Humid weather slowed some activity at Byron Bay, with members often choosing early morning starts or late afternoon games over Christmas and New Year. Nothing dampened enthusiasm for the BBCC Christmas Ball, with the program overseen by newly installed Vice-President Stuart Elliott.

Members were invited to come as their favourite ball and take part in competitions including Blindfold Croquet, the Egg and Ball Relay and Backward Ball Battering. Elegant attire featured among diners, who then sat down to a wonderful meal and seasonal toasts.

The Christmas Ball also showed the club needs to expand its gazebo to better cater for visitors during Association and state titles. The committee is investigating support for the project.

As holiday makers returned to Byron Bay, the club’s onfield focus turned to defending its Northern Rivers pennant record of three successive titles. The pennant is restricted to players with handicap eight and above, and there is interest in a possible new grade for players with handicaps of eight and below after several members played themselves out of the current grade with an undefeated Northern Rivers pennant season last year.

Byron Bay members during the holiday season.

By Colin Beaton for Barbara Barrett, Byron Bay. From the Croquet Newsletter, January/February 2026, pages 8, 9.