One hundred and one year old Kath Hutch­ison has been deemed an Honorary Mem­ber of Parkes Croquet Club.

When Beth Thomas of the Parkes Cro­quet Club called around to present Kath with the news, she noted that Kath was keeping busy, having just made date rolls for the Holy Family street stall, and a plum pudding for a friend who was having a fami­ly reunion. Plus she was preparing lunch for her son, Michael, who was coming to visit.

Kath has been a member since Parkes Croquet began playing at Parkes Tennis Club just over 3 years ago. At 101 Kath still plays occasionally and the members all love to see her turn up. The thing she enjoys the most is the friendships. “All the people who play are lovely and welcoming,” Kath said.

Kath was very touched to receive her honorary membership certificate. She said she felt thrilled to bits. “It’s just lovely.”

Kath recounted that her 100th Birthday last year was a wonderful day, with a beau­tiful Croquet themed birthday cake and cel­ebration.

“All the croquet members attended as well as my son, Michael and daughter, Sherree Rosser. At 101 it’s so good to still be able to enjoy sport, and it’s special to be able to play alongside my daughter, Sher­ree.”

Kath said her secret to her youthful lon­gevity is to: “‘Keep active and involved. Get yourself out and work and don’t sit around whinging. When you keep busy you have no time to worry or whinge.

“I’ve never had time to think about getting old. My husband Keith and I always worked hard. We also brought up two lovely chil­dren and spent 30 enjoyable years of cara­vanning, including a few times around Aus­tralia. I’ve always kept busy and active and I have always enjoyed such a wonderful life.”

On Saturday 11 October Aussie Croquet was played with an attendance of 33 play­ers. It was a very warm morning and all enjoyed the game. On Saturday we also welcomed Howard Hawke who enjoyed his first game of croquet. There were close scores of 14/13 when Geoff Coles and Har­ley Stewart trailed Kevin Rubie and Frank Donohoe, likewise John Browne and May Jones were behind to Tony Bernardi and John Farah. Congratulations to all the win­ners on the day.

Golf Croquet was played on Tuesday 14 October with only a small number in attendance. Some close scores were re­corded on the day in addition to a runaway score. Recorded was a massive win for Peter West playing solo when he defeated Ray Martin and David Nock. On the day all three games were won by Bill Scott, Allan Jones, Sue Jolliffe, Rex Toole, Geoff Coles, Ray Burridge, Graham Falconer, Peter West and Kevin Rubie.

It was good to see David West come and enjoy a game of Golf Croquet as he normally is only able to play on Saturdays.

Croquet must have taken precedence over work commitments. Congratulations to all of our winners on the day.

Just a reminder, the Forbes Croquet Club General meeting will be held on Tues­day 21 October after play in the shade area. Members be sure to attend so that you have a say in who is looking after your Club for the next year. All positions are de­clared vacant.

The upcoming Christmas and holiday ar­rangements have been discussed by the Committee at a recent meeting and the dates and places are displayed for viewing on the notice board at the Club.

By Elvy Quirk

Aussie croquet was played on Saturday 12 July with only a small number in attend­ance, however those who played enjoyed the game.

We welcomed back John Allegri who has been on an extended stay overseas due to becoming ill there, however he is home and slowly recovering and was great to see his return to croquet. Tony Bernardi has joined our croquet club and is enjoying a game and the social aspect.

Our valued member Fay Picker has had knee reconstructions and is progressing fa­vourably. Fay called in on Saturday to say hello and we hope it won’t be long before she is back for a game. Best wishes Fay.

Three games on 12 July were won by Noel Jolliffe and Kevin Rubie.

Seniors are catered for on Monday nights at the Vandenberg Hotel with half price meals.

Sadly the Post Office Hotel will close its doors on 13 July and the town is in mourn­ing for what has been a popular place for locals. Forbes Croquet Club has enjoyed bi-monthly luncheons there on occasions and the food was most enjoyable. Thank you to the excellent staff.

By Elvy Quirk
FCC President

World Croquet Day was celebrated by the Forbes Croquet Club on Thursday 1 May 2025, with 30 in attendance. All who at­tended enjoyed the fun games that had been organised including Circle in a Circle and Knock a Dolly. Everyone enjoyed the atmosphere, the fun and laughter was evi­dent as many tried their luck at the special games with some minor prizes awarded.

Aussie Croquet was also played on the day before before finishing with a light lunch in the shade area, catered for by Pe­ter Ashcroft. A cake depicting World Cro­quet Day was also cut by the longest serv­ing member of the Forbes Croqut Club, Robin Pols.

President, Elvy gave a brief outline on the introduction of worldwide Croquet and a short history of when Croquet began in Forbes.

On Saturday 3 May Aussie Croquet was played with a small number in attendance.

All three games were won by John Browne, Elvy Quirk and Peter West, whilst two games were won by Noel Jolliffe, Colleen Liebich, Robin Pols, Kevin Rubie, Harley Stewart, Cheryl Toohey and Barry White.

