Windsor celebrates Margaret Bunker's 80th, upgrades clubhouse, and Max Kilmister achieves Level Two coaching

Windsor Croquet Club member Margaret Bunker, who joined the club in 2020, celebrated her 80th birthday on 29 July. She received a birthday cake at the mah-jong meeting before her birthday so those attending could help her celebrate the special milestone in her life. This would not have been possible but for the fact Margaret was the instigator of creating the group.

So the mah-jong meeting at the club house was the perfect place for her special occasion. For some time, Margaret had been playing mah-jong at another venue in Brisbane and thought the Windsor Club House would be the perfect setting to play the game. It would also be a way to raise funds for her Croquet club. With consultation and help from other members, mah-jong playing began earlier this year and now is played weekly, attracting more than 20 players. More people are on the waiting list, and all this is thanks to the generosity of Margaret.

The success of this venture can be proven by the regular attendance of the players and the laughter and easy conversations that take place. Some players were known to each other before coming to the group, but many knew no one and now consider themselves mah-jong friends.

Regular attendance of players, with Margaret and Lesley, another club member, generously coaching new players, has considerably enhanced the skills of those attending. The afternoon session is highlighted by afternoon tea with many delicacies on offer, including home-made cakes, biscuits, and slices. Margaret is also a regular and talented croquet player and enjoys competing in club and pennant competitions.

Windsor Croquet Club members Annette Cooper, Gary Andison, Jim Love, and John Berry won 8 games out of ten when competing in a recent third division pennants competition against Merthyr Club members.

Windsor members Annette Cooper, Gary Andison, Jim Love, and John Berry with Merthyr Club members after the pennants match.

President Mike Mabbutt said it was a case of out with the old and in with the new when an upgrade of the furniture at the club house was needed after the 22 February 2022 flood. The old furniture was about 10-12 years old.

"The wood on the chairs and tables was badly affected when flood waters inundated the club house," he said, "and the tables and chairs went under water."

"I applied for a grant from the Gambling Community Benefit Fund and we were given $35,000 to replace the furniture and re-paint the interior of the building. The old furniture was then sold piece by piece through online outlets and an amount of $1,120 was raised for the club."

Claire Warriner inspects the new seating and tables at the club house.

Mike said thanks to Glynn, a member with hands-on experience, who took the furniture from kit form to the finished articles, it is now ready for use by members and visitors.

WCC member Max Kilmister has recently achieved the Australian Croquet Association Level Two coaching badge.

Max said the level 2 badge will enable him to coach new and intermediate level players. "I can teach jump shots and more advanced skills," he said. This qualification means Max will be able to coach players on the lawns, complementing his capacity to teach players the rules of the game in the clubhouse.

Max Kilmister with his ACA Level Two coaching badge.

Over recent years, Max has delivered power-point presentations on Golf Croquet basics, tactics, and rules to assist both new and more experienced players to better understand the game.

By Jeanette Morrison, Windsor. From the Croquet Newsletter, September/October 2023, pages 30-32.