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

Aussie Croquet was played on Saturday 9th November on a lovely, not too warm morning and all who attended enjoyed the game and the social catch up. Once again Catriona Hunt (Robin Pols daughter) came to have a game with us.

On the day, two games won by John Browne, John Cole, Frank Donohoe, Caro­lyn Neilsen, Fay Picker, Robin Pols, Elvy Quirk, Vince Roberts, Kevin Rubie and Pe­ter West. Well done to those players.

All three games were won by David West and May Jones. David is now showing his style at winning and of course youth is be­hind him. We hope David can encourage some other younger players to come along as we would like to see some more young people join in.

Our past player Bob Murray is not too well at present, but we hope to see him back soon enjoying a cuppa with us. Cher­ylin Cole is at present a patient in Orange Hospital and hopefully it will not be too long before we see her up and about again.

Last week our most senior member Bruce Field celebrated his 97th Birthday.

Congratulations to Bruce who still shows his style on the Croquet lawns.

President Elvy laid a wreath on Remem­brance Day on behalf of Forbes Croquet Club. The wreath was capably made by John Browne – a special thanks to John.

Our monthly luncheon was held at the Forbes Sportsmans Hotel on Tuesday 12th November where all birthdays for Novem­ber were celebrated.

Our new summer start time is 9am with arrival by 8.45am to get names in the draw.

Our Christmas celebrations are coming around fast and our special Christmas luncheon and prize giving is being held at the Vandenberg Hotel on 17th December, so please put that date on your calendar.

By Elvy Quirk

Aussie Croquet was played on Saturday 2nd November on a warm morning. All three games were won by just one player, May Jones whilst two games were won by Russell Anderson, Bruce Field, John Job, Noel Jolliffe, Fay Picker, Elvy Quirk, Vince Roberts, Rex Toole and David West.

Aussie Croquet is fast becoming popular as it is much more challenging than Golf Croquet.

Golf Croquet was played on 5th Novem­ber and it was a very warm morning, even though we got off to an earlier start at 9am.

Melbourne Cup sweeps were the order of the day with many taking part.

All three games were won by John Browne, Ray Burridge and Rex Toole. John Browne is yet again showing form after his recent back surgery.

Starting time for the summer season is now 9am with arrival at 8.45am to get your names into the draw. The bi-monthly lunch­eon is to be held at the Forbes Sportsman Hotel (Golf Club) next Tuesday, 12th No­vember with arrival at 12pm for 12.30pm serving.

The Christmas season is just around the corner with arrangements already made at the Croquet Club, but will be published later when closer to the time.

Playing Croquet is a gentle form of exer­cise, helps with hand and eye co-ordination and a very social aspect. Should you wish to try the game come down to Halpins Flat at 8.45am on a Tuesday and you will be teamed up with an experienced player to get to know the ropes. Flat soled shoes are needed. Mallets are available to use.

By Elvy Quirk

Thoughts at the Forbes Croquet Club turn to our amazing Scorekeeper and Publicity Officer, Tony Thomson, who unfortunately passed away last Wednesday night. Tony will be long remembered by our Croquet Club as a well respected and caring mem­ber as he so dutifully kept score sheets and delivered the news to the local papers.

Although Tony’s illness over the past few months slowed him down he was such an inspiration playing croquet with us only the week before his untimely passing.

To Pam and her lovely family, members of the Forbes Croquet Club extend to you all our deepest sympathy and our thoughts are with you all as you try to come to terms with the loss of a much loved family man.

As a mark of respect last Saturday Cro­quet players wore Black armbands in hon­our of Tony and stood in silence to remem­ber him. Tony may you Rest in Peace after a “life well lived”.

Aussie Croquet was played on Saturday 26th October and it was so lovely to have the Thomson Grandchildren join us for a game together with a friend Abey Downes.

Please note the new starting time as from Saturday 2nd November will be 9am.

Our Birthday Luncheon will be held at the Forbes Sportsman Hotel (Golf Club) on Tuesday 12th November and your names need to be recorded asap.

By Elvy Quirk

Aussie Croquet on Saturday 5th October saw 31 players attend. There were three players that won three games – Kevin Ru­bie, Lyn Simmonds and Neville Spry. The big winners on the day were 14 – 8 John Fa­rah, 14 – 9 Neville Spry and Lyn Simmonds.

The mid-winners of 14 – 10 included Kevin Rubie and Geoff Coles, Robin Pols and Barry White, Vince Roberts and David Williams.

It was another nice morning for Golf Cro­quet on 8th October. There was a larger than normal number of players to win three games, including Bruce Field, Noel Joliffe, Kevin Rubie, Bill Scott, Mal Smith, Neville Spry, Rex Toole and a new player who only just started, Kevin Wenning.

The big winners on the day were 11 – 2 Rex Toole and Frank Donohoe and 10 – 3 Peter West and Ray Martin, Allan Jones and Bruce Field.

