Caloundra re-elects Sue Dixon as President, wins at Eildon Gateball

The club held a successful AGM in August at which all positions were filled. Once again Sue Dixon was elected as President. On the new committee we have Ricki Barrett (VP), John Nealer (Treasurer), Fran Meem (Secretary), along with Robyn Brown, Sam Oaten and Kath Wood. Howard Williams has retained the position as Club Captain.

Despite the interruptions to play throughout the past year due to the weather and other factors (Covid and Flu), Treasurer John was able to inform members that we finished the year in credit. Consequently playing fees will not be increased for 2023.

In a previous report the club stated that it had received a grant in excess of $50,000 to do extensive drainage on our newer courts. However, after further consultation with the members, the committee has decided to modify this and use this money to upgrade the surfaces on all six courts, doing two courts at a time. Quotes are now being sought and work will commence when the weather is suitable. At the present time all courts are looking fine now that the cutting blades and grooming rollers of our mower have been updated.

Murray Tinker recently travelled to Adelaide to participate in the Australia GC Mens Singles Championship. There were four blocks of 12 competing in this event. Unfortunately, with five wins from 11 games in his block, Murray did not progress to play in the knockout final. However he did beat Ross Rillie (Headland) in his match, and Ross made the final 16 and progressed all the way through this knockout event to the final.

Robert Fletcher has recently joined our club. Robert is a world ranked GC and AC player. He has not participated in any club play, however he has been using our courts for practice. Robert recently participated in the World GC singles event in Sussex, England and made it to the Semi-finals. Robert has very recently won two invitational AC events in Victoria.

Our AC players are currently playing in their club championships, Singles (handicap and Level play) as well as doubles. Level 1 GC players have already nominated for their club championship, and hopefully we can get members to participate in a level 2 GC event as well.

The club held the annual Doug Jones Memorial GC Event on the 13th and 15th September. This event was a handicap event for GC members with a handicap 8 or above. On the Tuesday the players played a round robin event in groups to determine the finalists. On Thursday the four finalists, Sue Dixon, Shirley Boland, Ron Duggleby and Trish Williams, competed for the trophy. Sue Dixon was the winner with Ron Duggleby runner up.

Ron Duggleby congratulating Sue Dixon on her win.

Last Saturday 17 September, our Gateball team of Robyn Brown, Glenda Johnson, Glenda Windust, Kath Hayes, Howard Williams and Kerry Helmrich played in a teams event hosted by the Eildon club. There were six teams in the event: Pine Rivers, Caloundra and two teams from both Southport and Eildon. At the completion of the play Caloundra and Eildon White both had four wins and one loss. However, Caloundra had a better net hoops so were declared the winners.

The winning Caloundra Gateball team: Glenda Johnson, Kath, Robyn, Howard, Glenda Windust and Kerry.

Once again we sincerely thank the Eildon club for its generous hospitality during the day. The Toowoomba Gateball Carnival will be held on the three days 1 to 3 October. Caloundra will be playing in the teams event and three pairs will be playing in the doubles event. We wish them well.

By Howard Williams, Caloundra. From the Croquet Newsletter, October 2022, pages 9-11.