Caloundra celebrates Christmas awards, new courts and Australia Day play

Thirty-two Caloundra members enjoyed a Christmas lunch on Saturday 6 December, organised by Cathy McBrien and her elves. It was a chance to celebrate another successful year and present club awards. Club Captain Murray Tinker supplied certificates for the recipients.

Golf Croquet awards went to Murray Tinker in Div 1, Richard Walsh in Div 2 and Warren Harding in Div 3. Faye Carr won the Doug Jones Trophy for Handicap. Association Croquet awards went to Sam Oaten in Div 2 and Ricki Barrett in Div 3. Robyn Brown was Gateball Player of the Year, while Most Improved Player honours went to Faye Carr for 2024 and Warren Harding for 2025.

Cathy and happy elves at Caloundra's Christmas lunch.

Annie Pabst-Reeves won the best dressed prize, pictured with President Howard.

President Howard with best dressed winner Annie.

Caloundra now has all six courts operational, with courts 3 and 6 marked and hoops set after upgrades. AC players Murray, Sam, Howard and Don were the first members to try the courts.

Murray and Sam on Court 3.

The kitchen upgrade is almost complete thanks to Robyn Brown’s work, with Don Helrich also helping. Construction had delays after one bench top was too short and a replacement was damaged in transit, but the third bench top is installed and plumbing was due the following week.

Australia Day celebrations began at 3.30pm with fun lawn and clubhouse activities. Heat kept numbers down, but ten pairs of members and visitors took part. The event finished with sausages, salad and icecream. The winning pair was Ricki Barrett and Warren Harding, each receiving a bottle of wine and a place on the Australia Day trophy.

Ricki Barrett and Warren Harding with Murray after winning the Australia Day event.

By Howard Williams, Caloundra. From the Croquet Newsletter, January/February 2026, pages 9-12.