Ladies' Christmas party and four presentations

H*eading: CROQUET CLUB. CHRISTMAS PARTY Four Presentations Made*

*Newspaper: The Dalby Herald*

*Date: Friday 28 December 1945, page 6*

*Found on: [Trove](https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217567019), National Library of Australia*

The Dalby Ladies Croquet Club members held the annual Christmas party at the Club House on Thursday night. The function was a very enjoyable one with members and their guests carrying out the programme in a spirit appropriate to the first peace-time Christmas for the several years. Much regret was felt at the absence of the president of the Club, Mrs. Thomas Jack, whose sudden indisposition prevented her attendance, and her acting as hostess on behalf of the members. A vice-president, Mrs. P. Lalor, deputised for Mrs. Jack and was assisted by Mrs. C. Thompson, also a vice-president, in welcoming and entertaining the guests.

The earlier part of the evening was spent in card playing, the winner of the progressive bridge being Mrs. Nielsen. The winner of the euchre was Mr. J. J. Walsh.

Subsequently all present sat down to supper served by members of the Club, following which a number of toasts were honoured. Opportunity was taken to make a presentation of a china dish to Mrs. A. White, who is leaving Dalby soon to live in Brisbane. Mrs. Lalor in handing the gift to Mrs. White on behalf of the members extended greetings from the members and their wishes for her happiness.

Mrs. Lalor said that it had been the intention of the members to honour their president, Mrs. Jack, that evening, and they were very sorry that she could not be with them. She asked Alderman Jack to accept a book for Mrs. Jack.

Presentations were made to Alderman J. J. Walsh, and Mr. J. Julius, in appreciation of their assistance and help in connection with the croquet lawn.

Alderman Jack thanked the members of the Club for their action in making the presentation to Mrs. Jack. It was something which she would much appreciate, though she did not expect any thanks for her work for the Croquet Club. It was a matter of great interest for her and she was very sorry that she could not be at the annual party and take her place as president. She was indebted to the vice-presidents for their help in this matter and sincerely thanked them. The Club was very dear to Mrs. Jack and she would be delighted to learn of the success of the evening. Personally he wished to congratulate the members upon their function and also upon the progress which the Club had made. It was one of the main activities for ladies in Dalby. Their lawn was in very good condition, something no doubt, in which Alderman Walsh manifested a keen interest. He did all in his power to see that the lawn was in the best possible condition.

Alderman Jack said he was pleased to see the ladies taking part in sport. He believed they were entitled to have the best conditions possible, and should be catered for as well as the men in that respect. There was a new era, in which they spoke of better things and a new outlook on life. It was right that women should have their sport and pleasures provided for, and the Croquet Club was one of them in Dalby. He was sure all the original members felt that they had an obligation to keep the Club functioning. In conclusion he wished to convey a message from Mrs. Jack, who had impressed upon him to tell the members how much she appreciated their action in arranging the party for her. He thanked Mrs. Lalor for deputising for Mrs. Jack, and all the members for their co-operation and help.

Alderman J. J. Walsh said that he thanked the members of the Club very much for the gift and for the kindly thought which prompted their action. He thanked them also for the invitation to Mrs. Walsh and him to attend the party which had been a very enjoyable gathering indeed. He regretted to hear that Mrs. Jack was indisposed and hoped that it would be of very short duration. It had been a real pleasure to do anything to help the ladies in keeping their lawn in good order. The best was being done in this direction and he was pleased to observe a big improvement in the lawn of late. He wished to extend congratulations and good wishes to Mr. and Mrs. White on their transfer to Brisbane, and to wish all the members the compliments of the season.

Mrs. J. Julius on behalf of her husband, thanked the members for their presentation, which she was sure would be appreciated.

Mrs. White said that she wished to voice her very sincere appreciation of the action of the members in making the presentation to her and in expressing their good wishes towards her. She had been interested in the Croquet Club since its establishment and looked upon it as one of her dearest associations in Dalby. She would miss the members very much and the many kind friends she had met in the Club. Though her name appeared on the honour board as the first champion she wanted to say that the players were not very good then. She would remember the members always and value their gift very highly.

Mr. White also responded to a toast and expressed his appreciation of the invitation to be present. He had enjoyed the gathering very much. He wished the members every success in future.

The toast of the Press was proposed by Mrs. P. Lalor, and that of the chairman by Alderman E. Geisel. A feature of the nicely arranged tables was a handsome Christmas cake, the work of the president, Mrs. Jack, who made a gift of it to the members.

Present at the gathering were Alderman T. Jack, Alderman and Mrs. J. J. Walsh, Alderman and Mrs. E. H. Geisel, Mr and Mrs. A. White, Mr. and Mrs. J. Shill, Mr and Mrs. L. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. E. S. Newbery, Mr. and Mrs. W. Hoffman, Mesdames P. Lalor, C. Thompson, E. S. Coutts, C. Nielsen, E. J. Starling, J. Julius, V. Anderson, M. Quirk, E. Castle, H. Dann, S. Stevens, T. Smith, M. Garrett, F. C. Gill, and Miss D. Dunne.

The article as it was printed in The Dalby Herald, 28 December 1945. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)