West Toowoomba annual meeting, 1949

The twenty-fourth annual meeting of the West Toowoomba Croquet Club was held in the club house on Monday last. Mrs. McConachie (president) was in the chair. There was a good attendance of members. Mrs. Crozier was a visitor from South Brisbane Croquet Club. The honorary secretary read the president's report, which included the following.—Membership at the commencement of the year was: Playing members 21, social members 6, life members 3. Two new members joined during the year and two members resigned from the club. Death claimed three old and very valued members — Mrs. Parrott, Mrs. McLean, and Mrs. Wilson. Mrs. Carter resigned from active membership and was made a life member. At present the membership was: Active members 21, life members 2, social members 5. To all members who had suffered bereavement during the year heartfelt sympathy was extended. During the year, the annual and eight monthly committee meetings were held. The attendances were: Mrs. McConachie 8, Mrs. Miller 4, Mrs. Flegler 7, Mrs. Searle 6, Mrs. Bullocks 5, Mrs. Sandberg 4, Mrs. O'Connell 8, Mrs. Webber 7, Mrs. de Fraine 7, Mrs. Dean 9, and other members two meetings each. Competitions played in the club during the year resulted.—Championship: Mrs. McConachie; runner-up, Mrs. Sandberg. Single handicap: Winner, Mrs. Dean; runner-up, Mrs. Searle. Doubles handicap: Winners, Mesdames Sandberg and Bullock; runners-up, Mesdames McConachie and de Fraine. Consistency: Mrs. McConachie; runner-up, Mrs. Miller. The year closed with a credit balance of £72/3/2. During the year members contributed to Food for Britain Fund, £8/8/; Starving Children, £5/10/. The club donated £1/1/ to Downs Tournament held in Warwick, 1948.

The West Toowoomba Bowling Club, from whom the lawns are leased, raised the rental to £70 a year as from January 1, 1949, and increased the price of refreshments to 1/ per head. Donations to club prize funds were made by Mesdames Flegler, McConachie, Elvery, Webber, Sandberg, Bullock, Miss Fryar and the late Mrs. McLean. Other members contributed prizes for social functions during the year. To all who have had helped the club's funds in this way, the club is deeply grateful. The birthday of the club was celebrated on February 23, 1948. Visitors from Toowoomba and Laurel Bank Clubs and friends were present. The Mayoress (Mrs. Annand) presented the club competition prizes won during the year. Pittsworth players visited the club lawns on June 1. On June 10 non-pennant players of the Toowoomba Clubs were entertained by West Toowoomba Pennant players in appreciation of assistance during pennant games. Members of the club were guests on the Pittsworth lawns one day in the second half of the year. Delegates and members attended Darling Downs tournament meetings, and in November delegates attended D.D.P.A. meeting in Allora. Mrs. Sapford inaugurated the champion of champions of the Darling Downs clubs and in November this contest was held in Allora for the first time. Mrs. McConachie was the winner and was proclaimed the champion of champions of the Darling Downs for 1948. The club's congratulations are extended to Mrs. McConachie on winning this distinction. In May the D.D.A. tournament was held at Warwick. Members took part in the Down's championship. Members also visited Brisbane in August for inter-State tournament. Christmas presents were given as usual to Mr. Goring (green-keeper), and to Misses Gill, and Noel Collins (assistants).

During the last few months of the year attendance on the lawns had been more regular, but it was felt that on Tuesdays and Thursdays more use should be made of the lawns. It was hoped that on those days members would be able to attend more regularly this year. The year ahead is a full one, with pennant games, and D.D. tournament to be held in Toowoomba in April and May, and inter-State and test matches in Brisbane in September. Appreciation of the assistance given during the year was expressed by the executive officers and all members who helped to make social functions a success; to the West Toowoomba Bowling Club for the use of the bowling pavilion for social functions and care of lawns; to the greenkeeper and to the Press.

Mrs. O'Connell (honorary treasurer) presented a financial report of the years activities. A very satisfactory position was revealed in this report.

Mrs. Webber congratulated the president and officers on the comprehensive and detailed account of the activities of the club during the year.

The president thanked executive officers and members for the assistance and co-operation during 1948. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: President, Mrs. E. A. McConachie; vice-president, Mrs. Elvery; honorary secretary, Mrs. M. Dean; honorary treasurer, Mrs. M. F. O'Connell; captain, Mrs. J. Flegler; vice-captain, Mrs. L. Webber; selection committee, Mesdames Flegler, Webber, and Dean; tea convenors, Mesdames Bullock and de Fraine; Press correspondent, Mrs. K. Sandberg.

A programme of club competitions was decided upon and included: (a) Championship; (b) junior A competition; (c) B and C Grade competition; (d) consistency competition for 1949.

Arrangements were made to hold the birthday tea. Pennant play for the 1949 Darling Downs Pennant auxiliary games will commence on March 1.

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 9 February 1949. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)