From Victoria
Warm, Relaxed Opening Day for VCA
Despite warnings of potential poor weather the sun shone on the Victorian Croquet Centre (VCC) for the opening of the 2008-2009 VCA season. This added to the colourful sight of players from around the state enjoying themselves on the many courts as a variety of malletsports were indulged in. The most noise seemed to come from the afternoon gateball group, although the considerable chat and repartee around all the courts certainly resulted in a number of wrong balls and/or hoops being played at times!
After a welcoming morning tea Val Brown, VCA President, led the formal proceedings, introducing the new VCA Vice-President, Mike Cohn, Administrator, Sandra Kastanaris, Greenkeeper, James Hood and the Mayor of Brimbank, Sam David.
The Mayor spoke warmly of the VCC and its benefit to the municipality before moving outside with everyone to formally run the first hoop, which he did with great gusto. He then stayed for some time watching play and chatting with VCA members.
Lunch, which included generous helpings of lasagna and a very decadent tiramisu, was another happy social time, made so comfortable in the easy surroundings of the large clubrooms. Following afternoon play further lashings of scones, jam and cream and fruitcake were enjoyed before people left for home.
Players can now look forward to enjoying further social contact with people from other clubs as they attend local/regional club openings around the state.
Jenny Ross, Ringwood CC
President, Val Brown with the Mayor of Brimbank, Sam David and Vice President Mike Cohn
Enjoying lunch and a chat
Opening Day
2008 Victorian Golf Croquet Team
Congratulations to the players selected to represent Victoria at the 2008 Golf Croquet Teams Event, to be held on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, in early September. They've provided short profiles below:
Kevin Beard
Kevin (captain) is a semi-retired geneticist in the dairy industry. He is married to Janet and has two adult children, Sally and Catherine. Kevin has been a member of the Brunswick Mallet Sports Club since 1999. As well as being the current holder of the Victorian and Australian Golf Croquet single Championships, Kevin represented Australia at the World Golf Croquet Championships in South Africa in March this year and reached the final 16.This is Kevin's first time in the Victorian Golf Croquet team but he has formerly represented Victoria in Association.
Owen Edwards
Owen has been playing both Association and Golf Croquet since 1985. Three times ACA Golf Croquet open singles Champion 2001, 2005 and 2006. He has played in the WCF championships in Florida USA, Southwick UK., Hastings NZ, and Capetown SA. Owen is a referee for both Association and Golf Croquet. Before retirement, he was the communications Manager for a multinational company and a keen tennis and squash player.
Elizabeth Allen
Elizabeth started playing croquet and other mallet sports at St. Andrews Croquet Club when she was 35 years old. She is the mother of three daughters and two sons and a grandmother to a baby Girl. Elizabeth 's hobbies are reading, quilting, knitting, fishing, ballroom dancing and cooking. Elizabeth played in the Victorian ladies state team for Association in 1996 and 1997 and was a member of the winning team last year.
Wendy Dickson
Wendy is a member of the Brunswick Mallet Sports Club and started playing croquet in 2005. Since than croquet has taken up a major part of her free time. Her other interest is Golf. Career wise, Wendy is a director of Morrows, which is a financial planning and accounting practice located in Southbank. Wendy has a Bachelor of Business degree in accounting and is a fully qualified CPA and CFP.
Eric O'Donnell
Wendy Dickson, Elizabeth Allen, Kevin Beard and Owen Edwards