Croquet Clubs Are More Than Just Mallets

Bribie Island Croquet Club, ready for a Gala Day (Bribie Island Croquet Club)

Croquet brings people to the club. Very often it is the lunch, the laughter and the stories afterwards that keep them coming back. Around Queensland, clubs have been finding all sorts of ways to enjoy each other's company. Here is what some of them have been up to.

At Eildon, Christmas does not wait for December. The club's Christmas in July is a popular part of the year, and the club calls it famous. In 2026 it was held on Wednesday 15 July, with a festive midday lunch at the clubhouse: good food, good company and plenty of Christmas cheer.

Eildon members also gather each month for BBQ nights. A few games of croquet start things off, and then everyone settles in for food, drinks and fellowship. Members and guests are welcome. The club has held a Curry Night too, with a table full of curries, plenty of laughter and some friendly games out on the courts with family and friends.

Southport celebrated Christmas in style. A large group of members went to Emerald Lakes Golf Club for a two-course lunch overlooking the lake and course. There was a ring toss game, and one member played it wearing reindeer antlers. On a separate outing, the social committee organised a cruise around the Runaway Bay canals to see the Christmas lights.

Southport found another reason to celebrate in March with an early St Patrick's Day. Players wore green, then enjoyed a buffet of home-cooked food after play.

Southport members at the Emerald Lakes Golf Club Christmas lunch (Southport's Christmas lunch)

The club's gateball players also share their birthdays. Members with birthdays at the end of February and start of March gathered for a joint lunch at the cafe at Hinze Dam, followed by cake baked by a fellow member. One of those celebrating was turning 97.

Eildon members share dinner and drinks after a BBQ night (Eildon's BBQ night)

Southport runs sausage sizzles at Bunnings that help the club's finances. Members and shoppers have given them strong support, and more are planned. The sizzles are also a casual get-together for members who have not properly met yet.

When wet weather kept players off the courts, Southport opened the clubhouse on Wednesday mornings for Mahjong. Members and friends now come along to play, and it does not take any time away from croquet. Eildon members play Mahjong on Thursdays, and Toombul has a Mahjong Tuesday.

Members with visiting comedian Julia Wilson at Headland-Buderim's Friday GC session (Headland-Buderim welcomes a visiting player)

At Headland-Buderim, the Friday morning golf croquet group had a special guest. Comedian Julia Wilson, a member of Manly Croquet Club in New South Wales, joined their session in between her three shows on the Sunshine Coast. The members made sure she felt right at home.

Members play on the lawn at Burleigh Heads Palm Beach (Burleigh Heads Palm Beach's Family Fun Day)

Burleigh Heads Palm Beach throws open its gates for a Family Fun Day. The June day ran from 10am to 2pm, with lunch and a drink included in the entry fee. There was music, raffles, croquet games, activities and prizes for the children. Beginners were welcome, and members were on hand to teach the game. It gave younger family members a chance to pick up a mallet and have a go.

At Bribie Island, Gala Days are all about mixing. Players are put into colour teams, such as White, Blue, Red and Yellow, and play with a range of partners through the day. The club's Random Doubles Gala Day is designed to feel more like a party than a tournament. In April, an autumn-themed Gala Day filled seventeen places, some of them with players taking part for the first time.

Perhaps your club could hold a Christmas in July, a Mahjong morning or a random doubles day. If you have a social event coming up, let Hoopla know below this story.