Croquet Report

the Tuesday sessions and I joined Alex for the Wednesday group. Not surprisingly this group matched last year’s so, well done teachers and students of Carine High School, and we hope to welcome you again.

To close I would like to acknowledge the commitment Alex Third made to these groups. Alex and Ken Giles have also completely reorganised the bowl stocks in the shed and introduced a clever numbering system. A request to everyone who use these bowls, please return them as you found them. We are very lucky to have members putting in the time to improve our community bowling service. Many thanks also to John Sturk for making the extra boxes for the bowls.

– Tony Bourne

Croquet Report

Vale Terry Harvey

Our dear friend Terry passed away on 27 February. He had been in hospital for a couple of weeks and his health had gradually deteriorated. Terry joined our Club in 2012, having played croquet in England before coming to Perth. He quickly showed us all how much he loved the game by being present at almost every session we held. He competed in numerous competitions in his first few years and was soon playing at ‘B’ Grade level, having started at ‘D’ Grade. He was always keen to ensure that new players improved their game,

Terry frightened us all in 2016, when he suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest after a session of croquet! Luckily, Denise Baldock quickly raised the alarm, and Trish Cunningham and Chris Lander were on hand to give him CPR and used the Club’s defibrillator to resuscitate him before the ambulance arrived. He was forever grateful to them all

for their fast reactions and abilities and referred to them as his “guardian angels”. Three months later he was back on the courts playing as before.

Terry later developed cancer and spent more time in hospital undergoing treatments but, again, overcame all this successfully – nothing was going to stop him from playing croquet! His love of croquet and his positive attitude kept him going through thick and thin. Terry stopped playing at the end of 2021 as his health started to impact on his stamina and breathing. He is now no doubt “ruling the roost” in “Croquet Heaven” where no illness nor pain can hamper his game ever again. Vale Terry – we miss you!

Tournaments and Competitions

The first competition of the year was the fun competition - Australia vs “Rest of the World”, which (once again) was won by the “foreigners”, who are now all Australians – is that fair?? The “best dressed” this year was Jan Craddock, who represented Great Britain in all her finery!

The WA “C” Grade State Championship Competition was held in January. Jenny Wilmot, Cheryl Saul and Terry Craddock, entered - all performing well against some formidable competition and gaining valuable experience in the process. Well done to these players.

In February we played our Golf Croquet Doubles Competition. After some close games, the end result saw Jan and Terry Craddock emerge as well-deserving winners with Sandy Boon and Lorraine Bates runners up. In March Jenny Wilmot, Cheryl Saul and Di McGivern played

in the Bunbury Central Competition. Di playing with Walter Reid finished in second place after two very enjoyable days of and excellent hospitality.

In early April we hosted the “Croquetwest April Doubles Tournament” There were 16 entries with four more on the waiting list. The winners were Di McGivern and Lorraine Bates with Ian Tarling (Cambridge) and Eric McCurdy (Gosnells) runners up. Our thanks to all our volunteers who helped over the weekend. What a blessing it is to have such willing helpers. A special vote of thanks goes to our wonderful Greenkeeper, Alan and team, who prepared the courts so beautifully for the competition.

Changes to Croquet Committee

Reluctantly we have had to accept the resignation of our Captain Kerry Bomford due to her devotion to, and support of, Frank as he underwent some gruelling medical treatments. We take this opportunity to express our thanks and appreciation to Kerry who has been an outstanding Captain for several years. In particular, she has succeeded in bringing the Croquet Section and the Bowling sector closer together.

Examples of this good relationship have been demonstrated through having Croquet members assist with special bowling events such as their Gala Day and Melbourne Cup Luncheon, making sandwiches and salads for the participants. Pictured alongside are Do McGivern, Terry and Jan Craddock

Di McGivern has now moved into Kerry’s role with Terry Craddock taking on the position of Vice Captain; Lorraine Bates joining the

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team as Secretary, and Jan Craddock accepting the role of Events and Welfare member. Terry is also undergoing medical treatment at present with Jan’s constant and on going support. We appreciate their willingness to maintain their involvement on the Committee in these difficult circumstances; and thank Lorraine for filling an important gap at very short notice.

Quarterly Croquet Lunch

This was held at the Kingsley Tavern and it was great to see so many members there, especially those who brought their partners – Rex Morgan, Thora Lay and Caroline Russell-Browne. Judith Skeet and Pat Hobson made the effort to join us for a most enjoyable afternoon. Peter Beckett was the lucky winner of a draw for $25!

State Coaching Coordinator

I have accepted this role at the request of the Croquetwest President; taking over from Sandra Stevenson, who has worked tirelessly for the past seven years in the role.

– Di McGivern