Stephens enters its centenary year, invites AC players to the Ernie Melville Trophy

Our Club was established in 1923 on the first lease in what is now Yeronga Memorial Park in Brisbane. The Annual Club Dinner on 15th October marks the start of the Centenary Year for our Club.

Association Croquet players in Division 3 and Division 4 can come and help us celebrate by entering the Ernie Melville Trophy on the weekend of 22 and 23 October. This competition is to encourage those who have not entered many, or any, tournaments to have a go in a relaxed but properly run event just for them.

Entries close on Friday 14th October. Contact Heather at heather@knight.net.au

The inaugural Ernie Melville Trophy for Division 4 Association Croquet was held in 2013, Stephens' 90th Anniversary Year. It acknowledges all that Ernie Melville has contributed to his home club and to Croquet in general. He joined Stephens in 1988, installed the sprinkler system in 1992 and replaced the old septic tank with the sewerage system in 2004 and the kitchen a few years later. Ernie was Club President for eight years, Club Champion for twelve consecutive years and until recently, the club's Greens Director. For Queensland, he played Association Croquet in the Eire Cup and was a State Selector, State Handicapper, qualified referee and coach. He continues to be an active club member.

Another annual event is the Patron's Cup sponsored by the Club Patron of both Stephens and Graceville Croquet Clubs, Councillor for Tennyson Ward, Nicole Johnston.

On 17th September, Stephens snatched victory from the hands of defeat by winning all three games of the last round. Thank you to this year's host, Graceville, for a good day of friendly rivalry.

We love having visitors at Stephens so come and join us:

Association Croquet: Wednesday mornings 10am and Saturday afternoons at 1pm.

Golf Croquet: Tuesday mornings, Friday and Sunday afternoons from 3pm.

We welcome players of all levels of experience. Affiliated players $10, un-affiliated visitors $15.

By Heather Knight, Stephens. From the Croquet Newsletter, October 2022, page 30.