McIlwraith winning on and off the lawns

2023 is proving to be a milestone year for McIlwraith Croquet Club, one of Queensland's oldest clubs.

The Club is roqueting back after the damaging flood of February 2022 to perform even stronger than ever following success in their funding application for sporting clubs severely impacted by Brisbane's widespread flood event.

The Club Committee applied for a range of flood recovery grants on offer to sports clubs from the Brisbane City Council and jointly through the Federal and State Governments. They achieved success with the Federal/State Community and Recreation Asset Recovery and Resilience Program. Work on repairs to the downstairs area of the club house started in May and upstairs is expected to start in July. A new mower was purchased through the grant and an insurance payout to the Club has funded a new roller.

This much-needed assistance has come just in time for the Club to celebrate its Centenary weekend on September 23-24.

McIlwraith President, Ruth Matchett, said the Club would be looking in top shape following the funding injection as well as successful insurance claim. "It's been a team effort to navigate the many hoops we've had to go through to land where we are today," Ruth said. "We now have sufficient funds to undertake a range of important maintenance initiatives including improving our playing surface area."

She said the lawns were constantly in use. The Club has introduced competitive play on their designated Club Play Days using the Advantage System for handicapping. "Members have responded positively to the change and the number of members signing up to play has increased. Members also are increasingly using the Club's online booking sheet to organise their own games." Ruth said support for the Club was evidence of the value placed on it by the community and more broadly, reinforced the value placed on sport and recreation regardless of the age of the players.

"Our Club exists thanks to the generosity of Lady Harriette McIlwraith who donated the land for this purpose 100 years ago," Ruth said. "Since then, her vision and generous spirit have been carried forward thanks to the many thousands of players who have played here over that time. We are excited to be celebrating this milestone with our players, friends and supporters." And with a bit of luck and good timing, the event may even coincide with a welcome to the Club's 100th member.

"We currently have 99 members which is the highest membership we've ever enjoyed," Ruth said. "We think it's a very positive sign of a revival in the community's love for croquet."

President's Cup Golf Croquet Open Doubles Championships

By Lesley Stabler, McIlwraith. From the Croquet Newsletter, May/June 2023, pages 17, 18.