Phillip Island Croquet Club celebrates its 50th birthday
Recently, the Croquet Club celebrated its 50th birthday from its inception on 21st November 1975. Club President, Lillian Wagstaff, welcomed the Bass Coast Shire Council’s Mayor, Councillor Rochelle Halstead, together with the Club’s own Foundation and Life Member Ruth Mackay, the Acting President of the Gippsland Croquet Association Wilma Freeman, Gerry Kool, Past President of the Wonthaggi Croquet Club and Betty Clissold of the Sale Croquet Club.
Lillian then outlined the history of the Croquet Club where three foundation members (Ruth Mackay, Jean Jamieson and Edie Eddison) began playing croquet on Jean’s front lawn in Cowes. Eventually, with the help of these three ladies and others, a club was formed and named the “Phillip Island Croquet Club” with new members from the local community joining it. With some “badgering” by members, the Council then generously allocated an area in the Blue Gum Reserve Cowes where Club members actively play croquet, both competitively and socially, to this day.
For the past 50 years, the Council has generously assisted the Club and the local community with the setting up of its playing lawns (courts) and its new Pavilion.
Lillian then thanked everyone for coming to the Club’s special 50th birthday celebration and invited them all to partake in “High Tea”.
