Dalby Croquet Club annual meeting and seventeenth report

H*eading: CROQUET CLUB HAS HARMONIOUS YEAR*

*Newspaper: The Dalby Herald*

*Date: Friday 20 March 1953, page 5*

*Found on: [Trove](https://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article217552288), National Library of Australia*

Members of the Dalby Croquet Club, who attended the annual meeting on Monday night, expressed pleasure that the club was doing well in the Downs pennants competition, particularly as it was the first occasion in which a team had been entered.

The president (Mrs. G. Anderson) was re-elected, with Mrs. L. Wilson vice-president.

Other appointments were: Captain, Mrs. T. Smith; vice-captain, Mrs. O. Lalor; treasurer, Miss J. Couchman; secretary, Mrs. J. A. O'Hagan; committee, Mesdames E. Cramer, L. Coutts and W. Hoffman.

Competitions for the coming season were arranged.

In her report the president said:

"It affords me great pleasure to present the seventeenth annual report. We have had a most successful and harmonious season, and all functions and competitions held have been well patronised.

"During the year we have welcomed five new members to our club, but have lost two esteemed members in Mrs. Welsh, who was a foundation member, and Mrs. Bryant, both ladies having left the district.

"After receiving expert advice, we have had the grass lawns treated for pests, and planted a considerable quantity of grass seed with very good results. The lawns are responding very well, and should provide a good playing surface for the coming season.

"Your committee has endeavoured to do all in its power to make our club house something to be proud of, and during the year a light has been installed at the entrance, a bitumen pathway laid, an extra table and indoor blinds purchased, besides a quantity of new crockery. These additions, I am sure you will agree, will help to make things more comfortable for members and our visitors.

Most competitions have been well patronised, and keenly contested.

Our club champion was Mrs. E. Starling, with Mrs. L. Wilson as runner-up. To these ladies I extend my hearty congratulations.

"Other results are as follows: A grade championship: Mrs. E. Starling; runner-up, Mrs. L. Wilson. B grade championship: Mrs. E. Cramer; runner-up, Mrs. G. Anderson. C grade championship: Mrs. N. Ashmore; runner-up, Mrs. C. Field.

"A grade handicap: Mrs. T. Smith; runner-up, Mrs. E. Starling. B grade handicap: Mrs. [?F]. Cramer; runner-up, Mrs. W. Hoffman. C grade handicap: Mrs. N. Ashmore; runner-up, Miss J. Couchman.

"Consistency: Mrs. A. Campbell; runner-up, Mrs. E. Starling. Threes: Mrs. A. Campbell.

"A grade ladder: Mrs. E. Starling. B grade ladder: Mrs. A. Campbell. C grade ladder: Mrs. C. Field.

"This year for the first time in the history of the club a team was entered for the D.D.P.A. pennants, which are being played at the present time, and I am proud to state that the Dalby players are in a very good position in this competition.

"During the year we had the pleasure of welcoming many visitors to our lawns. The most distinguished of these were the State president and secretary, together with a party which included two of our former members, Mesdames White and Coulson. These ladies attended a very successful birthday party, and Mrs. Williamson presented the trophies.

"Dalby Club visited Toowoomba for a social game when the previous pennant games were abandoned, and had a most enjoyable day.

"Our finances are still in a very sound position, and our thanks go to our honorary treasurer for the efficient manner in which she looks after the club's funds. These funds have been supplemented in no small way by the very successful card parties which have been held in the club rooms.

"We conducted a most enjoyable Melbourne Cup party which was a financial as well as a social success. With our Christmas Party this year, we departed from the usual custom and confined same to members only. It will of course be up to the new committee to decide whether this practice will be continued in future years.

"I would like to thank all members of the committee who each and everyone carried out her particular duties in a competent and cheerful manner. The committee, as a whole, worked most harmoniously which of course, must have a very good effect on the club.

"I will not attempt to thank any individual club member for their co-operation during the year, but will say that the past year has been one of the most happy and congenial that I have experienced since being a member of the Dalby Croquet Club. So, to all members, I will extend my thanks for a very enjoyable year.

"Many outsiders have been most kind to our club, and to these good people I extend thanks on behalf of the members. Amongst these are Mr. Tom Smith, for his kindness in lending us his wireless set; Mr. Noel Hogan, for conducting the euchre parties; Mr. G. Clarke, our honorary auditor; Mr. and Mrs. Obst; and the Press are deserving of a special thanks.

"I would like to wish the Dalby Croquet Club every success in the future, and trust that it will go on to bigger and better things each succeeding year."

The article as it was printed in The Dalby Herald, 20 March 1953. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)