Yuni Rowell claims the Gibson Medal at McIlwraith

McIlwraith Croquet Club hosted the 2026 Gibson Memorial Medal over the weekend of 1–2 August.

Yuni Rowell (Coolangatta) took the title, beating Heather Knight (Stephens) 26–16 in the Championship final.

Rowell went through the whole weekend unbeaten: a clean sweep of Block A, then wins over Sarah Widin, Greg Whymark and Knight in the knockout.

Greg Bury (Windsor) took third, beating fellow semi-finalist Greg Whymark (Bribie Island) 26–0 in the playoff.

Presentation of the Gibson Medal at McIlwraith (The Gibson Medal presented by CAQ President John van Barneveld to winner Yuni Rowell, on the lawn at McIlwraith. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club)

*The Gibson Medal presented by CAQ President John van Barneveld to winner Yuni Rowell, on the lawn at McIlwraith. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club*

In the Consolation event, Gordon Cooper (Bundaberg) won a tight final 19–13 over Bruce Ford (Stephens), having come through Donna Manning in the semi.

### How the weekend played out

Four six-player blocks on Saturday divided players into an eight-player Championship knockout and an eight-player Consolation knockout.

Block D was the tightest of the four: Heather Knight and Addison Matthews (Laurel Bank) battled it out in the round robin proper before Knight edged the block outright, meanwhile Greg Bury's 26tp win over Sarah Widin in Block B. Greg's triple peel was the performance of the group stage.

Rowell's run through the Championship was dominant: 26–4 over Widin in the quarter-final, 25–16 over Whymark in the semi, then 26–16 over Knight in the final. Knight's path went through Addison Matthews 26–8 in the quarter-final, then a tighter 21–20 win over Greg Bury in the semi.

Runner-up Heather Knight and John van Barneveld (Runner-up Heather Knight and CAQ President John van Barneveld. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club)

*Runner-up Heather Knight and CAQ President John van Barneveld. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club*

In the Consolation, Cooper's played excellent croquet, defeating Willy Silk (26–14), Donna Manning (21–17) and finally Ford (19–13) in the final. Ford had defeated Casey De-Vene and Rosemary Newsham on the other side of the draw.

Consolation winner Gordon Cooper and President John van Barneveld (Consolation winner Gordon Cooper and President John van Barneveld. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club)

*Consolation winner Gordon Cooper and President John van Barneveld. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club*

A sincere thank you from McIlwraith to the tournament organisers, referees, competitors, spectators, lawn maintenance team and club members who made the weekend possible: Referee Greg Kerswell, Umpire Helen David, Referee in Training Brian Rubock, Umpire Wallace Roy, Tournament Referee Willy Silk, Referee on Appeal Greg Whymark, Events Coordinator Geraldine Trivett and Tournament Manager Andrew Cole.

Trophies were presented by Croquet Queensland President John van Barneveld.

Consolation runner-up Bruce Ford and President John van Barneveld (Consolation runner-up Bruce Ford and President John van Barneveld. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club)

*Consolation runner-up Bruce Ford and President John van Barneveld. Photo: McIlwraith Croquet Club*

Now in its 63rd year, the Gibson Medal honours Mrs J. Gibson, who served as President of Windsor, of the Queensland Croquet Association and of the Australian Croquet Council, and who was widely admired for her Red Cross fundraising during World War II. The championship was established in her memory in 1958, following a donation from her husband.

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Full results

Championship: 1st Yuni Rowell (Coolangatta) · 2nd Heather Knight (Stephens) · 3rd Greg Bury (Windsor) · 4th Greg Whymark (Bribie Island) · 5th Keith Williamson (Eildon) · 6th Lindsay David (Stephens) · 7th Addison Matthews (Laurel Bank) · 8th Sarah Widin (The Range Maleny)

Consolation: 1st Gordon Cooper (Bundaberg) · 2nd Bruce Ford (Stephens) · 3rd Donna Manning (The Range Maleny) · 4th Rosemary Newsham (Stephens) · 5th Jacky Lynch (Stephens) · 6th Casey De-Vene (Eildon) · 7th Willy Silk (Windsor) · 8th Terry Kearney (Toowoomba)