Last week, on 26 February Sue Wade cel­ebrated her 80th Birthday and everyoneenjoyed a lovely cake to celebrate at cro­quet. President, Elvy presented Sue withher O.B.E. and wished her fun, laughter,happiness and health for the future.

Aussie Croquet was played on a warmmorning on 15 March and 29 players werein attendance. Some good scores were re­corded on the day with wins of 14/11 and14/13. It was lovely to see Belinda Faceycome down to watch the game and hope­fully we will see Belinda take up the gamein the near future. Mark Toohey also camedown to have a game and will hopefully joinus again soon.

On Tuesday 18 March, Golf Croquetwas played with 32 in attendance. It wasa coolermorning. Three games were won by NoelJolliffe, Kevin Rubie, Peter West and KevinWenning. Well done to those players. Itwas great to see Mark Toohey join us againfor a game.

On 18 March we also held a Generalmeeting with 28 members in attendanceand there were 5 apologies. It was decid­ed at the meeting that we would celebrateWorld Croquet Day on 1 May with a gameof Aussie Croquet and a luncheon to follow.

The luncheon will be held in the shade areaand it should be a nice opportunity to gettogether.

New members Peter Mackay togetherwith Irene and Neil Riley seem to be enjoy­ing the sport.

Our next Birthday luncheon will be heldon 1 April at Isabel’s Place.

By Elvy Quirk

On Saturday 8 March, Aussie Croquet was played with 32 in attendance. It was a cool­er morning, which was a vast difference to the last couple of weeks. Three games were won by Cheryl Toohey and David West. Congratulations to those players.

We again welcomed Glenn Toole who has been visiting his parents Bruce and Ju­dith Toole.

On Tuesday 11 March, Golf Croquet was played with 29 in attendance. It was a warm morning with the croquet lawns in good playing condition.

It was lovely to see Roma Wicks again playing after a lengthy break. Shirley Cham­berlain is fresh back from her overseas trip of about 10 weeks. Shirley enjoyed her trip and no doubt will have many stories to tell.

On 26 February Sue Wade celebrated her 80th birthday and on Tuesday 11 March we had a lovely cake to celebrate.

Forbes Croquet Club will hold a General meeting on Tuesday 18 March, after cro­quet in the shade area. Please make the effort to attend as you may have some fresh ideas to help make the Club more special.

The next birthday luncheon will be held on 1 April at Isabels Place.

If you would like to try the game, come down to Halpins Flat at 8.30am where you will be paired with an experienced player to get to know the game. The cost to learn is $2 for 6 games, then you might like to be­come a member which costs $10 p.a. and $5 per day to play. For enquiries call Elvy Quirk on 0428 540 272.

By Elvy Quirk

Last Saturday, 22 February Aussie Croquet was played with 34 in attendance. It was a warmer morning but everyone seemed to enjoy the game. Visiting once again was Sandra Roberts, Mackenzie, Indi and Evie Thomson. It was lovely to see them back again enjoying a game.

On the day, three games were won by Geoff Coles, John Farah, Elvy Quirk, Kevin Rubie and Neville Spry. Congratulations to those players.

On Tuesday 25 February Golf Croquet was played with 33 in attendance, where it was found to be extremely warm during the third game, nevertheless players enjoyed the morning.

All three games were won by Sue Jolliffe, Elvy Quirk and Bill Scott. Congratulations to those players. A special thank you once again to John Farah who has been bringing his esky with water which is supplied by the Club . A saviour on the hot days.

Our Croquet lawns are in pristine con­dition with the recent watering by John Browne, Allan Jones and May Jones and of course topped up by the recent rain. A very special thank you and as well to the dedi­cated members who help set up each day.

It was lovely to again see Sandra Rob­erts come and once again enjoy a game with us and I am sure that her dad, Vince, enjoys her visits.

Our Seniors Week Open Day will be held on 4 March when Golf Croquet will be played. Should you be interested in trying the game please come down to Halpins Flat at 8.30am on the day and you will be paired with an experienced player to get to know the game. The day is free of charge and a scrumptious morning tea will be served. Croquet is a game for young and old, so we warmly invite you come along and try.

By Elvy Quirk

On Saturday 15 February, Aussie Croquet was played on a much cooler morning with 29 players in attendance.

Some good scores were recorded. There were many 14/10, 14/9 and a 14/7 score also recorded. On the day three games were won by two players, Kevin Rubie and John Browne, congratulations to those players.

On Tuesday 18 February Golf Croquet was played with 37 players in attendance on a much cooler morning. We also made welcome Ann Mackay who has come to join the Club. A huge welcome to Ann and we hope she enjoys the game and the friendship and fellowship of the Club.

