Laurel Bank Croquet Club annual meeting and fourth report

The annual meeting of the Laurel Bank Croquet Club was held in the Club House on Thursday afternoon. Mr. J. Hoare occupied the chair. He wished the club a prosperous and happy year.

The election of office-bearers resulted: Patroness, the Mayoress, Mrs. J. D. Annand; Patron, Mr. S. G. Stephens; President, Mrs. Malcolm Sinclair; vice-presidents, Mesdames J. Schmidt, L. Hopkins, and J. Platz; secretary, Mrs. P. S. Priest; treasurer, Miss M. Rowe; captain, Mrs. Bridgman; vice-captain, Mrs. L. Dunsdon; general committee, Mesdames F. Dunsdon, P. Fett, W. Frood and J. W. Scanlan; grading committee, Mesdames M. Sinclair, Bridgman, P. S. Priest and L. Dunsdon; grounds committee: Mesdames M. Sinclair, J. Schmidt, J. Platz, Bridgman, and Mr. J. Hoare; Press correspondent, Mrs. W. Childs.

The adoption of the fourth annual report, which was read by the secretary (Mrs. Priest) was moved by Mrs. Sinclair, seconded by Mrs. Matthews and carried.

The report stated: Ten ordinary and three special meetings, including the annual meeting, were held during the year and the average attendance was 12. In June the captain (Mrs. L. Dunsdon) won the competition for consistency, the trophy for which was donated by Mrs. Wagner. The big objective for the year was the new club house. In July Mrs. Schmidt approached Mr. M. C. Williamson and he agreed to be the architect in an honorary capacity. Members were grateful to Mr. Williamson and also to Mrs. Schmidt. The tile roof was donated and the Progress Association donated £10, for which the members thanked Mrs. Schmidt and Mr. Hoare. Near the end of July a successful bridge party was held in the Country Women's Association Hall. The proceeds were £11/17/6. The bridge prizes were donated by Mrs. Hopkins. In September the president entertained the delegates from the various croquet clubs in Brisbane. Members appreciated this very much. In October Mrs. Rowton was appointed delegate of the club in the Queensland Croquet Association. In the same month Mrs. W. Boyd donated a trophy to the club. In October Mesdames Dunsdon and Priest represented the club at the Pennant Association meeting at Clifton. A garden party was held at Laurel Bank Park in October. The proceeds were £5. In December a bridge party was held in the Country Women's Association Hall. The sum of £12/9/1 was raised. Thanks are extended to Mrs. Dunsdon, who made and donated a cake to be raffled at this party. Mrs. Hopkins donated 10/ and Mrs. Fett gave the prizes. Mr. Fryar offered to supervise the levelling and top dressing of the lawns. Towards the end of the year tenders were called for the new club house and in December Mr. Sherridan's tender was accepted. The price was £516. The building was started early in the new year. In February Mrs. J. Platz organised a successful bridge party in aid of the club funds. In February it was arranged for Mr. Fick to take charge of the lawns. On March 7 members attended the birthday party of the West Toowoomba Croquet Club. A bridge party was held at Laurel Bank Park in March and the sum of £3/16/ was raised. Mrs. Sinclair donated prizes for competitions at this party. In April the club forfeited in the pennant games as no players were available. Members were grateful to the members of the West Toowoomba Croquet Club for their invitation to play on the West Toowoomba lawns while the Laurel Bank lawns were under repair. The club secretary thanked Mr. Hoare, the life member, for his practical assistance during the year. The thanks and appreciation of the club were extended to the president (Mrs. Sinclair) the Press correspondent (Mrs. Childs), the treasurer (Miss Rowe), the captain (Mrs. Dunsdon), Dr. M. Sinclair, Mr. J. Platz and the Toowoomba City Council, for help given during the year.

The balance sheet, which was presented by the treasurer, showed a credit balance in the general account of £23/8/4. Miss Rowe moved the adoption of the balance sheet. This was seconded by Mrs. Priest and carried.

Mrs. Sinclair thanked the members for their loyalty and help during the year and for re-electing her as president.

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 7 May 1938. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)