Croquet club annual meeting: tenth annual report and officers

H*eading: CROQUET PLAYERS.' ANNUAL MEETING EXCELLENT FINANCIAL POSITION PRESIDENT'S REPORT*

*Newspaper: The Dalby Herald*

*Date: Friday 7 March 1947, page 8*

*Found on: [Trove](https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216420637), National Library of Australia*

There was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Dalby Croquet Club held during the week. The chief business of the meeting was the reading of the office bearers' reports for the season, and the election of new officers for the ensuing year.

The Club's credit balance now stands at £269/12/-, plus £12 War Savings Certificates. These figures were contained in the report of the treasurer, Mrs. O'Hagan.

There will be little change this year in the matter of office-bearers. Mrs. Lalor will continue as president, with Mesdames Thompson and Shill vice-presidents, Mrs. Savage secretary, and Mrs. O'Hagan treasurer. Mrs. Starling will captain the Club, and Mrs. Wilson will act as vice-captain. The Club committee will consist of Mesdames Coutts, Orford, Hoffman, Anderson, Smith and Campbell. Mrs. Jack agreed to accept the position of patroness.

The annual report of activities during the last season as presented by the president (Mrs. W. Lalor) stated:

"It affords me great pleasure in presenting to this meeting the tenth annual report of the Dalby Croquet Club. This occasion is rather an important one marking as it does the tenth birthday of the Club. At the outset I would like to point out that any improvement to the Club, either financially or otherwise, which has taken place during the year just concluded is attributable in no small way to the experience and judgment of our immediate past president, Mrs. Jack, who as you know held the reins of office for the greater part of the year.

"The play during the year was confined to local competitions only, but during the coming year it is hoped that inter-town matches will be resumed. Eleven competitions were played during the season and all were keenly contested, the play on the whole showing a marked improvement. At the State Championship held in Brisbane the captain, Mrs. Starling, was the only Dalby representative and although not a winner she acquitted herself very creditably indeed.

"The affairs of the Club have been well looked after by the committee, ten ordinary committee meetings, two special committee meetings and two special general meetings being held, all being well attended.

"The resignations of two members were received during the year, Mesdames Stevens and Carnie, having left the district. During the year, one member, Mrs. Castle, met with a fatal accident. However, three new members were admitted, the membership now being 32.

"I would like to make mention of Mrs. Irvine, who, as you know, was for a number of years our treasurer, during which time she carried out her duties in a most efficient and unselfish manner. Mrs. Irvine is at present spending most of her time at her Redcliffe residence and was reluctantly compelled to relinquish her office of treasurer.

"On behalf of the Club I wish to thank Mrs. Christmas for the making of the canvas awnings; Mrs. Hoffman for the leather discs and a water bag, also for the painting of the hoops and pegs; Mrs. Welsh for a hammer and Mrs. Shill for keeping the balls in order. I wish to also thank the secretary and members of the committee for their work on behalf of the Club and the assistance and loyalty shown to me since my appointment as president.

"Nine euchre parties were held which were well attended, and these as well as being a financial success have been of a great social benefit to the Club and its members. The usual Christmas party was held and this too was a great success.

"In the unavoidable absence of the then president, Mrs. Jack, the vice-president, Mrs. Thompson, and myself carried out the duties on her behalf at the president's at-home.

"The greens were top dressed during the year and are now showing the benefit of the attention given them. A greens directress was appointed by the committee to supervise the work of the green keeper, the appointment being that of Mrs. Shill, and I have every confidence in stating that the responsibilities entrusted to Mrs. Shill will be carried out in her usual efficient manner. As a result of our captain's visit to Brisbane for the Championships, it was discovered that our hoops were not of the regulation size, it was therefore necessary for us to have ours altered to comply with the regulations.

"I would like personally, as well as on behalf of the Club, to thank the captain, Mrs. Starling, for her untiring efforts in carrying out her arduous duties so ably, also Mrs. Wilson, the vice-captain, who assisted her in every way possible.

"In conclusion I desire to extend thanks on behalf of the Club to Mr. Clarke the honorary auditor, Mr. Whatmore and Mr. Julius for assistance given, and the Press for generous publicity given to the Dalby Croquet Club."

The article as it was printed in The Dalby Herald, 7 March 1947. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)