tea for Margaret and John

Coolum Croquet Club hosted a double birthday afternoon tea to celebrate Margaret and John's special day, with cake provided for all.

Ipswich: Come and Try Croquet in Queens Park, IpswichIpswich

Come and Try Croquet in Queens Park, Ipswich

The Ipswich Croquet Club invites newcomers to a free come and try event at their Queens Park location. Afternoon tea is provided and RSVPs are essential due to limited numbers.

Eildon: Eildon Croquet Club wishes players well at Windsor tournamenEildon

Eildon Croquet Club wishes players well at Windsor tournament

Eildon Croquet Club sends its best wishes to Bob Martin, John Smith, Casey DeVene and Mike Mabbutt as they compete in the CAQ GC Men’s Singles at Windsor this weekend.

Headland-Buderim: Club members complete CPR and defibrillator training sessionHeadland-Buderim

Club members complete CPR and defibrillator training session

Headland-Buderim club members recently completed a practical CPR and defibrillator training session, gaining valuable skills for emergency situations.

Wynnum: Why we close the courts after heavy rainWynnum

Why we close the courts after heavy rain

Heavy rain can leave courts looking playable, but walking on saturated lawns causes lasting damage. We explain why temporary closures protect the turf for everyone.

Wynnum: A tiny striped visitor spotted at the Wynnum clubWynnum

A tiny striped visitor spotted at the Wynnum club

Club members recently spotted a tiny striped amphibian in the water. We are hoping it is a welcome frog rather than a toad.

Wynnum: Mushrooms appear across the Wynnum croquet lawnsWynnum

Mushrooms appear across the Wynnum croquet lawns

A recent wet spell has brought a charming display of wild mushrooms to the Wynnum club grounds.

Wynnum: Determined plovers navigate the wet lawns at WynnumWynnum

Determined plovers navigate the wet lawns at Wynnum

Local plovers carefully navigate the wet lawns at Wynnum Croquet Club in search of a quick snack.

All clubsSee everything from around Queensland →
In This Issue · FeaturesThree longer reads, plus a fourth in the works.

Features

The Water Conversation Clubs Need to Have ASAP
News

The Water Conversation Clubs Need to Have ASAP

CAQ opens the water conversation with QLD clubs ahead of the forecast dry El Niño winter-spring 2026. Three questions cl…

CroquetWade·16 Apr 2026
Fashion Takes Wing at Wynnum Croquet
News

Fashion Takes Wing at Wynnum Croquet

A sense of style and whimsy has arrived at the Wynnum Croquet Club, with one member sporting a particularly distinctive …

John van Barneveld·15 Apr 2026
Results · This WeekPennants Round 7 · State Singles · Toombul Open
Also This WeekMore reads from across the state.

More from
the lawns.

Shorter pieces — a thousand words or less — that didn't make the front page but earned a spot in the paper anyway.

From Visitor to PlayerNews

From Visitor to Player

There's a shift that happens around the fourth week. In Week 1, you're worried about the rules. You're conscious of stepping on the line or hitting the wrong ball. Everything feels slightly unfamiliar.

Could Croquet Halve Your Dementia Risk?News

Could Croquet Halve Your Dementia Risk?

You've probably heard that walking is good for your brain. Recent research puts numbers to it. A typical game of croquet involves walking the lawn for two to three hours. Players regularly hit 5,000 to 7,000 steps without noticing. The exercise happe

How Croquet's 'Chess on Grass' Strategy Keeps You SharpNews

How Croquet's 'Chess on Grass' Strategy Keeps You Sharp

Discover how the 'chess on grass' strategy of croquet provides a powerful brain workout, keeping your mind sharp through planning, spatial reasoning, and social competition.

Share Your Skills, Find Your Community: Become a Croquet HelperNews

Share Your Skills, Find Your Community: Become a Croquet Helper

Looking for a rewarding way to contribute your skills after retiring? Discover how becoming a croquet Helper can connect you with a vibrant community.

Are You Playing or Practising? A Top Player Explains the DifferenceNews

Are You Playing or Practising? A Top Player Explains the Difference

Most players who want to improve spend more time on the lawn. Mary McMahon says that's not enough. It depends on what you're doing out there.

Mary’s Practice Refining Her Technique Improved Her ResultsNews

Mary’s Practice Refining Her Technique Improved Her Results

If you've been stuck at a handicap for a while, this is what getting past it looks like. Every competitive player hits a ceiling. In 2022, Mary McMahon hit hers.