1947 pennant unfurled at West Toowoomba

At the West Toowoomba Croquet Club yesterday afternoon Mrs. J. Gibson, president of the Queensland Croquet Association, performed the ceremony of unfurling the 1947 pennant, which was won by the West Toowoomba Club with 281 points. The Toowoomba Club was runner-up with 277 points.

After being in recess for six years, the Darling Downs Pennant Auxiliary this year decided to organise a series of pennant matches among the Toowoomba, West Toowoomba, Warwick, and St. Andrew's (Allora) Croquet Clubs, and victory went to the West Toowoomba Club. The Allora, Pittsworth and Laurel Bank Croquet Clubs were unable to take part in the matches. As Mrs. Gibson unfurled the pennant, which fluttered side by side with three other pennants won by the club, she expressed congratulations on the club's success.

Mrs. W. Miller, president of the Darling Downs Pennant Auxiliary, congratulated the West Toowoomba Croquet Club and extended a welcome to the visitors, who, in addition to Mrs. Gibson, included the Mayoress, Mrs. J. D. Annand, Mrs. W. R. Pitter, honorary secretary of the Queensland Croquet Association, Mrs. E. D. Kenyon, honorary treasurer of the association, Mrs. Gerard Boyce, president of the Darling Downs Croquet Tournament Committee, and Mesdames G. Cossart and P. S. Priest, presidents of the Toowoomba and Laurel Bank Croquet Clubs respectively. Members of the three Toowoomba clubs were also present.

Tea was served in the pavilion. Beneath a canopy of gaily coloured pennants the T-shaped table was beautifully decorated with fragrant blossoms. Centred with crystal bowls of pink and mauve sweet peas and autumn tinted rosebuds, the table was also adorned with tiny vases of bouvardia, delphiniums, rosebuds, carnations and Geraldton wax in pastel shades, which toned with the hand-painted place cards and floral serviettes. An iced and decorated cake topped with a miniature pennant also adorned the table. It was made and presented by Mrs. W. Miller, who, with the assistance of Mrs. C. Healy, was also responsible for the floral decorations.

Bouquets were presented to Mrs. Annand, Mrs. Gibson, and Mrs. V. Stuart (honorary secretary of the Darling Downs Pennant Auxiliary). Mrs. Stuart was thanked by the president for her untiring work. Mesdames Miller, W. R. Pitter, E. D. Kenyon and J. Flegler received shoulder sprays. The bouquets and sprays were the work of Mesdames Miller and C. J. Searle respectively.

Congratulations were received from the Warwick Croquet Club. Mesdames G. Cossart and P. S. Priest also expressed congratulations on behalf of their members to the West Toowoomba Club, of which the officials are Mrs. J. Flegler (president), Mrs. M. Dean (secretary), Mrs. E. A. McConachie (treasurer) and Mrs. Webber (acting secretary).

Mrs. Gibson's frock of navy blue wool sheer was relieved at the neckline with ice blue to match the feather tips which ornamented the front of her navy blue felt hat. She added a fur cape. A small navy blue felt hat featuring a rolled brim and trimmed with a white feather mount and chenille veiling was worn by Mrs. Annand with her blue frock and tailored tweed coat in saxe blue tonings. Mrs. Miller covered her bright blue frock with a fur coat, and her black hat was brightened with coloured flowers. Mrs. Stuart wore a fur necklet with her black suit. Her black toque was finished with veiling. A jacaranda blue knitted frock was worn by Mrs. F. Flegler under her black tailored coat. Her small black hat was set at one side with a bow. A wide fur collar was a smart finish to the black coat worn by Mrs. Boyce over her frock of aqua blue wool jersey. Her black velvet toque was trimmed with grosgrain ribbon.

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 10 June 1947. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)