Bundaberg hosts the Queensland Ricochet Open Doubles

On the 8th and 9th December, Bundaberg Club finally hosted The Queensland Ricochet Open Doubles after this event was postponed in October due to wet weather. The teams were competing for the chance to have their names placed on the Jim and Betty Finemore Shield. The Winners and Runners up also received a CAQ Trophy celebrating 100 years of Croquet to mark this event. Jim Finemore attended and presented the Shield and Trophies to the successful players. The Winners: Frank Meek (Isis) and Judy Williams (Sunnyside). Runners Up were Peter Spinks (Hervey Bay) and Joy Boys (Bundaberg)

Club members gathered for our Annual Christmas Luncheon combined with the presentation of Awards and Trophies and the function saw the following members rewarded for their achievements. Association H/cap Singles Winner: Roy Pemberton and Runner Up: Gordon Cooper. Ricochet H/cap Singles Winner: Bob Brydon who received the Cal Toft Perpetual Trophy for this event. Runner up: Glen Stronach. Glen also received the Jim Finemore Trophy for the Highest Break in Ricochet for 2022. Golf Croquet H/cap Singles Winner: Russell Davis. Runner Up: Bob Brydon.

GC H/cap Doubles Winners: Joy Boys and Russell Davis. Runners Up: June Hutton and Beryl Dittmann.

We gave ourselves an early Christmas present with the acquisition of a new Stiga Combi to make life easier for our members with the mowing of the surrounds and the mulching of the soft green waste from the gardens. We are all very thankful to Craig for doing the groundwork and to Waldos the Mower Doctor for helping facilitate the deal.

Janice Ing being handed the keys for the Stiga Combi by Wayne from Waldo's

Our lawns have received some much needed attention over the Christmas break. The lads from Lawn Lab have done an excellent job with scarifying, coring and then top dressing all four lawns. With the hard work done our resident Irrigation Whisperer Peter was left in charge. He was seen walking the perimeters looking at the lawns and then looking at the skies. Eventually the rains arrived and he literally sat watching the grass grow. The lawns are looking great. We have reopened and are back in the business of enjoying our favourite pastime – Playing Croquet.

The lads from Lawn Lab doing a great job scarifying the lawns

We had a lovely morning tea to start the year and help our oldest member Harry Palmer celebrate his 91st birthday. We would like to share with you a poem written by Harry to help motivate us all for the start of play this year.

Year 22 has left us, Year 23 we now face. Let's all get our mallets and tread our lawns with grace. The lawns have had a facelift, they look their very best, awaiting our eager players to put them to the test. The game of croquet is relaxing, and the time is certainly worthwhile. With our mates the companionship makes you happy and brings out all your smiles. So lets make this year a special. May you roquet every ball. Good health, wealth and best wishes. Good croquet to you all.

Poet and birthday boy, Harry Palmer

Del Smith

By Del Smith, Bundaberg. From the Croquet Newsletter, January/February 2023, pages 6-8.