Headland Buderim pennants, grants, and Patron's Shield mark a busy season

SCRCC Pennant, Shield, and Plate

Congratulations to all our players who participated for 2023. RC Pennants gained 1st place: Cheryl Moodie, Lesley Johnson, Gillian Bradley, Russell Robinson, Arch Morrison, Lorraine Stott, Shirley Eames, and Carolyn Aldrich all played. Congratulations also to the GC competitions. Pennant 3rd place: Russell Robinson (Captain), Ross Rillie, Doug Houston, Steve Lockhart, Col Beckett, Shirley Eames. Shield 5th place: Colin Beckett (Captain), Pauline Hickey (Vice Captain), Arch Morrison, Cheryl Moodie, Carolyn Hodgins, June Neville, Merryl Cook, Tony Masche, Clive Shepherd, Cheryl Quatember. Plate 2nd place: Merryl Cook (Captain), Clive Shepherd, Viv Lloyd, Bev Sockhill, Yvonne Palmer, Daniel Teulier, John Muddiman. Thank you to Ross, Kevin, Robyn, Russell, and Helen for all the work behind the scenes.

The end of season get-together for the club's GC Pennant, Shield, and Plate players was held at Maroochy RSL, supporters of our club over the years. A pleasant evening meal and thanks all round was given for all those involved with the organising of teams and hosting at home games.

Grants

The Grants Team have been very successful with three of their recent applications. Thank you to all concerned. Queensland Government Sport and Recreation Grant provided a range of sporting equipment which included a set of hoops, hoop clamp, AC scoring pegs, and timer clocks. Latest Local Hero Grant from Brent Mickelberg MP, Member for Buderim office, was won by Ross Rillie who received $250. This round was offered to assist with travelling expenses for members who are competing away from home and who have contributed significantly to their club. Ross certainly fitted the criteria and was a worthy winner. Buderim Foundation Grant: The club is also very appreciative to the Foundation for having won a grant for a Water Fountain. This will certainly be a long-term asset and will help tremendously when hosting the ACA Nationals in 2024.

Nell Hass Memorial AC Event

The Nell Hass Memorial AC Event was held on 12th and 13th August. Beautiful weather made for an enjoyable and successful day with 19 players from 7 clubs, with handicaps ranging from 0.5 to 18. The format was a Pre-Drawn Swiss. CAQ President Pat Habner presented the prizes to Overall Winners: Lynette Evans from The Range. Block A Winner: Mike Bertram from Caloundra. Block B Winner: Dianne Horsman from The Range. Block C Winner: Heather Smith from Graceville.

As always, these successful days are due to the great band of volunteers. Colin Harris (Coolum) won the raffle from Fourth Wave Wines, donated by the Rillies.

Patron's Shield

The annual Patron's Day Shield was held on 26th August. The high/low drawn doubles teams competed for Patron Gordon Matthews' Shield. In this, the teams play a Two Shot GC format with modifications of RC and AC elements. The format was initially designed to bring the club's 3 codes together in friendly competition. The weather was fine and a good day was had. Russell Robinson and Richard Long were winners on the day.

As always, these successful days are due to the great band of volunteers: Gordon and Judith Matthews, Robyn and Kevin Leadbetter, Cheryl Moodie, Carolyn Aldrich, Lesley Johnston, and Shirley Eames, and we must not leave out our pre-game team who prepared the lawns. Colin Beckett was the winner of the Fourth Wave Wines raffle donated by the Rillies.

NDIS and Community

NDIS Provider, StriveAbility clients and carers were hosted on 25th August and facilitated by Helen and Ross Rillie. Both clients and carers thoroughly enjoyed trying Croquet as part of their Friday activity and were keen to repeat sometime. It was amazing to see the improvement in their skill after such a short time. The club was very appreciative of the Friday social players for accommodating this activity which used one lawn for a short time after morning tea. It was a rewarding way for the club to give back to the community. Thank you to anyone who helped in some way, especially Robyn who provided the group with mini caramel tarts for morning tea. All players were given a prize at the end.

Members out and about

Members out and about in Golf Croquet events have been Col Beckett and Arch Morrison playing in Croquet on the Bay (Hervey Bay) 9-11 August. Col won Doubles with Dianne Michels. Russell Robinson played again in Windsor's Golf Brooch on 18th August. Helen Rillie played in the CAQ 2nd Eights on 12-13 August.

Visitors: It has been such a pleasure to have so many visitors during the winter months.

Ball barriers and Volunteers

Ball barriers: Team Leadbetter (Robyn and Kevin) have been very busy with the back-breaking job of replacing the old ball barriers around the outer perimeter of four lawns. The local Bunnings know this couple too well. Another improvement which will also give our club a face lift for the Nationals in 2024.

Volunteers: Thank you, as always, to our few hard-working volunteers who continue to give of their time and physical energy on a weekly basis for the enjoyment of others. As many hands make light work, perhaps consider giving a helping hand with the more demanding jobs.

Wishing everyone all the best Croquet offers.

By Helen Rillie, Headland Buderim. From the Croquet Newsletter, September/October 2023, pages 16-18.