Annual report for 1951 and loss of the West Toowoomba lawns

The twenty-seventh annual report of the West Toowoomba Croquet Club for 1951 states: Owing to our limited occupancy of West Toowoomba lawns under the tenancy of the West Toowoomba Bowling Club, the club's activities and prosperity during the year have been somewhat restricted. Our tenancy of the lawns ceased on September 30, 1951, but we were allowed play on one lawn until December 1, 1951, which was our last day of play on West Toowoomba greens after a tenancy of almost 27 years.

Since the beginning of the year, our executive has been untiring in efforts to obtain ground for new lawns. The possibility of obtaining freehold land was explored, but the idea was abandoned, owing to the high cost of a suitable area within average distance for members. An approach was made to the Toowoomba City Council early in the year for permission to re-establish lawns previously laid in Newtown Park. Correspondence and deputations from our club to the City Council resulted in permission being received on October 8 to occupy ground in Newtown Park on certain conditions.

Since that date we have been awaiting the council's fulfilment of its promise to rotary hoe and fence the area. I have to report that progress in this respect amounts to the ground having been rotary hoed, but it will be impossible to proceed with preparation of the ground until a fence is erected and rains come to enable the planting of lawn grass. Permission was received on January 22 to install a water service to the area, and your executive has made arrangements to have this done at an early date.

It is unfortunate that, owing to the unaccountable delay in procuring a site for new lawns, our club membership has suffered considerably. At our last annual meeting seven members resigned, and recently several more resignations were received. Owing to these resignations, our membership has been considerably depleted, and the necessity to procure new members has become urgent.

During the year, absence from Toowoomba necessitated the resignation of our honorary treasurer, Mrs. L. Webber. Her resignation was accepted with deep regret, and appreciation of her services to the club was placed on record. Mrs. Apelt accepted the position of honorary treasurer for the remainder of the year. It was with deep regret that club members learned of our president's (Mrs. C. J. Searle) accident, which necessitated her being a patient in the Toowoomba General Hospital for several months. Members extended sympathy and best wishes to her for a speedy recovery, and we look forward to the time when she will be well enough to take part in club activities again.

In March our club participated in Downs pennant games. St. Andrew's Club, Allora, won the 1951 Pennant, and we extend hearty congratulations to it on winning, for the first time, the much coveted flag presented by the Queensland Croquet Association.

Members entered for all events of the Downs annual tournament held in Toowoomba in April. Winners were: Downs championship, Mrs. P. Quinn (runner-up); B and C singles, Mrs. Doyle (runner-up); novice handicap, Mrs. B. Hanscomb (runner-up). Members catered for refreshments for visiting contestants, and thanks are expressed for the generous assistance and co-operation received from our members in this work.

Successful players in the Queensland Croquet Association tournament held in Brisbane were: President's trophy (Junior A section), winner, Mrs. P. Quinn; B and C Grade doubles handicap, winners, Mrs. Doyle and partner. We extend hearty congratulations to Mrs. Quinn and Mrs. Doyle.

The Darling Downs Champion of Champions contest was held on the Laurel Bank lawns in November. The winner was Mrs. Smith (Warwick), with Mrs. N. Fox (Toowoomba) runner-up. Our congratulations are extended to the successful players.

Owing to the unsettled occupancy of our greens, our club was unable to participate in inter-club play during the latter half of the year. The twenty-sixth annual birthday party of the club was held in the bowlers' pavilion in February. Occupying pride of place on the afternoon tea table was a birthday cake made and presented by the president, Mrs. Searle. Trophies won during the year were presented to the winners by Mrs. Annand. A successful bridge party to raise funds for the new lawns was held in July. Members of the club organised and ran a stall during the Carnival of Flowers. This venture was not as remunerative as we had hoped. The sum of £21/15/- was raised by means of a jumble street stall held in October.

The annual Christmas party this year was celebrated with a luncheon party in the West Toowoomba Bowling Club's pavilion. Members exchanged Christmas gifts, and gifts were made to Mr. B. Goring, green-keeper, and his assistant, Mr. N. Collins, and also to Misses B. and W. Gill.

Special donations towards the cost of establishing new lawns were gratefully received from the Toowoomba Croquet Club, Laurel Bank Croquet Club, Mrs. Binney and Mrs. K. Bedwell. We desire to express our thanks to these donors, and to all other members and friends who made gifts in kind or money to our club during the year. Our special thanks are due to Mrs. Miller for table floral decorations at social functions, to the West Toowoomba Bowling Club for the use of its pavilion, and to the "Toowoomba Chronicle," which throughout the year accepted our weekly notes and accounts of club activities for publication.

The president desires to thank all members for their inquiries and visits during her time in the Toowoomba General Hospital. She congratulates all the successful competitors during the year, and extends to all executive officers and members thanks for loyal co-operation and continued support. We look forward with determination and hope to establishing our new lawns in Newtown Park, and trust that by so doing a keener interest and enthusiasm will be taken in croquet activities in Toowoomba and on the Downs.

The election of officers for 1952 followed the reading of the annual report. Officers elected were: President and captain, Mrs. J. Flegler; secretary, Mrs. M. Dean; treasurer, Mrs. R. H. Apelt; vice-captain, Mrs. J. Henschell.

The article as it was printed in The Toowoomba Chronicle, 14 February 1952. Scan from Trove, National Library of Australia. (Trove, National Library of Australia)