Dalby Croquet Club sixteenth annual report

H*eading: CROQUET CLUB HAS SUCCESSFUL YEAR*

*Newspaper: The Dalby Herald*

*Date: Friday 21 March 1952, page 3*

*Found on: [Trove](https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article216810005), National Library of Australia*

"It affords me great pleasure in presenting to you the sixteenth annual report of the Dalby Croquet Club. Our club has had a most successful and harmonious season. All competitions have been keenly contested, and the various functions conducted by the club have been most successful from a social, as well as from a financial angle," stated the president (Mrs. G. Anderson) in the report presented to the annual meeting of the Dalby Croquet Club.

The report added:

"Our membership once again remains the same as previous years, and I would point out that there is plenty of room in the club for new members.

"Our lawns, in keeping with the rest of the district, suffered somewhat by reason of the prolonged drought, but the groundsman, under the careful supervision of our green directoress, Mrs. J. H. Shill, did a very remarkable job in keeping the lawns in good playing condition throughout the season. I am happy to state that the recent rains have had a very beneficial effect on the lawns which, at the present time, are in first class condition.

"No major improvements were carried out during the year, the policy of the committee being to improve conditions generally for members from a playing point of view, as well as in our club-house. Repairs had to be carried out to our fences, and shed built to house roller, while a quantity of new crockery was provided besides the numerous smaller items always associated with a club such as ours.

"Players on the lawns have been most consistent, the members being very encouraging, and the standard of play being maintained.

"The club championship was won by Mrs. Jack, with Mrs. Lalor as runner-up. We must extend hearty congratulations to these ladies. Other competition winners were: Handicap, Mrs. T. Jack; runner-up, Mrs. E. Cramer. Doubles handicap, Mesdames T. Smith and J. Welsh; runners-up, Mesdames O. Lalor and L. Wilson. Threes, Mrs. C. Field. Consistency, Mrs. L. Wilson; runner-up, Mrs. J. H. Shill. Ladder—A grade, Mrs. L. Wilson; B grade, Mrs. E. Cramer; C grade, Mrs. Napier.

"All competitions were very keenly contested, players showing good sportsmanship at all times, which I am sure you will agree is the paramount factor.

"During the year we received visits from the Toowoomba and Kingaroy clubs, and we returned the visit to Kingaroy. A return visit was also arranged to Toowoomba Club, but this had to be cancelled by that club owing to their lawns being closed for top-dressing.

"These visits, besides being social successes, helped to improve the play of our members, and I would stress to the incoming committee the advantages of having such visits.

"The financial statement shows your club to be in a very sound position; a good deal of credit must go to the ladies who conducted the numerous street stalls during the year, the financial result of which helped greatly to swell our funds.

"On the social side very successful Melbourne Cup and Christmas parties were held, as well as several euchre parties. All of these functions were well patronised, and besides being a great help to the finances of the club, were most enjoyable socially.

"Whilst speaking of the Christmas party, I feel I cannot let pass the opportunity of thanking Mrs. Orford on behalf of the club for the truly remarkable caps which she so kindly made, and presented to each person present. Indeed, I can safely say that this gesture was the highlight of a most successful and happy evening.

"I wish to thank all members of the committee who have worked in a most unselfish and cheerful way through the year having the interests of the club entirely at heart, and I have much pleasure in saying that personally I have never worked with a more harmonious committee. It would be most difficult for me to single out any particular committee lady for special thanks, but on behalf of myself and the members as a whole, I say 'thank you' to each member for a job well and cheerfully done.

"I thank all members and their friends for the support given to the various functions conducted by the club, and particularly for their loyalty to the Dalby Croquet Club.

"Once again I have to extend thanks to Mr. Tom Smith for his generous assistance at our functions, also to Mr. Charles Clarke our honorary auditor, and to Mr. and Mrs. Obst who have kindly taken care of the club keys, thus saving a good deal of inconvenience to our members. To the Press, I extend the club's grateful thanks for the accurate recording of our scores, and the generous publicity given to the club at all times.

"To conclude, I would urge members to keep the interests of croquet and the Dalby Croquet Club foremost in their minds, and if possible, to endeavour to induce other ladies to join our club, and so learn something of this fascinating and skilful game. I look forward with every confidence to a most successful and happy year for our club."

The article as it was printed in The Dalby Herald, 21 March 1952. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)