Hervey Bay thanks lawn keepers and prepares for major events

These opening words probably echo the thoughts of most CAQ member clubs: constant rainy weather has made things very difficult for the keepers of the croquet lawns, both for those officially employed in these positions and for those who work in this capacity as volunteers. Puddles have appeared where they have never been seen before, along with an infestation of worms, their castings, rogue grasses and more.

Hervey Bay would like to pay tribute to lawn keepers everywhere for their diligence and the constant care and attention they give to the upkeep and maintenance of club lawns. They truly are the backbone of croquet clubs.

Hervey Bay Croquet Club tries to conduct club championships in blocks in the month of May. Doubles in Golf Croquet are completed. Singles have been delayed because of rain. The Ricochet championships begin on 20 May, and Association will need to be held later in the year.

The club was delighted to recently welcome Pat and Bill Habner to Hervey Bay. They were there to give training and assistance in refereeing and coaching. Congratulations go to Janet Pool, a new coach for Ricochet, and to Janet and Anthony Berne, who are now registered as referees for Golf Croquet.

Anthony had his first experience as a Golf Croquet referee at the Burnett Championships recently held in Bundaberg. Members of Hervey Bay Croquet travelled to Bundaberg for these championships and were very worthy representatives of their club, particularly in Ricochet.

As mentioned previously, Hervey Bay Croquet Club is busily preparing for the ACA Ricochet Championships to be held in July. It is very pleasing to see that entries are coming in both from local areas and from further afield, with one, to date, from New Zealand.

In April, Hervey Bay Croquet Club hosted the regional Golf Croquet Pennants. Winners are grinners, and the members of the Point Lookout deserve to be grinners as the winners of this competition. Interaction and socialising with members from other clubs are also important aspects of such meets.

Members of Hervey Bay's winning Pennants team for Golf Croquet.

In the past few days, entry forms and information for Croquet on the Bay 2024, the club's annual tournament, have been forwarded to all clubs. Ricochet is not included in this year's tournament. The club would appreciate members making this tournament well known. If players are intending to enter, and Hervey Bay hopes they do, they are asked to do so as early as they can and remember that the event is in the midst of the whale watching season, when finding accommodation may be a challenge.

Croquet on the Bay 2024

- Venue: Hervey Bay Croquet & Mallet Sports Club, 17 Totness Street, Torquay. - Dates: 17-21 August. - Codes: Golf and Association, with Golf to play first. - This annual event is a great opportunity for tournament competition before the Australian Golf Championship and ISS, being played on the Sunshine Coast in late August. - The date change from previous years is due to Hervey Bay hosting the Australian Ricochet Championships in July. - Event notice will be out in early 2024. - Be sure to book accommodation early as whale festival time is busy. - For more information, email Coral Deeth, Secretary, at herveybay@croquetqld.org.

Warmest wishes and happy croqueting.

By Coral Deeth, Hervey Bay. From the Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2024, pages 20, 21.