Byron has had three referees available for the recent competitions: Max Donati, Dennise Simmons and Denis Cummings. Their dedication and conscientiousness is always appreciated, even down on hands and knees to check balls through hoops in rainy conditions.

Members of the Byron Bay Croquet Club have been active at a number of different levels over the last two months. Captain Max has offered coaching for those members who have an eight or higher handicap and aspire to play in the Northern Rivers Pennant Competition. His service in delivering a wealth of insight on many tactics that enhance rising skill levels has benefited the Byron players.

Byron Bay Pennants team, left to right: Udo Moerig, Colin Beaton, Alan Heathcote, Gerd Modlich.

Defending the 2025 pennant win, Byron Bay has lost only to Alstonville in the current season. However, due to the weather and the uncertainty about how the fuel crisis might affect travel arrangements, the pennant competition is currently in recess after eight rounds. With two rounds to finish, the pennant season is due to resume in August, unfortunately without the Ballina Croquet Club which is currently without a home ground. Stuart Elliott continues to organise a practice session for Level 1 and 2 players on Tuesday morning.

Another level of coaching at a higher level is provided once a month at Byron for players from the Northern Rivers under the eye of David Scott, who is from the Ballina Club and also an associate Byron Club member. This opportunity is catering for players who are credibly aiming for state squad or state team selection.

Werner Borkhardt recently competed in the CNSW Open Singles Championship in Sydney.

Werner Borkhardt at the CNSW Open Singles Championship in Sydney.

Closer to home, six of our players enjoyed two days at Coolangatta's Annual Birthday Competition. Doubles partners Helen McKay and Alan Heathcote, along with Dennise Simmons and Stuart Elliott, played in the Semi Finals. Alan and Helen went on to be runners-up in what was a very cordial and enjoyable experience all round.

BBCC members at Coolangatta Annual Birthday Competition: Helen McKay, Alan Heathcote, Udo Moerig, Dennise Simmons, Colin Beaton, Stuart Elliott.

Away from the lawns, nine of our members took on our annual fundraiser which entailed signing over 800 competitors in the Annual Byron Bay triathlon over the Anzac Day weekend. Besides the healthy financial gain, our members greatly enjoyed the change of sign-in venue from the Byron Surf Club to the Stone and Wood Brewery, with local brews included for the workers. The company that organises triathlons up and down the coast had been so impressed by the efforts of our well trained crew that we may possibly be employed in the future at another nearby venue.

Gerd and Inga Modlich.

Alan Heathcote and Helen McKay, runners up at Coolangatta Birthday Competition.

Quite a number of our players have taken a step back from Croquet as the lawns have been unfit to play due to rain on a number of occasions, allowing for a few holiday trips. Before whisking Inga away to Germany for a three month holiday, Gerd supplied a pavlova delight so that club members could join in a celebration of Inga's birthday.

Press release from Germany: Gerd and Inga watched the three day German Championship near Hamburg, held on a private farm with an excellent playing ground. The 50 active members from all over the country (only three clubs in Germany) gave an impressive performance. Gerd did add, the best food imaginable. Visitors from New Zealand enjoyed some hospitality and assistance from Max and Dennise. Their wives enjoyed the spa and shopping opportunities around Byron and have been invited to join in on their next visit.

Our NZ guests with Max Donati and Dennise Simmons.

Our Club plays Golf Croquet on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday afternoons. Ricochet is played on Wednesday morning and Saturday afternoons. Visitors are very welcome.

Denis Cummings, Alan Heathcote and Udo Moerig organised and erected an extension to the Club's pergola. Now the extended tables for our gatherings will be all under cover.

Colin Beaton & Barbara Barrett

By Colin Beaton & Barbara Barrett. From the Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2026, pages 11-14.