Toowoomba Croquet Club annual meeting, 31st year

The 31st annual general meeting of the Toowoomba Croquet Club was held in the Club House, and presided over by the president (Mrs. Os. Booth). Other members present were: Mesdames F. G. Hooper, C. Fortescue, F. Bridgman, D. F. Marshall, F. Hodgson, F. W. Isaacs, G. Boyce, H. Goodrich, J. Esler, W. Hooper, J. Rogers, J. B. Kingsford, C. Blair, A. V. Grahame, J. Lee, and M. Dines (hon. secretary).

Mrs. F. Bridgman (hon. treasurer) read her annual report, together with the balance sheet.

The report and balance sheet were adopted, on the motion of the president, who, in the course of her remarks, said:—

I cannot conceal my pride in presenting to you my views as president of the club for the second year, concerning the 31st year of the club's life. In these times of stress it seems an achievement worthy of note to start the year with a credit balance of £26/17/ and finish with £40/5/9 to call our own. That portion of this amount has been raised and specially earmarked for the ceiling of the Club House and for painting and repairs does not, in any way, detract from the enviable position. Only once during the year was it found necessary to hold a function of a semi-public nature, and this took the form of a bridge afternoon, realising £16, and we all have memories of the beautifully-decorated cake, representing a miniature croquet lawn, presented by Mrs. Hodgson—the disposal of which netted £5/10/ towards this amount. I thank her for this splendid contribution to the success of the afternoon.

The fact of our not having to purchase soil for top dressing has helped us considerably, but as this is not like the brook, and cannot go on forever, the new committee will be faced with this expenditure during the coming year, if the high standard of the lawns is to be maintained.

A delightful recognition of our victory in the Downs pennant matches was manifested in the unfurling of the second flag by Mrs. Sowden, the president of the Queensland Croquet Association, in March last, and members felt that they could not allow their visiting friends to depart without some exhibition of their gratitude, and I do hope that the evening spent with us will always be a pleasant memory to them. Winning the pennant meant the erection of another flagpole for its accommodation on "high days." This involved an expenditure of £9. Another pennant comes our way this year, our members having won the third.

Six clubs competed in the pennant matches this year, and obviously this not only necessitated more play on our lawns but more trips to our sister clubs in the country.

Some of our members found pleasure in playing interclub matches with Graceville and Ipswich in June last, and, if my hopes are realised, these little outings will become annual functions. I have said, on more than one occasion, that I think we do not give to home and home matches the attention they deserve, but I am delighted to think that our junior players were given an opportunity to compete outside the club in their match with the West-End Club during the year. I shall welcome warm-heartedly any effort to promote these games at any time.

During the year we farewelled Mrs. Cossart, prior to her trip abroad, and a presentation was made to her by club members.

The opening of the new club house and lawns at Allora provided a suitable opportunity for the president, captain, treasurer, Mrs. W. Hooper, and Miss Booth to motor there and not only to carry greetings from the club, but to return the compliment they have always paid us.

I am pleased to know that a new club in connection with that delightfully situated spot—Laurel Bank—has been properly formed and, if environment has anything to do with the game, the members should go far in the croquet world. Some of our members have already given tuition to those of their club who have sought their services, and a deal of progress has been made on Mrs. Marshall's lawn, which has been placed at their disposal.

I warmly congratulate Mrs. Bridgman upon her success in winning, for the second time in succession, the president's trophy at the interstate tournament in Brisbane during the year, and I am confident that every member will join me in felicitations. Her services to the club, as treasurer and Press correspondent, I am pleased to acknowledge, and members appreciate the faithful recording of the club's activities. My congratulations, too, are extended to her and her partner, Mrs. Lee, on being runners-up in the doubles handicap event at the interstate tournament, already referred to, and I seize this opportunity of wishing the club members, Mesdames Bridgman, Boyce, Lee, and Hodgson, the greatest possible measure of success in their competitions in the forthcoming interstate tournament of 1934.

You will all appreciate, as deeply as I do, the gift to the club of an honour board by Mrs. Lee, and will combine with me in expressing thanks to her husband for the everlasting record of our club champions, and her donation of corner flags, of the club's colours, for the lawns, which will always remind us of their generosity and goodwill.

A meed of praise is due to the keeper of the lawns, who, under the watchful eyes and able supervision of Mesdames Dines and Marshall, has produced throughout the year grounds that have been a pleasure to play upon, and which have been the admiration of many more prosperous clubs than our own. I regret, however, that the late greenkeeper, Albert, was obliged, after many years of service, to relinquish his duties, owing to illness, and I trust that he will soon be restored to normal health.

My thanks are offered to those members who have made many sacrifices throughout the year, in caring for the entertainment of our visitors and our own members during the pennant competitions. I cannot say enough for them.

I also take this opportunity of saying how much I value the assistance given me by the captain and secretary during my term of office, and I am mindful, too, of the help that has always been ungrudgingly given by our patroness and the Press. I thank all those who have helped the club with donations and trophies; the auditor for the work undertaken in auditing the accounts, and finally I congratulate the winners of the various competitions during the playing year.

Mrs. Fortescue presented the captain's report.

The election of officers resulted: Patroness, Mrs. J. D. Annand; president, Mrs. Os. Booth; vice-presidents, Mesdames F. Hooper and F. Hodgson; captain, Mrs. C. Fortescue; treasurer, Mrs. F. Bridgman; committee, Mesdames D. F. Marshall, F. W. Isaacs, and J. Lee; hon. secretary, Mrs. M. Dines.

Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr. Marshall for auditing the club's books, and to the Press representatives for their reports of the club's social doings during the year.

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 11 August 1934. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)