Hervey Bay presents Life Membership and novel fish trophies

Greetings from the Hervey Bay Croquet Club and very warmest wishes for a great 2023 with lots of ‘happy croqueting’ moments. The stand-out activity for the Hervey Bay Club in the past couple of months as it has been for most croquet clubs, I’m sure, was the Christmas function and the Annual Presentation of Awards. In the relaxed atmosphere of the Club House it was a night of lots of happy togetherness, a most delicious meal followed by the presentation of certificates and badges to winners in the various divisions of Association, Ricochet and Golf croquet.

It was a complete surprise for Peter Spinks, in the next photo below, who was presented with Life Membership at this Christmas function.

The shocked look in Peter’s face confirmed that it was very unexpected. It’s amazing that even the grapevine didn’t ‘buzz’ as it so often does! Peter has been a member of the Club for over ten years; has served in many management positions; has competed widely and very successfully and now in what Peter reminds us as ‘an advanced age’ very actively and knowledgeably helps to keep the lawns in top-notch condition. Peter is a very worthy recipient of this honour! Congratulations Peter!

Hervey Bay (Cont.) No doubt you are curious as to why Allan Reid is holding a sizeable catch of chocolate-coated marshmallow fish in each hand. The idea was introduced by Pam Nicol, one of the Golf Croquet coaches and currently our Golf Croquet captain. Allan is the recipient of these inaugural awards first of all for the greatest number of ‘jump shots’ in 2022 and secondly for the greatest number of a ‘hoop-in-one’ in 2022. (Certain conditions apply for the latter e.g. certain hoops and also the distance travelled by the ball between the hoops) Photo above of Allan Reid with his ‘prize catch’

It is reported that, already, there is very spirited competition particularly for this year’s ‘jump shot’ trophy! And why ‘fish’ you may ask? A packet of these ‘fish’ was a gift to our Club some time ago, from visiting croquet players from New Zealand. Apparently, these ‘fish’ are presented by their Club for a variety of croqueting achievements.

2023 events to note for the Hervey Bay Croquet Club The month of May: Club championships. Each code will be allocated one week to complete the games. 17 -18 June: CAQ Association tournament 05-11 August: Annual Three Code tournament . (Preliminary flyer coming soon) 21 August: Host to a visiting croquet tour organised by Quadrant Tours

In the near future CACH Events (mentioned in a previous Newsletter) is planning to hold a pop-up picnic on the theme of Bridgerton in the grounds of the Croquet Club.

The Hervey Bay Croquet Club was delighted to welcome, at the Club’s Australia Day’s celebration, a large number of community folk who were keen to come and see why croquet is the game we all enjoy – and then to ‘have a go’.

After an introduction to the basics, visitors and Club members joined in several novelty ‘croquet-inspired’ games. Helter Skelter proved to be a lot of fun and is an activity which could be repeated from time to time on golf croquet play days.

A BBQ was enjoyed by all as was the game of golf croquet which followed. Yes, there were some ‘naturals’ and also a few who filled in ‘membership enquiry forms’.