Wynnum opens a new shed, hosts a thrilling Bayside Cup, and crowns club champions

Plover chick update

One Saturday afternoon in early October two tiny chicks were hatched. Ma and Pa plover were busy keeping them in sight but eventually took them down to the nearby creek. We have always been very fond of our plover families over the years, so let's hope the new family grow and return again next year.

Improved Facilities

On Saturday 21st October, Wynnum CC President, John van Barneveld, was delighted to welcome our Club Patron, Cr Sarah Whitmee, to officially open our new Equipment Storage and Maintenance Building, otherwise known as "The Shed". This was the culmination of a 5-year project, that began with renegotiating our lease boundary to accommodate the new building; navigating through Brisbane CC approvals for tree removal and protection, heritage and flood constraints; then COVID delays; until finally securing a grant for the construction late last year from the Brisbane Lord Mayor's Better Suburbs Grant, Community Facility Program.

Construction commenced in March and was completed by the end of June, on time and within budget, thanks to an excellent Builder, Celt Construct of Wynnum. Final finishing and fit-out was then completed by the Club members themselves. Many Club members have been involved with the project over the years. With our equipment now in one weathertight and secured building we are delighted with the final result.

Bayside Cup, Sunday 5 November

The rain showers on Sunday were a nuisance but weren't enough to dampen the enthusiasm of the competitors in our last major tournament of the year. The "Go See Touring Bayside Cup" GC Doubles was a great success, with a full complement of players from Bribie Island, Burleigh Heads Palm Beach, Eildon, Headland-Buderim, Ipswich, Stephens, Twin Rivers and Windsor, as well as a number of our own club members, all vying for the honours.

Block A was won by Wade Hart and Desley Bischoff (Eildon) who won all 7 games.

Block B was won by Graham McLean (Eildon) and Dennis Green (Bribie Island) who won 6 games with 20 net hoops, closely followed by Ross and Helen Rillie (Headland-Buderim) who won 6 games with 17 net hoops.

The final was an epic battle, won 7:5 by Wade and Desley over last year's winners, Graham and Dennis.

Last year's winners Graham McLean (Eildon) and Dennis Green (Bribie Island), runners-up.

As with any tournament, a team effort is required to achieve a good result, and our team did us proud. From hoop-setting and court preparation, right through to games organisation and management, data entry, and including refereeing, cleaning and catering, raffles we had a lot of willing volunteers. Many thanks to everyone.

We value greatly our ongoing relationship with Go See Touring and very much appreciate their sponsorship of the Bayside Cup each year. Deirdre Giles presented the Cup and prizes to the winners and runners up on behalf of Go See Touring.

WCC Club Championships

Our Club Championships are now underway with trophies to be presented at our Christmas lunch.

The WCC Women's Handicap singles was held on Saturday 30 September. It was a close contest particularly between the top three players, Esme, Vivian and Beryl. Esme Lucas-Havens won the Dell Nichol Shield for the second time. Congratulations Esme and well done to all the players who took part.

The WCC singles competition was held on Saturday 7th October, on a very windy afternoon. Although there were only 4 entrants for this level play event, some of the individual game results were surprising; and the winner overall was Gordon Giles. Congratulations Gordon, well done.

The WCC Mixed Doubles Championship was held on Sunday 15 October for the Richard Pickvance Shield. With 8 teams entered, it was encouraging to see several relatively "new" players enter the competition against the more experienced and game hardened players. Pleasingly, nearly all teams won at least 2 games and the ultimate winning team who won all 7 games was Deirdre and Gordon Giles. Well played and Congratulations!

Mixed Doubles Championship competitors.

Many thanks to all the members who helped put this event together, the hoop setters Deirdre, Gordon and Richard, Gordon for being the TM, the cake makers especially Richard for his super sugar hit slice, Wendy Snowdon for keeping everyone well-nourished and Aina Johns as referee in training.

We have started a new In-house Golf Croquet Doubles competition that commenced on Saturday 21st October with two teams, four pairs in each team, each pair being an experienced player partnering a less experienced player. The competition will be played over 8 Saturday mornings and will consist of two rounds, each pair playing all pairs of the opposing team, twice. Participants welcomed an alternative to playing social games on Club Days and the opportunity to commence, or improve, their competitive skills.

Golf Croquet Pennants

Wynnum's Division 3 Golf Croquet Pennants team exhibited strong team performances in all matches this year, finishing the Brisbane South Region season in first place and progressing to play the Brisbane North Region winner, Windsor, in the final. Windsor players proved to be strong opponents and Windsor won the Pennant, this year.

AGM

Saturday 25 November: By the time this newsletter is published, Wynnum CC will have a new Management committee in place, although we expect the same team to continue the good work!

Merry Christmas to Everyone from Wynnum CC! Here's to a great 2024!

By Mike Fordyce, Wynnum. From the Croquet Newsletter, November/December 2023, pages 31-35.