What Queensland clubs did this month

Between 13 September and 11 October, 46 club stories went up on news.croquetqld.org, from pennant finals to a 100th birthday.

Coolum celebrated Life Member Alan George's 100th birthday.

Alan George with Coolum members and family on the lawn, the number 100 painted in frontPhoto: Coolum Croquet Club

Pennant results were among the stories. Windsor won the 2026 Brisbane Metro AC Pennants, with finals played at Stephens on 12 September. Stephens won the GC Division 2 Pennant against Twin Rivers and finished runners-up in the AC.

Toombul came back from 2-4 down to draw 5-5 with McIlwraith, and topped Division 3 with four match wins and was crowned 2026 Brisbane North Region Champions, moving on to the Brisbane Title match. Windsor won the Division 3 Pennant test against Toombul.

Toombul players after being crowned 2026 Brisbane North Region ChampionsPhoto: Toombul Croquet Club

Beyond the scoreboard, the stories fell into a few groups.

Clubs across the state opened their gates to new players. Bundaberg offers free Come and Try coaching on Tuesdays and Fridays. Windsor invited new players to games three days a week. Toowoomba listed its golf croquet mornings. Stephens promoted Tuesday evening croquet under the lights. Wynnum went out to meet people, setting up a gazebo at the Manly Spring Festival.

Clubs also put time into coaching. New Windsor members finished their second golf croquet skills session with Level 3 Coach Shane Davis and a special insight from Claire Warriner. McIlwraith wrapped up its second Player Development Program, with coaching from Gordon Giles and etiquette from Deirdre Giles.

A coach shows a group of players a shot on the lawn at McIlwraithPhoto: McIlwraith Croquet Club

Other stories covered competitions. Gracemere's Jake Kitchiner and Alyssa Close each won three of five games in their first singles Association event. Two Stephens members enjoyed the Division 3 and 4 Medals at Bundaberg, and Windsor's Francesca de Wytt won the 4th Division Singles.

At state level, the Queensland team placed fourth at the ISS in Melbourne, and Claire Warriner was named Queensland Player of the Series. Eildon also reported a close Queensland win over South Australia, with Claire named player of the series.

When Eildon's lawns closed, members were invited to socials at Toombul and Windsor, and Toombul hosted Eildon for a Play Day. Pine Rivers hosted its annual gateball tournament, where Moreton Bay Gateball took the team event. Capricorn Coast ran another Pinefest, which Gladstone won.

Players on the lawn at Toombul during the play day with Eildon visitorsPhoto: Toombul Croquet Club

McIlwraith marked 103 years and honoured five presidents spanning 25 years. Headland-Buderim gave its first Volunteer Achievement awards to Lesley Johnston and Carol Payne for the gardens. The Windsor Cup turned 25, and Twin Rivers shared a walk-round of its new clubhouse.

Windsor welcomed St Columba School students. Headland-Buderim hosted MJJ Accounting's planning day. Laurel Bank invited visitors to Devonshire Tea, and Eildon volunteers raised $2,162.67 at a Bunning Rothwell sausage sizzle. Eildon also held a sunny spring Gala Day.

Eildon's thank-you graphic for the Bunnings sausage sizzle, showing the $2,162.67 profit (Graphic: Eildon Croquet Club)

Could your club try one of these next month? A school visit, a business day or a sausage sizzle might be a good place to start.