Sheila Beattie, 97, still an active AC player at Tweed Heads

“AGE SHALL NOT WEARY HER”. Misquote for Sheila Beattie, member of Tweed Heads Croquet Club. Can Sheila boast at 97 of still being an active and extremely competent AC player? A lady of diminutive stature and the bearing of a Queen. Boast, I think not, but I can do it for her!

To backtrack 97 years Sheila was born on 21st September 1925. Schooling Primary and High School in Hobart, the latter offering a wide curriculum including Commercial/Business Studies. An extremely advantageous job to follow, as Secretary to the Registrar of University of Tasmania, which continued into her married life.

At 20 she partnered with Tom to become an excellent ballroom dancer. This included the highlight of being Tasmanian Champions. Tom, no doubt to his chagrin, did not stay the course in Sheila’s life as a certain young man, name of Gordon appeared on the scene from Sydney. Sheila married Gordon at the age of 25.

Their life together raising family was varied and active. They travelled frequently. Sailed in their yacht for leisure. Interacted with well known musicians as committee members of the Tasmanian Orchestra and watched their three children find successful careers.

A significant volunteering effort saw Sheila and Gordon, through volunteering for the Salvation Army, bring children from Institutions into their lives. Taking them sailing on their yacht, organising parties and gifts. Also aiding ladies of lower intellectual abilities, enhancing their lives with Christmas Parties, Gifts and in innumerable ways.

At 50 Sheila became active in a local Spinners and Weavers Guild. This led to her setting up a full blown Company to manufacture and sell their product.

Croquet, yes that came at age 62. As ever nothing done by halves. She became a Coach and a Referee. After joining the Tweed Heads Croquet Club she refereed for the Gold Coast Tournament. She oversaw exams for coaches. Sheila and Iris Trevethick were both Examining Referees. She conducted Seminars for Laws of Association and Rules of other Codes 4 times a year for 4 years.

Sheila had a tour of duty as President of Tweed Heads Croquet Club in the heyday of frequent Gala Days. The days when the Gold Coast Tournament brought 100 players to the Club. A comment she dropped was that “she watched the likes of Dave Luxmore growing up in his Croquet Career”. She partnered Colin Moorcroft, from Murwillumbah, in local Association Competitions very successfully. A favourite quote from Colin, “We didn’t come first but we beat the Champions”! Colin is now a member at Tweed Heads and both he and Sheila and Iris Trevethick mentor the increasing number of Association players as the numbers start to grow again in that code.

Someone recently said to me "Do you find that Bridge Players make excellent Croquet Players?" I pointed onto the Court and replied "that lady is a Bridge Player. She is 97 years old and watch the expertise in the game she is now playing. Photo left of Sheila receiving Life memberships of the Club in 2020

Penny Guthrie

By Penny Guthrie, Tweed Heads. From the Croquet Newsletter, December 2022, pages 31, 32.