The Range Maleny remembers Gail Denver and closes a busy year

On Sunday 3/11/24, with the annual Maleny Music Festival providing a soundtrack, The Range Croquet Club of Maleny gave a toast to the life of Gail Denver, who passed away a year ago. The Gail Denver Tournament is dedicated to the life and memory of a well-loved, dynamic and generous member of the Maleny community.

In her busy life Gail found time to play and compete in croquet, often enjoyed with long-time friend and Maleny club president Sarah Widin. Contestants, officials and spectators enjoyed four days of competition.

The Open Division champion for 2024 was Lance Turner from Coolum, with Maleny's Donna Manning runner up. Second Division winner was Bill Habner from Nambour, with Caloundra's Murray Tinker in second.

Second Division Players at the Gail Denver Tournament 2024.

Saturday was Division 3, and local girl Lynette Evans took it the three games. Al Keetman from Bribie was second. The fourth division went to Steve Wilson from East Brisbane, who just pipped Maleny's 4th division champ Wallace Roy.

Third Division players.

Fourth Division players.

The club thanked the officials and volunteers who turn up again and again to enable tournaments like this to be staged. Thanks also went to the Maleny Showground and the Music Festival for their cooperation over a lively few days, and to State member and now Cabinet Minister Andrew Powell for supporting the event.

News from Croquet Queensland is that club champion Donna Manning has again been selected for the Queensland Association Croquet team. Donna and teammates will represent the state at the Eire Cup, the AC national championships to be held in Adelaide in March 2025.

At the recent AGM, members reflected on a busy and successful year. Club members performed well at local, regional and state levels, the club hosted events with returning and new visitors from near and far, and the courts were improved.

Office bearers for the year ahead are President Sarah Widin, Vice President Vince Carbery, Treasurer Stuart Craig and Wallace Roy as Club Secretary. Outgoing Secretary Priscilla Vickers has retired after thirteen years in the role. Club members, led by Vice President Vince, expressed their appreciation of Priscilla's dedication and competency over the years, including the period when the club obtained its first computer for managing records and communication.

Priscilla with flowers and Stuart, Vince and Sarah.

While handing the metaphorical quill to Wallace, Priscilla will continue to work on her game, especially the Ricochet form. Before switching to Ricochet, Priscilla had represented the club in Association Croquet competitions.

As the year winds up, the club's next formal event for 2024 is the final general meeting, followed by the end of year Christmas lunch and a well-earned rest.

As this report went to print, work was about to start on an intensive programme of lawn care. Dethatching and topdressing will be done to both courts. The works are being done with funding from the Sunshine Coast Council and the professional support of Mick McCombe from the Maleny Golf Club.

By David Kerr, The Range Maleny. From the Croquet Newsletter, November/December 2024, pages 37-39.