2024-10-17

Portland’s ‘come and try day’ on October 16

Portland’s ‘come and try day’ on October 16.  The day was very successful with 22 interested people turning up.

The weather was perfect as well.  Most people are very interested to keep coming back to try croquet.

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2024-10-06

EMCA Bear Cup 2024

In the year 2000 the first Bear Cup Challenge was held at Kew Croquet Club. To have a competitive challenge, it was necessary to have a trophy and so the BEAR CUP trophy was born.

The making of this trophy was a combined effort, Les (Lilydale) provided the red gum base, Esther (Kew) finding the cup in an op-shop, Nance (Kew) finding the bear and fitting him out, finally Rudi (Kew) making the miniature croquet mallet. Later, Jill Johnstone (Kew) made the mat he rests on. The colours representing the clubs involved in the challenge.

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Inaugural Howlong handicap double tournament

The Tournament was held at the magnificent Howlong Golf Resort Croquet Club with the newly resurfaced courts looking great for the two day event.

Participants came from 18 clubs throughout  Victoria, from as far afield as Mildura to Phillip Island and Sale.

Although the days prior to the Tournament produced significant rain, the two days of the tournament were held in perfect conditions, with blue sky and sunshine throughout.

It was played in three blocks with the winners of each block plus the next best playing off in the semi-finals and finals.

Games were played in a wonderful spirit and some very close games were played.

There were a few hiccoughs during the first day, to be expected when running our first tournament.  However they were not major and did not disrupt the play or the pleasure of the two days.

After the two semi-finals were played, the final game was a contest between Andy Barbero and Maureen O’Keefe of Wangarratta, and John Durieux and Susanne Nielsen of Howlong.

John and Susanne were eventually crowned as the winners of the Inaugural Howlong Handicap Doubles Tournament.

A big thank you to the members of the Howlong Croquet Club for all the work they put into it, and their support on the two days to make this a success. Our Superintendent did a wonderful job in preparing the courts and they were in exceptional condition. Rain just prior to the tournament prevented him from mowing once more so the courts were slower than we had hoped.

The management and staff of the Howlong Golf Resort were very supportive of our initiative, and without that support I am sure the tournament might not have eventuated.

We plan on holding another Handicap Doubles Tournament in October 2025 and look forward to many players returning.

 Rod Bensley

Tournament Manager

Howlong Croquet Club

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2024-10-19

Lilydale Croquet Club 130^th Celebration      Saturday 19 Oct 2024

 Lilydale CC celebrated 130 years on Sat 19 October. In attendance was the Federal Member for Casey, Aaron Violi, the State member for Evelyn Bridget Vallence, the VCA President Kate Patrick, representatives from the 5 other EMCA Clubs and members of Lilydale CC.

The Governor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, who is the Patron of Croquet Victoria, was unable to attend due to previous commitments, but sent her apologies. All attendees were presented with a specially made commemorative badge as a memento for this milestone occasion.

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2024-10-29

Vale Owen Edwards

We have lost a stalwart of croquet.

Owen Edwards died peacefully on Tuesday 29 October 2024, aged almost 93. 

His funeral will take place at Le Pine's, 81 Upper Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe, at 10 am on Thursday 7 November. Croquet friends of Owen are most welcome. Please advise Owen's son Russell if you are coming - russell@ease.com.au. 

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