President's annual report and new officers

H*eading: CROQUET CLUB PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT. Election Of Officers.*

*Newspaper: The Dalby Herald*

*Date: Tuesday 17 March 1942, page 3*

*Found on: [Trove](https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216400790), National Library of Australia*

Fifteen ladies were present at the annual meeting of the Dalby Croquet Club, held in the clubhouse last night. Five apologies for absence were received.

The president (Mrs. A. White) submitted the sixth annual report as follows:—

Owing to the war the club has had rather a quiet year. No new members were enrolled and three did not re-join. This brings the membership to 20. The attendance for play throughout the year has been very satisfactory, considering the majority of the players devote a good deal of time during the week to war work. Play has chiefly been confined to week-ends. To cut down the green expenses it was decided to employ the greenkeeper one day per week instead of two, and, generally, economy has been practised as much as possible.

During the year the following competitions were played for: Open championship, B grade championship, junior A handicap, open handicap, doubles handicap, C consistency, queen of the lawn, ladder competition.

The usual annual birthday of the club was celebrated on April 22nd. This was the fifth anniversay. It was well attended by the public and proved most successful, both socially and financially. During the afternoon competitions were conducted on the lawns, and a jumble stall was convened by Mesdames Lalor and Shill. Mrs. Coutts gave a fruit cake, which helped to swell the funds. The net sum of £8/1/3 was raised. During the afternoon tea a birthday cake, which was made and presented by the president, was cut by Mrs. Vowles (foundation president of the club). Mrs. T. Jack (patroness) presented the trophies which had been won during the previous year.

On May 5th a team of players from the Bellbird Club, Kingaroy, paid a visit to the club. A very enjoyable day's sport resulted in a win for the home team by three points.

A series of euchre and bridge afternoons were held throughout the year and proved very popular. The money raised in this way helped considerably to swell the club funds. We are indebted to the following members for giving these parties: Mesdames Irvine, Starling and Hoffman, Jack, Thompson and Wilson, Coutts and Welsh, White and Shaw Thompson, Lalor and Savage, Smoothy. We are also grateful to all other members who gave donations and trophies and assisted in various ways. On Melbourne Cup day a bridge and euchre party was held. The proceeds, amounting to £10, were given to patriotic funds. On February 21st the president's afternoon was held, at which the trophies won during the present year were presenteed by Mrs. T. Jack (patroness).

The financial position may be regarded as satisfactory. No expensive works were found necessary during the year. The club concludes with a credit balance of £19/17/4.

The thanks of the club are due to the many courtesies of the Town Council, Mr. Thorley for auditing the books, and the Press for generous publicity during the year. I am pleased to say we have had a very happy year, and as president I desire, personally, to thank all members for their loyal assistance and enthusiastic co-operation. I wish especially to thank the captain (Mrs. Starling), the secretary (Mrs. Savage), and the treasurer (Mrs. Irvine), who carried out their duties so ably. This assistance made my work a privilege and a pleasure.

The report was adopted.

The honorary treasurer (Mrs. A. Irvine) submitted the balance-sheet, which showed that the year commenced with a credit balance of £3/6/9, and ended with a credit balance of £19/17/4. The principal receipts were: Membership fees £43/1/-, green fees £39/11/6, and entertainments £51/18/6. The chief items of expenditure were wages £60/6/10, and rent £50.

The following officials were appointed: President, Mrs. Thomas Jack; vice-presidents, Mesdames C. J. Thompson, Wilson and Coutts; hon. treasurer, Mrs. A. Irvine; hon. secretary, Mrs. E. J. Starling; committee, Mesdames Hoffman, Shill, Lalor, Orford; captain, Mrs. E. J. Starling; vice-captain, Mrs. Wilson; patroness, Mrs. Thomas Jack.

Mrs. White, the retiring president, thanked the committee for its loyal support during the year.

Mrs. Wilson referred to the splendid work done by Mrs. White during the year, and assured the incoming president of the loyal support she would receive from the committee.

Mrs. Thomas Jack thanked Mesdames White and Wilson for their remarks, and the members for electing her as their president for the ensuing year. It might be wondered why, at the present time, she should be prepared to take the position of president of the club. The future would probably be a hard time, and they might be criticised for keeping alive what might be termed a sporting club. Her decision, however, was based on a wider, and, she hoped, a more reasonable view of their position as a club with certain responsibilities which they could not get rid of. She referred to the fact that about seven years ago the Dalby Town Council was approached by a representative body of ladies who asked that a croquet lawn be laid down, and the necessary buildings erected. The annual payment for interest and redemption was considerable, but the club undertook to discharge this liability. She thought the club should endeavour to pay the amount due to the Council (£50 per annum) if it was possible to do so, and at the same time keep the lawn in order

The article as it was printed in The Dalby Herald, 17 March 1942. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)