Dalby croquet lawn is officially opened

H*eading: DALBY CROQUET LAWN OFFICIALLY OPENED PERFORMED BY MRS. W. A. RUSSELL. Croquet Visitors Present.*

*Newspaper: The Dalby Herald*

*Date: Tuesday 27 April 1937, page 1*

*Found on: [Trove](https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217555679), National Library of Australia*

Amidst picturesque surroundings, the Dalby croquet lawn was officially opened for play by Mrs. W. A. Russell, of Jimbour House (patroness of the Dalby Croquet Club), on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a fairly large congregation of members, visitors from various parts of the district, and representatives of other croquet clubs. The president of the club (Mrs. Thos. Jack) drove the first ball across the lawn. In honour of the occasion, Mrs. Russell was presented with a silver teaspoon, the handle of which was shaped like a croquet mallet.

Included in the gathering were the Mayor (Ald. Thomas Jack), Aldermen J. J. Walsh, E. H. Geisel, Mesdames Freeman (president) and Eager (captain) of the Kingaroy Croquet Club, Mesdames McLean (president) and Miller (captain), of the West Toowoomba Croquet Club, and Mr. J. B. McLean (president of the Dalby Bowling Club). A party of Kingaroy croquet players were also present on the lawn.

The interior of the clubhouse was beautifully decorated, the plan of the embellishments being mainly the club's colours, yellow and blue. From a central [?point] on the ceiling, streamers with the two colours alternating, were festooned and caught up at a myriad places around the walls. Bowls containing many carnations, zinnias, gerberas, and roses adorned the afternoon-tea tables, while jardinieres of marigolds presented a vivid splash of colour on the verandah. Greenery relieved the severity and harshness of the corners of the verandah, while a row of flags made a gay display above the verandah railing. The afternoon tea tables had been arranged with the utmost care, and offered a silent invitation to partake of the appealing dainties provided for the entertainment of visitors.

The president extended a welcome to all who had attended the function. She said the club was sincerely grateful to the Town Council for providing the lawn and clubhouse. She [?expressed appreciation of the work of Ald. J. J. Walsh, chair]man of the works committee of the Council, and as Deputy-Mayor in the absence of Ald. Jack last year, had devoted a wonderful amount of work towards the fruition of the club's ambitions. Mr. H. E. Thorley (Town Clerk) had also given the club a great deal of assistance, for which it was particularly thankful. The club was indebted to Mrs. W. J. Vowles (past president) and the original committee for their pioneering work, and she also wished to accord her appreciation to the members of the Bowling Club for their valued help, and to Mr. H. Stephens, who, as green director, supervised the preparation of the lawn, and nutured it to its present excellent playing condition. She also thanked all those who had donated prizes and trophies, and others who had helped to establish the club in the progressive and successful position it occupied to-day.

The Mayor said that the Council had assisted the ladies only as much as it had assisted other organisations. The first thing it did in that direction was to provide loan money for the Bowling Club, which action had been fully justified, as the venture had proved highly successful, and the green and appointments could be classed amongst the finest in Queensland. However, the bowling green catered for men only. Then came the tennis courts, which were available for players of both sexes, up to a certain age. When one reached that age, which he thought impolite to quote, one just did not play tennis. Following the construction of the tennis courts, the swimming pool was built. That facility made no discrimination, as people of all ages, from the youngest to the oldest of both sexes, could indulge in the pleasures it afforded. Finally, it had been possible to lay down a croquet lawn and build a clubhouse for the ladies, and he was very pleased that the Council had thought it advisable to provide them. It was only right that those ladies who had advanced a little beyond the age that permitted strenuous sports, or who preferred croquet to other sport, should receive consideration, as they, too, needed a departure from the drudgery and hard work, in which they were involved during the week. It was recognised throughout the world that people must get into the open, and participate in pleasurable occupation that would allay the stress experienced during the majority of the time. He hoped that the fullest advantage would be taken of the facilities that had been made available by the Council. The Council expected that the croquet lawn would be a success, and all assistance necessary to have it continue successfully would be gladly given by it.

Mrs. Russell said it gave her the greatest of pleasure to have the opportunity of opening the croquet lawn. She congratulated the previous committee on their efforts in having attained the objective towards which they worked, and she thanked the Town Council for the part they had played in the Club's success. She declared the croquet lawn officially open for play, and requested Mrs. Jack to play the first ball.

Mrs Jack then drove the ball from the eastern side across the lawn in front of the clubhouse. [?The] president [?presented Mrs. Russell with] a suitably-inscribed silver teaspoon, the handle of which was in the shape of a croquet mallet.

Two charming little girls stepped forward, each carrying a bouquet of flowers. One of these was presented to Mrs. Russell by Cecily Rust (daughter of the secretary, Mrs. R. J. Rust), and the other to the president by Wynsome Savill (daughter of the club captain, Mrs. H. L. Savill).

A vote of thanks to Mrs. Russell, moved by Ald. Walsh, was carried by acclamation.

Members and visitors joined in competitions after afternoon tea, and played enthusiastically, and with obvious enjoyment. The following were the winners: Ringing the bell: Mrs. G. Singleton. Crazy competition: Mrs. Freeman. Angles: Mrs. J. J. Walsh. Clock croquet: Ald. Jack. Rings: Mrs. Miller.

The article as it was printed in The Dalby Herald, 27 April 1937. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)