The mid-winners of 9 – 4 included Neville Spry and Geoff Coles, Sherly Chamberlin and Bill Scott, Robin Pols and Barry White, Rex Toole and Enid Baker, John Job and Mal Smith, Alan Jones and Bruce Field, Wayne Wright and Noel Jolliffe.

Come down to Halpins flat on a Tuesday morning by 9.15am to get your name put into the draw for a 9.30am start.

That’s it until next week.

By Pegging Out

We had 29 players for Aussie Croquet on a nice warm morning on Saturday 28th. There were 3 players that managed to win three games, Phillip Moran, Kevin Rubie, and Neville Spry.

The big winners on the day were: 14 – 8 Harley Stewart and Neville Spry, John Al­legri and Phillip Moran, John Browne and Kevin Wenning.

The mid winners were: 14 – 10 Carolyn Neilsen and Kevin Rubie, John Farah and Fay Picker, Neville Spry and David West, Kevin Rubie and Ros Rennick, Bruce Field, Robin Pols and John Cole.

We had 39 players for Golf Croquet on a warmer morning on 1st October. We had 2 visitors Olivia Hunt and Dick.

There were four players who managed three wins Noel Jolliffe, Barry White, Geoff Coles and a new player and first time winner Pammie Thomson.

The big winner on the day was 10 – 3 John Farah and Noel Jolliffe. MID WINNERS9 – 4 John Browne and Lyn Simmonds, Bar­ry White and Noel Jolliffe, John Allegri and Phillip Moran, Lyall Strudwick and Pammie Thomson, Margret Dent and Robin Pols.

PLEASE NOTE The annual general meet­ing to be held on Tuesday 8th has been postpone to a later date.

By Pegging Out

On Tuesday 24th September Forbes Cro­quet Club celebrated their 12th anniversary at the present site, and unveiled the Honour Board.

President Elvy, welcomed Sue-Maree Radawyetz and her husband Peter, mem­bers, past members, Councillors and Spon­sor Kevin Gunn and acknowledged an apol­ogy from Mayor Phyllis Miller and Colleen Gunn our joint sponsor.

The late Keith Crokers daughter Sue-Ma­ree Radawyetz together with past President John Cole was given the privilege of unveil­ing the Honour Board. Our longest serving member, Robin Pols together with Bruce Field, our most mature member, were given the honor of cutting the Anniversary cake.

The Honour Board makes note of when the first game of croquet was played at the present site and of the Presidents who have served since establishing the Croquet lawns at Halpins Flat.

The late Keith and Dorothea Croker saw the need for establishing a new croquet play area and it was then in 2011 they start­ed looking for a suitable site. Forbes Shire Council was approached to see if there was a suitable site and the late Ron Penny who was a Councillor at the time investigated various options and settled on Halpins Flat as a potential site.

With that in mind Keith Croker (who was President at the time) made representations to the Council and eventually was given permission to go ahead and plan the site.

The site was acquired and the first game of Croquet was played there on 29th May 2012. There were approximately 20 mem­bers at that time, membership now stands at around 70.

After the passing of Keith Croker in 2012, John Cole was elected President and con­tinued in that role until Elvy Quirk was elect­ed in September 2017. Elvy has held that position ever since.

By Elvy Quirk

We had 26 players come along and enjoy Aussie Croquet on a very nice sunny morn­ing on Saturday 7th September. There were only two players who managed to win three games: Allan Jones and John Allegri. The big winners on the day were 14-9 John Al­legri and Allan Jones.

The mid winners on the day were:

• 14-10 Kevin Rubie and Joan Littlejohn, Neville Spry and John Farah, Vince Rob­erts and John Job.

• 14-11 Colleen Liebich and John Farah, Enid Baker and Allan Jones, Colleen Liebich an Allan Jones.

A very sunny warm morning on Tuesday 10th September, saw 42 players ready to get started. There were five players who managed to win three games: John Allegri, Phillip Moran, Vince Roberts, Male Smith and Robin Pols.

The big winners on the day were: 11-2 Rex Toole and Noel Jolliffe, 10-3 John Fa­rah and Enid Baker.

The mid winners on the day were: 9-4 Bruce Field and Peter West, Merv Langfield and Mal Smith, John Allegri, Frank Dono­hoe and Pam Thomson, Kevin Rubie and Wayne Wright, John Job and Mal Smith, Russell Anderson and Noel Jolliffe, Frank Donohoe and Sue Wade.

Croquet is a sport for young and old and should you be interested in trying a game, come down to Halpins flat on a Tuesday morning by 9.15am to get your name into the draw for a 9.30am start. Only $5 to play which includes morning cuppa and $20 to join the club. Croquet was first played in England in the early 1900 and is a game of skill, great for hand and eye co-ordination and that gentle exercise regime. The social atmosphere is amazing. Enquiries can be made by calling 0428 540 272

By Pegging Out