Tweed Heads hosts the regional Christmas party and Australia Day

Setting up the Regional Christmas Party, particularly having some idea of numbers attending, is akin to extracting teeth. Tweed Heads currently has the advantage of a large building. But as an organiser the thought is daunting. 1 person per club, a handful per club possibly a large number of attendees. Give thought to 200 descending en masse and expecting turkey, ham and all the trimmings. Of course there have been occasions in the past when large numbers have gathered for tournaments, but one has a fair idea because of advanced planning for such events.

This is another wonderful opportunity to meet together and have some friendship time. Especially after two years of limited interaction. Bob Linaker reigned supreme through the morning organising 30 plus players through 6 rounds of 7 hoop Golf Croquet - always a favourite at Tweed Heads Bob dispensed the prizes provided by each club to winner Mary McMahon (Southport), second Brian Lebihan (Tweed) and to three runners up.

The punch flowed freely and indeed there was turkey, cooked and carved by Brian Lebihan, who also provided leg ham. As always salads and desserts aplenty were provided by a multitude of willing cooks at Tweed Heads. T.H. always prides itself on catering and serving. Our new ‘Lucky Dip’ raffle means more ticket holders win. One item of choice per ticket.

Winners of the Regional Pennants were presented with their prizes. Association Croquet was won by BHPB/Coolangatta. Southport won the Div. 1 Golf Croquet Pennants. Burleigh Heads/ Palm beach won the Div. 2 Golf Croquet Pennants. Ricochet wiier was BH/PB/ Coolangatta. Beryl Turner as President of the GCTR made the presentations.

Tweed Heads (Cont.)

Joy Manning, Dot Davidson, Steve Scrimgeour and Malcolm Campbell who won Div 2 Golf Pennants with Beryl Turner.

Steve Scrimgeour, Joy Manning, Garry Purcell, Paula Bollington, Dave Luxmoore and Malcolm Campbell who won the Ricochet Croquet Pennants.

As far as Australia Day is concerned, as Gazetted, it was held at Tweed Heads. We kept it simple. Our growing Association Group played on Court 1. The more senior players do prefer this option along with the next generation. Using Courts 2 and 3 for a seven hoop competition was advantageous on an extremely hot day for those suffering in the conditions to sit out when they wished. It was won by Cheryl Norton, our up and coming player who also took the prize for the best dressed for Australia Day.

A group of the participants at the Australia Day celebration

Of course the Social Committee had produced the decoration and cuisine skills for satisfaction. And since we introduced a “lucky dip” for the raffle every member went home with a prize. But the revenue was raised! Was it tiring? Was it a good day? I am sure you all know that ON THE DAY, the organisation, cooperation and enjoyment all comes to the fore.

I will now diverge to the fact that we had a charming and gifted young Aboriginal Gentleman visit us to play at the beginning of this very week. He had been studying Croquet on line. Was interested and is now talking about bringing other members of the family to play. Could this be a turning point in the history of Tweed Heads Croquet Club? Fingers crossed and watch this space.

St. Patrick’s Day coming up folks. Penny Guthrie

West Toowoomba The inaugural Under 21’s Golf Croquet Gold Medal was contested in 2023. Addison Matthews won the bronze medal event in QLD and went on to compete in this event where he came home with the silver. Queensland held its first ever Under 21 Nationals in January. There were four Queenslanders (the first time a Queenslander has entered this event in the 6 years it has run) and all four proudly represented our club. Congratulations to all with Addison taking out first in the singles. Timothy Wright and Addison teamed together as runners up in the doubles. Frances Wright and Trinity Rouhead also represented as the only females in the field of 11 players. It was Trinity's first under 21s tournament. Timothy and Addison also leave for New Zealand this week to compete in the Under 21 Golf Croquet Worlds. We wish them all the best and hope they have a great time.

L-R: Addison Matthews, Tim Wright, Frances Wright and Trinity Rouhead

We finished the year with our annual Regional Christmas Friendship Day with 50 participates from 6 clubs around the region. They enjoyed games of golf, ricochet and association as well as a delicious Christmas lunch. We look forward to more of these days in 2023.

Participants in the annual Regional Friendship Day

Our year started with a Bunnings sausage sizzle to raise money for projects around the club. We have also held many functions over the summer months. For Australia Day we held a come and try, with some eager participants. Planning for our next major fundraiser is underway with our regional tournament being held in February and March. Over the past few months we have had players compete at other clubs in both golf and ricochet. It is anticipated that we will have more competitive participants this year. Thanks to Pat, Bill, Cloreen and Greg our CAQ trainers for providing us with sessions in golf and association and for starting our golf refereeing journey. We look forward to more of these in the future.

below of Greg Whymark with AC players

By Penny Guthrie, Tweed Heads. From the Croquet Newsletter, January/February 2023, pages 43-47.