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

A very windy morning on Saturday 24th Au­gust made it hard to stand up and keep your feet, however, there were 33 players who managed to stay on their feet. We had three visitors, Claudia Green, granddaughter of David Williams, and Jamie and India Thom­son, who have been a few times before.

There were four winners of three games, Enid Barker, Noel Jollliffe, Vince Roberts and Kevin Rubie. Big winners on the day were 14-7 Marie Spry and Keven Rubie and 14-8 John Browne and Vince Roberts.

The mid winners included 14-10 Robin Pols and Allan Jones, Peter West, Kevin Rubie and Joan Littlejohn, Allan Jones, Elvy Quirk and Jamie Thomson, Barry White and David West, John Farah, Elvy Quirk and Pe­ter West, Jamie and Pam Thomson, John Browne and Vince Roberts, John Farah.

Results from other games were:

• Noel Jolliffe and Fay Picker 14, Pam and Jamie Thomson 13

• Rex Toole and Phillip Moran 14, Fay Picker and Carolin Neilsen 13

• Bruce Field 14, Russell Anderson and Phillip Moran 11

• Marie Spry and David Williams 14, John Farah and Rex Toole 11

• Lyn Simmonds and Enid Baker 14, David Williams and Claudia Green 11

• Barry White and Cheryle Toohey 14, Tony and India Thomson 11

• Enid Baker and John Farah 14, Neville Spry and Colleen Liebich 11

• Kevin Rubie and Phillip Moran 14, Cher­yle Toohey and Fay Picker 11

• Frank Donohoe and Vince Roberts 14, Claudia Green and David Williams 11

• May Jones and Noel Jolliffe 14, Peter West and Rex Toole 11

• Neville Spry an Noel Jolliffe 14, Allan Jones and Russell Anderson 11

• Merv Langfield and Bruce Field 14, Cher­yle Toohey and Fay Picker 11

There were 32 players for Aussie Croquet on Saturday 6th July. Three new visitors included Pam and Tony Thompson’s son Brian, and grandchildren Henry and Evie.

Four players managed to win three games, John Browne, John Farah, Noel Jol­liffe and another newer player David West.

The big winners were 14-8 Brian and Tony Thomson, Peter and David West.

The mid winners included:

• 14-9 John Farah and Colleen Liebich, Noel Jolliffe and Colleen Liebich, May Jones and John Browne, Bill Scott and Noel Jolliffe.

• 14-10 Robin Pols and May Jones, John Browne and Marie Spry, Cheryle Toohey and Peter West, John Browne and Robin Pols, Cheryle Toohey and Peter West.

There were 32 Players for Golf Croquet on Tuesday 9th July. There were three players who had three wins, Noel Jolliffe, Elvy Quirk and Fay Picker. The big winners were:

• 11-2 John Farah and Frank Donohoe

• 10-3 Elvy Quirk and Lyall StrudwickThe mid winners included:

• 9-4 Allan Jones and Fay Picker, Enid Baker, Bill Scott and Sue Jolliffe, Ray Martin and Bruce Field.

By Pegging Out

We had 30 players for Aussie Croquet on 29th June. There were three players that managed to win three games, John Allegri, Phillip Moran and Elvy Quirk. The big win­ners were: 14-8 Joan Littlejohn and John Allegri. The mid winners were: 14-9 Kevin Rubie, John Farah and Noel Jolliffe. 14-10 John Browne and Dorelle Scott, Phillip Mo­ran, John Cole and Barry White, Colleen Liebich, Kevin Rubie, Vince Roberts and Frank Donohoe.

On Tuesday 2nd July, we had a record number of 43 players compete, as the play­ers that are turning up are enjoying the game and friendship. We once again welcomed Robin Pols daughter and grandaughter, Catrina and Oliver Hunt, and James, the gradndson of Pam and Tony Thomson.

There were six players that won three games: Geoff Coles, Noel Jolliffe, Colleen Liebich, Kevin Rubie, Mal Smith and Robin Pols (how does she keep doing it!). The big winners were 10-3 Mal Smith, Robin Pols and Oliver Hunt. The mid winners were 9-4 Kevin Rubie and Pam Thomson, Robin Pols and Oliver Hunt, Noel Jolliffe, John Farah and John Cole, Iren Ford and Peter West, Colleen Liebich and Geoff Coles.

By Pegging Out

On Tuesday 25th June, golf croquet was played with 40 players in attendance.

Three games won by John Farah, Noel Jolliffe, Colleen Liebich and Vince Roberts.

Good to see Vince has the reins now and much improved. He sure enjoys his croquet.

John Farah, fresh back from a break away, has won all three games on all four of his last outings. Think this would be another record broken.

Also we have had many husband and wife combinations playing croquet but think we have another record with three members of the one family playing, namely Enid Baker, Rex Toole and Bruce Toole.

Scores recorded 11/2 John Browne & John Farah, 10/3 Merv Langfield & Fay Picker, Rex Toole & Enid Baker, Lyall Strudwick & Bill Scott.

9/4 Sue Wade & Mal Smith, John Farah & Allan Jones, Robin Pols & Marie Spry, Frank Donohoe & Bruce Field 8/5 Rex Toole & Lynn Simmonds, Russell Anderson & John Farah, Vince Roberts & Peter West, Jill Cripps & Neil Gilmour, Noel Jolliffe & Alister Lockhart, John Allegri & Lyall Strudwick, Kevin Rubie & Vince Roberts, Vince Roberts & Mal Smith, John Cole & Allan Jones.

Many 7/6 scores were also recorded.

Great to see Sue Wade & Jill Cripps coming up in the winning circles as they are relatively new to the game. Well done girls.Aussie croquet was played on Saturday June 22nd. Foggy conditions prevailed but did not deter 33 very keen players.

Birthdays for July are Helen Spry, Sue Jolliffe, Margaret Dent and David Williams.

Happy birthday to those members.

That’s all the croquet news that we have for now. With six playing courts at Halpins Flat, we play golf croquet every Tuesday.

You are asked to arrive no later than 10 to 9 for the draw to take place if you would like a game. For enquiries, call 0428 540 272.

Elvy / President.

Aussie Croquet was not played on Satur­day 15th June as the grounds were far too wet underfoot. Tuesday 18th saw 34 keen players come along and brave the cold and foggy conditions. It was great to see John Farah back with us after a stint away due to health issues. Some good scores were re­corded on the day. One runaway score 11/2 recorded by John Farah who seems to be in form after the break. 10/3 another top score recorded by Vince Roberts & Bill Scott, 9/4 Lyn Simmonds and Rex Toole, Kevin Rubie and Enid Baker, John Allegri and Noel Jol­liffe, Ray Burridge and Lyall Strudwick, Rus­sell Anderson and Bill Scott, Frank Donohoe and Peter West, Robin Pols and Enid Baker.

There were also many 7/6 scores on the day. A reminder that the next Monthly Birth­day Luncheon will be held at the Forbes Sportsmans Hotel (Golf Club) on Tuesday 2nd July, please get your names in asap.

Roast Lunch for $22. Croquet continues to be a very popular game and if you would like to try the game come down to Halpins Flat on Tuesday or Saturday and you will be put with an experienced player to learn the ropes. Arrival 9.15am for 9.30am start. Until next week.

By Elvy Quirk