There were many good scores on the day of 1 4/13, 14/12, 14/11 and 14/10. Well done to all those who won.

As usual, Golf Croquet was played on Tuesday 6 May with only a small number in attendance. 28 players took to the field.

All three games on the day were won by Ray Martin, Kevin Rubie anf Peter West.

Well done to those players. On the day, two games were won by Russell Ander­son, Graham Falconer, Frank Donohoe, John Farah, Colleen Liebich, Fay Picker, Elvy Quirk, Bill Scott, Rex Toole and Barry White. Also congratulations to those play­ers. On the day there were many good scores recorded, 11/2, 10/3, 9/4 and 8/5.

By Elvy Quirk

Sadly last week we said a final goodbye to one of our very valued members. Bruce Field passed away in the Forbes Hospital last Wednesday. He was 97 years of age and lived a very full life.

Bruce joined the Croquet Club in 2009 and he quickly became an accomplished player. He and his late wife Lorna became involved in the sport and both Bruce and Lorna played an active role. Bruce could be seen marking the croquet lawns, mow­ing and being the general odd-job man – the very reason Bruce was awarded Life Membership of the Club in 2017. His quick sense of humour always prevailed and it was unusual to hear Bruce complain as he always valued the companionship of others at Croquet. We will miss seeing his smiling face and to the family, the Executive and members of the Croquet Club extend their deepest sympathy.

In other news, on Anzac Day a wreath was laid for and on behalf of the Croquet Club by President Elvy. We celebrated World Croquet Day on Thursday 1 May with a game and a light lunch.

By Elvy Quirk

On Saturday 5 April Aussie croquet was played with 28 in attendance. It was a cool start, but a very pleasant morning.

Three games were won by Elvy Quirk, Lyn Simmonds, Marie Spry and David West. Whilst two games were won by Col­leen Liebich, Robin Pols, Vince Roberts, Kevin Rubie, Cheryl Toohey, Rex Toole, Kevin Wenning and Peter West.

Golf croquet was played on Tuesday 8 April with 39 players in attendance. Three games were won by John Browne, Sally Perry, Fay Picker, Elvy Quirk, Vince Rob­erts, Lyn Simmonds and Rex Toole. Whilst two games winners included John Farah, Allan Jones, Noel Jolliffe, Ray Martin, Rob­in Pols, Mal Smith, Lyall Strudwick, Peter West and Kevin Wenning. Congratulations to all of these players.

Robin Pols is our longest serving mem­ber and still plays a great game. Well done.

On Thursday 1 May the Forbes Croquet Club will be hosting a special day of croquet to celebrate World Croquet Day. There will be some fun games on the day, along with prizes and a light lunch will be served in the shade area after play. Everyone is wel­come to come along.

By Elvy Quirk
President, Forbes Croquet Club

Everyone is invited to join the Forbes Cro­quet Club in celebrating World Croquet Day on 1 May with a special morning of Aus­sie Croquet followed by a light lunch in the shade area. Should there be some players who have not played Aussie Croquet and wish to play Golf Croquet on the day they will certainly be catered for.

Of course daylight savings finished on Sunday 6 April and we put our clocks back one hour but Croquet will still start at 9am with 8.45am arrival until the days get much cooler and then we will alter the time so as the members who set up certainly will not need to come as early.

Any members who feel they would like to help set up please come down at 8am, your help would be much appreciated as some of us that have been setting up for many years are getting to a mature age where we don’t bounce around like we used to.

Croquet is a game for young and old.

Age is no barrier. “Croquet players are happy people.”

By Elvy Quirk

Aussie Croquet was played on Saturday 29 March, with 31 in attendance. A deci­sion made earlier to play well and truly paid off, as the rain which was needed sadly did not arrive. We once again had two visitors: namely Suzanne Theuns and Glenn Toole.

Glenn has visited and played quite a few times before and is now getting quite smart at the game.

Golf Croquet was played on Tuesday 1 April, with 41 players in attendance on what was a very pleasant morning.

To start the morning President, Elvy caught all forty players out with an April Fools Day story that was told so well, she had all of them believing! They were all quite relieved when she finally admitted it was an April Fools story.

Visitors on the day were Suzanne Theuns and Belinda Facey. Belinda had her first try at croquet and is already showing promise.

On Tuesday, we again held our bi-month­ly luncheon at Isabels Place where the food was absolutely delightful with all choosing their own. We again celebrated birthdays for the month of April and those celebrat­ing were John Allegri, Mal Smith and Robin Pols. Best wishes to all.

Once again, a reminder that we are cel­ebrating World Croquet Day on Thursday 1 May when we will play Aussie Croquet followed by a light lunch in the shade area.

Croquet is a game for young and old, age is no barrier. If you would like to try the game, come down on a Tuesday at 8.30am and you will be placed with an experienced player to get to know the ins and outs of the game. There are mallets you can borrow.

The cost is $5 to play, and membership is $20, which includes morning tea.

By Elvy Quirk

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