Toowoomba Croquet Club unfurls its Downs pennant

In the absence of Mrs. J. Gibson (president of the Queensland Croquet Association), who was unable to visit Toowoomba owing to the illness of her husband, Mrs. E. D. Kenyon (honorary secretary of the association) performed the unfurling of the Darling Downs Pennant at the Toowoomba Croquet Club on Saturday afternoon. Before a large gathering of croquet players, Mrs. Kenyon, as she unfurled the pennant, extended her heartiest congratulations to the Toowoomba Club on its win, and mentioned especially Mesdames N. Fox and G. B. Mackay, and Mesdames K. Bedwell and Padget, first and fourth pairs respectively, who had won every game in which they had played. She did not think that any other pair had achieved this result. It was a meritorious performance, she said. Following the playing of competitions, trophies won during the year were presented by Mrs. Gordon Chalk. The winners were:—A Grade Round Robin championship: Mrs. N. Fox; runner-up, Mrs. G. B. Mackay; A Grade Round Robin doubles: Mesdames Gerald Boyce and G. Fogarty; runners-up, Mesdames G. B. Mackay and Grahame. President's Trophy handicap singles: Mrs. Padget; runner-up, Mrs. G. B. Mackay. Round Robin handicap: Mrs. N. Fox; runner-up, Mrs. Gerard Boyce. Handicap doubles: Mesdames G. B. Mackay and Quinn; runners-up, Mesdames K. Bedwell and Evans. B Grade championship: Mrs. Quinn; runner-up, Mrs. Evans. During afternoon tea, which was served at tables beautifully arranged with low bowls of pink camellias and blue Michaelmas daisies, a presentation of dainty hand-made linen handkerchiefs, the work of Mrs. N. Fox, was made to Mrs. Gerard Boyce, a foundation member of the Toowoomba Croquet Club, in honour of her eightieth birthday, which she recently celebrated. The presentation was made by Mrs. G. Cossart, president of the club, who also donated a cake attractively decorated to represent a miniature croquet lawn. The invited guests included the Mayoress (Mrs. J. D. Annand), Mesdames Gordon Chalk, J. Gibson (president of the Q.C.A.), E. D. Kenyon and T. Daniels (secretary and treasurer of the Q.C.A.), C. P. Sapsford (Allora), president of the Darling Downs Croquet Association, M. A. Reid (Allora), secretary of the Darling Downs Pennant Auxiliary, Crawford (club's delegate from Q.C.A., Brisbane), and presidents and members of the West Toowoomba, Laurel Bank, Warwick and Allora (2) Croquet Clubs. Early Victorian posies were presented to Mesdames Kenyon and Sapsford. Wall brackets arranged with clusters of bright red Hawthorne berries provided striking decorations in the pavilion, which was also massed with jars of colourful winter blossoms. Mrs. K. Bedwell is secretary of the Toowoomba Croquet Club, of which Mrs. G. B. Mackay is treasurer, and Mrs. Padet captain. At the conclusion of the function, the visitors left on their return to Brisbane and Allora.

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 5 July 1948. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)