Laurel Bank Croquet Club annual meeting

The annual meeting of Laurel Bank Croquet Club was held in the Club House on March 30. Mrs. M. Sinclair occupied the chair.

The election of officers resulted: Patroness, the Mayoress, Mrs. J. D. Annand; patron, Mr. S. G. Stephens; president, Mrs. Schmidt; vice-presidents, Mesdames J. Platz and L. Dunsdon; treasurer, Miss M. Rowe; secretary and Press correspondent, Mrs. L. Hopkins; captain, Mrs. P. S. Priest; vice-captain, Mrs. W. Frood; grounds committee, Mesdames J. Platz, Fett, Dennis and Priest; grading committee, Mesdames P. S. Priest, W. Frood and L. Hopkins.

The adoption of the fifth annual report, which was read by the secretary (Mrs. P. S. Priest), was moved by Mrs. Fett and seconded by Mrs. Dennis.

The treasurer (Miss M. Rowe) presented the balance-sheet, which showed a credit balance of £12/7/3. Mrs. Fett moved the adoption of the balance-sheet. This was supported by Mrs. Dennis and carried.

The annual report read: During the year eight meetings were held, including the annual meeting. The average attendance of members was nine. On May 7 the Club House was officially opened by the Mayor (Alderman J. D. Annand); and a very successful fete, which realised £33/16/6, followed. On June 14 Mrs. Copas held a bridge party in the Club House and also donated the prizes. The proceeds amounted to £5/7/3. Thanks were due to Mrs. Copas. In July Mrs. Childs resigned from the position of Press correspondent. Mrs. Hopkins filled the position. Early in the year Mrs. J. Krimmer donated a trophy for the championship; Mrs. Dunsdon was the winner. In July Mr. Slatyer's concert party held a concert in the Town Hall to help the club funds. The proceeds totalled £12/16/2. The members are grateful to Mr. Slatyer and to the president for her effort in the same month. A successful bridge party was held in the Club House; this realised £7/0/6. Thanks were due to Mesdames Platz and Copas for donating the prizes in August. Another bridge party held in the Club House realised £4/12/. In September Mrs. Stone donated a cushion to the club, which realised £4/0/6. The members are grateful to Mrs. Stone. Another bridge party was held in September in the Club House. The proceeds totalled £4/1/6. Mrs. Hopkins again donated the prizes. Later in September a garden party was held in Laurel Bank Park. The proceeds totalled £5/10/7. Mrs. Fett, who was sick at that time, donated 12/ towards the party and Mrs. M. Sinclair donated 10/. Thanks are due to the donors for these donations. In October another bridge party was held in the Club House. The proceeds totalled £2/11/6. In November the Toowoomba City Council gave the club a fence to erect round the lawn. Members are grateful to the City Council. They also desire to thank Alderman Platz for his assistance with the fencing and for his donation of £2 towards the erection of the fence. Thanks were due to Mesdames Platz, Dunsdon, Fett for donating wire for the fence. In November a successful bridge party was held in the Memorial Hall; this realised £7/15/6. Thanks were due to Mesdames Sinclair and Platz for donating the prizes. In December the club's life member, Mr. J. Hoare, passed away. The club lost a loyal friend. He is missed at meetings. In December Mrs. Fett donated a Christmas cake to the club. The sum of £4/5/3 was realised from this and 8/6 from a mystery parcel. Members are grateful to Mrs. Fett. In the same month Mrs. Platz helped the club through a very lean time. Members appreciate the assistance given by Mrs. Platz. In January Mrs. Dunsdon resigned owing to ill-health. She is missed by members, as she was always ready to help. It is hoped she will soon be well enough to be back with members again. In February the club had a very successful bridge party in the Memorial Hall; this realised £11/12/6. The club owes Mrs. Hopkins a debt of gratitude for donating the prizes and for paying the rent of the hall. The thanks and appreciation of the club are extended to the president (Mrs. M. Sinclair) for all she has done for the club during the year. It is with regret the members learn she is going to leave the club shortly. Members are going to miss her very much. Thanks also were due to the treasurer (Miss Rowe), Mrs. Bridgman and to the City Council for assistance rendered during the year.

Competitions held during the year resulted.—Singles Championship: Mrs. Dunsdon; Mrs. Childs (runner-up). Novice Handicap: Mrs. Scanlan; Mrs. Priest (runner-up). Singles Handicap: Mrs. Stone; Mrs. Dunsdon (runner-up).

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 4 April 1939. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)