We also had two very welcome visitors, Sandra Roberts and Tania Roberts. Sandra hails from New Zealand and is visiting her Dad Vince Roberts. Hopeful they both en­joyed their games.

Some variations of scores were record­ed from 11/2, 9/4, 8/5 and many 7/6: 9/4 scores as well. Three games were won on the day by Russell Anderson, Frank Dono­hoe, Bruce Field, Kevin Rubie, Neville Spry and Kevin Wenning. Congratulations to those players.

A reminder of Seniors week, which com­mences on 3 March. Forbes Croquet Club will again be hosting an Open Day on 4 March whereby we are inviting locals to come and try a game. Visitors will be placed with an experienced player to get to know the ropes of the game. Croquet of­fers a very interesting challenge, requiring hand and eye co-ordination, whilst provid­ing gentle exercise and valuable social in­teraction. Morning tea will be served on the day.

A very special thank you to employees of Forbes Shire Council for attention to detail in mowing and marking our Croquet Lawns.

By Elvy Quirk

Aussie Croquet was played on 8 February on a very warm morning. There were also many 14/10 and 14/9 scores recorded on the day.

Two games on the day were won by John Allegri, John Browne, Phillip Moran, Harley Stewart an David Williams. Congratulations to those players.

Seniors week is on in March with many celebrating during that week. On 4 March Forbes Croquet will be hosting an open day.

Anyone who would like to try a game of cro­quet is invited to come down at 8.30am on the day and you will be paired with an ex­perienced player to get to know the ropes.

On Tuesday 11 February Golf Croquet was played with 34 players in attendance. It was great to see Peter Mackay come down to join us for a game. There were also many 7/6 scores played on the day.

All three games were won by Russell An­derson, Ray Martin, Kevin Rubie and Bill Scott. Croquet is good fun and has a very social aspect with about 70 members in our Forbes Club.

By Elvy Quirk

On Saturday, 1 February Aussie Croquet was played with 30 in attendance. It was a reasonably warm morning but not nearly as hot as last Tuesday when the tempera­ture soared and exceeded 40. Some good scores were once again recorded.

We have a new player on Saturdays with Sally Perry taking up the challenge and getting to know the ropes of the game.

On Saturday, 1 February all three games were won by John Allegri, May Jones and David West. Congratulations to those play­ers. David West is now a regular player on Saturdays and is fast becoming a master at the game. Of course he has youth on his side.

Our monthly luncheon was held on Tues­day, 4 February at the Post Office Ho­tel with many celebrating their birthdays, namely Jill Rubie, Helen Lupis, Pam Thom­son, Sue Waden and Kevin Wenning. Best wishes were extended to all those mem­bers.

Golf Croquet was played on Tuesday, 4 February with 35 players in attendance. It was a very warm morning and John Farah came to the rescue for many players who didn’t bring their water. John came with an esky with many bottles of water. Many thanks John.

All three games were won by Kevin Rubie, Bill Scott, Peter West and Wayne Wright. Wayne is a relatively new player and is now joining the ranks of the winners.

Well done Wayne.

Dominic Williams joined us for a game as he was in town for the launching of a book he has recently written. Best wishes on the launch of your book Dom. Croquet is played Tuesday and Saturday each week.

By Elvy Quirk

On Saturday 25 January Aussie Croquet was played with 27 in attendance. Many good scores were recorded. Including one runaway score – May Jones (Solo) def Ros Rennick and Robin Pols, 14/13.

It was lovely to see Joan Littlejohn and Ros Rennick back playing after a break away.

Cherylin Cole still remains hospitalised, as she has been for some weeks however there is better news on the horizon as she is able to have some gate leave and hopefully her operation early. February will see a big improvement so that she can get back to a normal way of life. Best wishes Cherylin.

On Tuesday 28 January Golf Croquet was played with only 27 in attendance and it was thought due to the very hot day.

There were only a couple of runaway scores recorded. 10/3 John Farah and John Allegri def Helen Lupis and Sue Jolliffe, Kevin Rubie and Peter West def Marie Spry and Bruce Field.

It was lovely to see Sally Perry grace the croquet lawns again after a hip replacement which went really well. Well done Sally and so pleased to see you back playing.

By Elvy Quirk

On Saturday 14 December, it was a very warm morning and Aussie Croquet was played with 27 in attendance. All three games were won by May Jones, Elvy Quirk, Kevin Rubie and David West whilst two games were won by John Allegri, Geoff Coles, Ray Burridge and Kevin Wenning. Kevin is already showing his style as he is relatively new to the game.

Scores recorded as follows for 14/13, Geoff Coles and Ray Burridge def Joan Littlejohn and Cheryl Toohey, John Allegri and Allan Jones def Fay Picker and Russell Anderson, Barry White and Geoff Coles def John Cole and Bill Scott, John Farah and John Cole def Bill Scott and Kevin Wenning, Lyn Simmonds and John Browne def Allan Jones and Fay Picker.

