Hervey Bay counts its blessings, from Mahjong to Melbourne Cup and coaching workshops

It's that time of the year again, yes, a busy time, but also a time for Clubs to reflect on activities and highlights of the year that has almost come to an end and also to think ahead to the coming year. The Hervey Bay Croquet Club is very grateful for the year that has been. We have seen an overall increase in membership despite having to farewell some members due to personal reasons. Being a Club on the coast (a holiday destination) we often welcome visitors from other Clubs and are always delighted to do so. Visits such as these are a learning experience for both parties. It is always gratifying to hear visitors speak very positively about their time with the Club and to comment on the friendly, welcoming hospitality shown.

This Club is deeply appreciative of the sterling work done by members of the Club who make a wonderful commitment and a very generous gift of their time particularly with regard to maintaining the lawns in top class condition and attending, when possible, to the gardens. The recent rain has been very gratefully received!

Ken at work top dressing the front garden bed.

Club finances were considerably depleted this year because of necessary repairs to lawn maintenance equipment and the funds were subsequently able to be recouped from various sources and activities. Particular mention needs to be made regarding the very valued contribution the weekly Mahjong group provides. This is a very active, vibrant group with new members encouraged and welcomed on a fairly regular basis. A big "Thank-you" to the Mahjong folk.

Members of the weekly Mahjong group at the club.

It has been a tradition in the Hervey Bay Croquet Club to hold a Melbourne Cup function on the Monday preceding the Melbourne Cup. The well-attended function this year was an opportunity to 'don the fascinators', to partake of a delicious lunch, but best of all to enjoy one another's company at a relaxed social occasion. Yes, Bev and Joan were having a great time! And Kaye was busy organising the sweep.

The Club would particularly like to mention, and pay tribute to Eileen McCann, the Regional Coaching Co-ordinator. Because of her efforts and commitment to the task, our members have benefitted greatly from involvement in Workshops conducted by coaches from outside the Region. In all three codes, Association, Ricochet and Golf, there is evidence of marked improvement in the confidence shown by players and also in the skills and tactics of the game. Sincere appreciation is also expressed to Willy Silk for her willingness to travel to the Region and to lead a most helpful refresher workshop for our local coaches.

The Refresher Coaching Course at Hervey Bay.

This year has seen a greater number of players transitioning from Golf to Ricochet and from Ricochet to Association and many more players are playing more than one code. Involvement in these Regionally organized Workshops has certainly contributed to this. As this goes to press thirteen players are looking forward to Ricochet and Association workshops to be held at Point Lookout with Greg Whymark from Bribie Island.

The Club looks forward to a happy, successful 2024. It will be a privilege to host the ACA Ricochet championships in July and then to welcome players from a large number of Clubs to the Croquet on the Bay - 2024 Club tournament. A Date Claimer will be available soon, for now, note 24 to 28 August in your 2024 diary. This tournament will be Golf and Association (ONLY), beginning on the Saturday, 24th with Golf.

On behalf of all the Hervey Bay Croquet Club members, may I extend to you our very warmest wishes for a Christmas season which is wonderful in every way. Rather than having the usual Christmas raffle, our Club have plans in place to donate the 'makings of a hamper' to a needy family in the local area.

Stay safe, and may you and yours know the hope, the peace, the joy and the love of Christmas.

By Coral Deeth, Hervey Bay. From the Croquet Newsletter, November/December 2023, pages 16-18.