West Toowoomba annual meeting, 1946

The twenty-first annual meeting of the West Toowoomba Croquet Club was held in the Club House on Monday. There was an excellent attendance. The president's and the honorary treasurer's reports were adopted. The latter revealed a very satisfactory position.

In the report of the president (Mrs. O'Connell) it was stated that owing to war conditions the activities of the club had been considerably curtailed, but it was hoped that in 1946 the members would be more active and interested in competitions and inter-club games. At the commencement of the year there were 20 active members, two social members and one life member. During the year one member, Mrs. Farr, captain of the club, resigned owing to transfer, and one new member, Mrs. W. A. Cooke, was admitted. Committee meetings generally were poorly attended. For the first time since 1942 a championship round robin competition was held. Other competitions played were a handicap round robin event and a progressive handicap competition, which was played at the commencement of each quarter. Owing to weather conditions and the top dressing of lawns none of these competitions had been completed. Mrs. Murr's trophy was won by Mrs. Farr. The anniversary of the club was celebrated on February 20, 1945. A progressive croquet and social afternoon was held at the lawns to celebrate the coming of peace, and a happy time was spent by members. Opportunity was taken at this afternoon to farewell Mrs. Farr, the captain, who, with her husband, had gone to live in Rockhampton. A presentation was made to Mrs. Farr by members and all wished her good luck in her new home. The Christmas party for members took place on the lawn. Two matches were played with the Toowoomba Club. The match on the Toowoomba lawns resulted in a win for the Toowoomba Club by 95 to 73 points. West Toowoomba gained a win by 113 to 86 points on the home lawns. Members spent a happy day on the Pittsworth lawns and were the guests of the Pittsworth Club for the day. West Toowoomba gained 172 points and Pittsworth 129 points. Mrs. O'Connell was the winner of a trophy presented by Mrs. Mayall. On May 10 Brisbane players, with the president and secretary of Queensland Croquet Association, visited this city. The visitors were welcomed by Toowoomba clubs at the West Toowoomba Bowling Club's pavilion. Play commenced on Friday morning at 10 o'clock, under the management of Mrs. Farr, and continued throughout the following day. Play was in the form of a miniature tournament, in which members from Pittsworth, Dalby, Laurel Bank, Toowoomba and West Toowoomba Clubs, as well as Brisbane visitors participated. Mesdames Fox and Mackay were the winners, with Mesdames Macrossan and T. Holmes being runners-up. In September members of the club entered the State tournament competitions in Brisbane and were a credit to the club. During the year £3 each was donated to the Australian Comforts Fund, the Red Cross, Red Shield and Limbless Soldiers' Appeal. The donations were made from subscriptions by club members. War Saving Certificates purchased from January 6, 1945, to June 30, 1945, amounted to £11/18/6. The group was then closed. The president thanked the executive officers and members for their loyalty and help during the past two years. "I have had two happy years as your president and I ask you to tender the same support and courtesy to my successor," she said. She thanked Mr. Blake, who had audited the books, and the "Toowoomba Chronicle" for publicity.

The election of officers resulted: President, Mrs. J. Flegler; vice-president, Mrs. W. A. Elvery; honorary secretary, Mrs. W. A. Dean; treasurer, Mrs. E. A. McConachie; captain, Mrs. J. Flegler; vice-captain, Mrs. M. F. O'Connell; selection committee, the captain, the vice-captain and Mrs. Miller; tea convener, Mrs. W. M. Cooke.

It was decided that the following competitions be played during the year: Championship round robin event; handicap competition; doubles handicap competition; progressive handicap competition; to be played on the second Tuesday in March, June, September and December. Owing to the possibility of pennant play being resumed during the first half of the year, it was deemed advisable to leave the arrangement of interclub matches till the latter half of the year.

The twenty-first anniversary of the club will be held on the lawns on Monday, February 25. Members of Downs associated clubs are invited to attend.

During the year a donation from Mrs. Marshall was received for the prize fund. It was decided that it should provide the prize for the winner of the championship competition.

Mrs. McLean voiced members' appreciation of the services rendered by Mrs. O'Connell as president during the past two years.

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 6 February 1946. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)