Lorraine Whiteman at 94, a birthday-Charity day, and a Unified Single Club for Ballina

The Club's oldest croquet playing player Lorraine Whiteman, 94, is still fronting up weekly for her beloved sport of Golf Croquet.

Lorraine still plays a handy game and enjoys playing a few days a week mixing it with her younger opponents. Although Doubles play is her pet version, she is not afraid to have a crack at a singles game now and then.

Age is no barrier for many Club members some in their 90s and many in their 80s. By engaging in an active lifestyle, many seniors are redefining what it means to grow older. All very much inspirational members.

The Club celebrated its 16th birthday and Charity fund raising day combined on Sunday 19th April. It was a wonderful day organised by the management and volunteers which did see many members out enjoying themselves and raising money for this year's recipient: BALLINA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY.

A heartfelt thank you to all that made this a special day. The Club raised $1,500.

Birthday and Charity Fund Raising attendees.

Recently the Club supported the Community Domestic Violence Purple Friday morning tea at the Cherry Street Sports Group Club Ballina. A huge attendance was on hand to listen to speakers and support fundraising donations made to ESCABAGS.

The Cherry Street Croquet Club raised $1,000 thanks to all members and special thanks to David and Penny Scott, Cherry Street Sports, for their added wonderful donation to ESCABAGS. We cannot thank you all enough!

Stacey Jane (Escabags founder), David Scott and Robyn Poynting.

Penny Scott, David Scott, Libby Hudson, Marlene Rennie, Wendy Gilmore, Joan Saunders, Maurie Russell.

Joan Doust and David Scott.

Recent Tournaments Club Players:

- Ray Chapman played in the recent NSW Open Golf Croquet Singles Championships and finished a creditable 5th in his block, just failing to make the top 16. A great effort. Congratulations Ray. - Phyllis Waters played in the 9 plus Handicap Association NSW Singles and finished a well deserved 6th in a very hot field. Congratulations Phyllis.

The Club has secured a new defibrillator. This is a wonderful gesture from Wendy Gilmore, Club Vice President. This is not only a piece of equipment, it is a gift of life, giving members peace of mind. A wonderful gift of generosity, we cannot thank you enough. Thank you so much Wendy.

There has been a change in Croquet played in Ballina. With the Cherry Street Sports Group taking over the full lease on the Club House and lawns, what they built and established some years back, they have decided to form a Unified Single Club for members to play on any one day of 6 days Tuesday to Sunday covering all versions.

A move is to increase community access and support the long term sustainability of the sport. The focus is on supporting Croquet in Ballina by ensuring the facilities can be enjoyed widely and consistently as possible. A transition to a Unified Single Club is under the guidance of Cherry Street Sports Group Ballina which is a member-based Community Club, with profits invested in local sports and facilities and Community Groups. Everyone can still play and enjoy their Croquet, that is not affected at all, it just comes under a different management. Some find it hard to come to terms with, but most find it as welcoming news. Resistance to changes in management guidance has effected some, but hopefully in time this will all settle and everyone moves on. Valuing tradition over modification can create conflict. Some long time members do see their identification, loss of independence and community connections disbanded. The move is to sustain viability; an inclusive structure; health of Croquet in Ballina and improving access to playing more days. The rich history of Croquet in Ballina is respected, and always will be!

Greg Porter

By Greg Porter. From the Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2026, pages 18-21.