14/12 scores as follows, Elvy Quirk (solo) def John Browne and Noel Jolliffe, Elvy Quirk and Carolyn Neilsen def Phillip Moran and Lyn Simmonds, Phillip Moran and John Allegri def Noel Jolliffe (solo) May Jones and Kevin Wenning def Ray Burridge and Peter West.

14/11 scores recorded by Fay Picker and Marie Spry def John Browne and Russell Anderson, Elvy Quirk and Kevin Rubie def John Farah and Marie Spry, May Jones and David West def Joan Littlejohn and Peter West.

14/10 scoring was by Kevin Wenning and Kevin Rubie def Colleen Liebich and Lyn Simmonds, May Jones and David West def Marie Spry and Harley Stewart, David West (solo) def Robin Pols and John Cole.

14/9 scoring as follows, Frank Donohoe and Peter West def Carolyn Neilsen and Robin Pols, Kevin Rubie and Noel Jolliffe def Geoff Coles and Allan Jones.

Forbes Croquet Club members would like to extend their best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of the Forbes community. Take care and stay safe over the holiday period.

By Elvy Quirk

Aussie Croquet was again, unfortunately washed out on Saturday 7 December.

Golf Croquet was played on Tuesday 10 December with 34 in attendance. Scores as follows: 10/3 recorded by Lyn Sim­monds and John Farah def John Job and Neil Hawke, May Jones and Peter West def Marie Spry and John Farah.

9/4 scores as follows: Lyall Strudwick and John Job def Colleen Liebich and Barry White, Geoff Coles and Pam Thom­son def Robin Pols and Russell Anderson, John Farah amd Frank Donohoe def Caro­lyn Neilsen and Sue Jolliffe, John Browne (Solo) def Wayne Wright (Solo), Bill Scott and Fay Picker def Robin Pols and Pam Thomson.

Further 8/5 scores were recorded, of which there were many: Elvy Quirk and Kevin Rubie def May Jones and Neil Hawke, Kevin Wenning and John Cole def Jill Cripps and Sue Wade, Noel Jolliffe and Mal Smith def Peter West and Bill Scott, Ray Burridge and Lyn Simmonds def Ray Martin and Fay Picker, Merv Langfield and Allan Jones def Marie Spry and Phillip Mo­ran, Allan Jones and Wayne Wright def Kevin Rubie and Sue Wade, John Browne and Elvy Quirk def Kevin Wenning and John Cole, Carolyn Neilsen and Colleen Liebich def May Jones and Merv Langfield, Ray Martin and Sue Jolliffe def Peter West and Jill Cripps, John Job and Mal Smith def Noel Jolliffe and Unknown, Barry White and Sue Jolliffe def Jill Cripps and Merv Langfield, John Browne and Fay Picker def Ray Burridge and Neil Hawke, Ray Martin and Bill Scott def Lyn Simmonds and Kevin Wenning.

The Croquet Club Christmas luncheon and prizegiving will be held at the Van­denberg Hotel on Tuesday 17 December, 12pm arrival for serving at 12.30pm.

The last game for the year will be on Sat­urday 14 December. Forbes Croquet Club extend appreciation to Forbes Shire Coun­cil for their care of the Croquet lawns.

By Elvy Quirk

On Saturday 16th November a very gusty, windy morning, Aussie Croquet was played with a small number of 25 players, howev­er some good scores were once again re­corded. All three games were won by Kevin Rubie and David West.

Golf Croquet was played on 19th No­vember on rather a warm day, once again with a good number in attendance. Three games were won by John Cole, John Fa­rah, Mal Smith and May Jones.

Our Croquet lawns are looking good af­ter the extra watering given, as well as the lovely fall of rain.

A special thank you to the workers of Forbes Shire Council who tend to the mow­ing and marking of our lawns. A great job, well done.

Forbes Croquet Club members extend their deepest sympathy to Bruce Toole one of our valued members who recently lost his son, Neil. To you Bruce, and to your family our thoughts are with you.

The Christmas season is almost with us and we are having a luncheon in the shade area on 10th December after play. Our spe­cial Christmas luncheon and prizegiving day will be held on Tuesday 17th Decem­ber at the Vandenberg Hotel, 12 pm.

The last day of play for 2024 will be 14th December with play to resume on 7th Jan­uary 2025.

Croquet is a sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels, and it provides a great opportunity for socialising and spending time outdoors. Whilst Golf Croquet is the easiest to learn, Aussie Cro­quet on Saturday does have more tactical play, but it is not difficult to learn.

By Elvy Quirk