Eildon elects a new committee, upgrades facilities, and p...

New Committee for 2024

Eildon held its AGM on 21 November. Our new Management Committee comprises: President Jill Cole, Vice-president Megan Stuart, Treasurer Jenee Molyneux, Secretary Penny Verrall, and General members Wade Hart, Judy De-Vene, and Peter De-Vene.

We are very fortunate to have many members who are willing to volunteer for ongoing and one-off jobs and tasks. These volunteers are truly the backbone of our club, and we thank them sincerely for their contributions this year. Club membership currently stands at 70.

Jill noted that several of our players have enjoyed the challenge of competitive mallet sports, with participation in club, regional, state and national tournaments. Players to represent our club in Interstate teams this year include Wade Hart and Jenee Molyneux in Golf Croquet, and Keith Williamson and Wade Hart in Association.

Wade Hart and Jenee Molyneux representing Eildon in interstate Golf Croquet.

Gateball players have been busy competing at various locations throughout the year: a team from Eildon played in the National competition in Albury. Players also attended an event in Canberra and many Queensland events.

Jill also paid tribute to outgoing Club Secretary, Megan Stuart. Megan is well known to many croquet players in our region, both as an exceptional GC competitor, and for her expertise in the RevolutioniseSport club management tool that is being adopted by many clubs and organisations throughout Australia.

Lawn renovations and infrastructure upgrades

With a (hopefully) wet season almost upon us, the club is about to embark on its annual lawn renovations, including coring, scarifying and top-dressing. Lawns will be closed from Monday 27 November, with members and visitors advised when play may resume.

The Club continues with its program of upgrading infrastructure, facilities and equipment. The roof-top solar system has been replaced with an extremely efficient configuration, and we have installed blinds on the south-western side of the verandah, to shield us from wind, rain and the afternoon sun. An extension to our perimeter hedge is being nurtured, and plans are under way to replace a significant portion of our fencing. Thanks to a grant from the Qld Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport, we have purchased 4 new PFC club mallets, and are most grateful to have been gifted another two by business owner, Peter Coles.

Code news

Association

Association Croquet saw a small but dedicated group of enthusiasts enjoying their games on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. We have had mixed success in pennants this year, but the games were always interesting! Keith Williamson represented Queensland in the 73rd Australian AC Championships in Melbourne. Eildon hosted several special tournaments in 2023: the CAQ Men's Singles in February, and the CAQ Women's Singles and the Gibson Medal in August. Wade Hart has been selected for the Queensland 2024 AC state team. We wish him all the best. The Club is planning to host a new AC competition next year. This should be good for developing our players, showcasing our Club, and bringing together fellow enthusiasts from across the region.

Ricochet

This code continues to be well-supported at Eildon. As well as regular social play and club championship competitions, the Ricochet section of the Florence Cup (played against Bribie Island Croquet Club) was held at Eildon this year. The day really came down to the wire with Eildon winning by a short head.

Golf Croquet

Golf Croquet at Eildon continues to be our most popular code, for both social play and competitions. Our members have enjoyed great success at all levels of play, from representing the Club in the Metropolitan Pennants competition, to representing Queensland at interstate gigs. Also wonderful to see so many members, both experienced and developing, playing in our Club competitions: the Belevedere Plaque, the Eildon Invitational, and the new Sunday Singles Sessions, as well as our two GC Gala Days. Sadly, we have had to postpone our friendly matches against Southport and Bribie Island this year. These will be rescheduled for early in 2024.

We now offer GC play sessions on Tuesdays (mornings and afternoons), Friday mornings and Saturday mornings. Visitors are always welcome. The Club has a strong commitment to developing new officials in coaching, refereeing and tournament management. Special thanks to CAQ for its support of player and officials' development.

Gateball

Gateballers at Eildon have been extremely busy this year. As well as regular social play sessions twice a week, the Club has hosted a special captains' training weekend in May. Some of our members travelled to Wodonga for the Nationals in September, where they were thrilled to be playing in a field of 17 teams, including one from Japan.

Eildon has fielded several teams in recent Gateball tournaments, including the Toowoomba Gateball Event in late September and the annual Masters and Apprentices Teams and Doubles Tournament in Caloundra in November. The Club has been successful in having gateball added as a council sporting activity in their Healthy and Active Program and hope to be able to attract new players in 2024.