On Tuesday 17th December Forbes Croquet Club held their annual Christmas Luncheon at the Vandenberg Hotel where
54 members were in attendance. Pictured receiving encouragement awards May Whiley-Jones, Bill Scott, Rex Toole,
Frank Donohoe, Russell Anderson, Lyn Simmonds, Evelyn Mahlo Absent Geoff Coles.

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

After Croquet Members gathered in the shade area where a beautiful lunch was served catered for by Bec’s Catering service. It was a really superb lunch consisting of sandwiches, fruit platters and juice.

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

Members of the Croquet club pictured with Sponsors Colleen and Kevin Gunn.

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

John Browne deep in concentration.

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