100 Years Old

The York Croquet Club's 100 year celebrations started on Saturday 28th November 2009, with the opening of the exhibition "100 years of croquet in York" at the Residency Museum. Attendees to the opening were served a delicious morning tea.

100 years of croquet in York display at Residency Museum

The official opening the of 100 years of croquet in York display at the Residency Museum

A sit-down luncheon was then held at the tennis club rooms, which had been beautifully decorated. Frits and Birgit Schreuder were the designers of the decorations, and Frits the master chef. Bill Roy was the MC for the function, Eric Ayling gave an address, and speeches were made by the deputy Shire President, Brian Lawrance, and representatives of all visiting clubs. There were delightful insights to the history of the York Club. Pat McGregor, the longest serving member of the club cut the cake which was decorated in a croquet theme. The afternoon concluded with social croquet.

The decorated tennis club rooms

100 years of croquet birthday cake

During the celebration speeches, John Jury, from Moorabinda Croquet Club, Bunbury, presented the York Croquet Club with a special bottle of red wine. The wine was "created" for Moorabinda's centenary in 2004, and has a picture of the Moorabinda players on the label with the words "Centenary 1904 - 2004 Vintage 2004 Shiraz Specially produced for Moorabinda Croquet Club Sponsored by Thomas Wines Gelorup, WA. Limited Edition."

One the other side of the bottle another label gives a short history of the Moorabinda Croquet Club, and the following description of the wine:

"The Moorabinda Classic

"Made from triple peeled grapes in an unlawful crush on the grassy slopes of The Mounds of Moorabinda, this Centenary product should be savoured with a combination of half, full or pass rolls and a handful of bisques. Contact with pioneers from neighbouring competitors has been avoided by driving a Rover and stalking the border with a standard grip on the corner cannon. The wiring of our hoops gives the wine its penultimate lift. The most satisfying lift, however, is scored by the serious or social player from a final quick dash before doubling up with partner to peg out and leave. As our beloved Aunt Emma Says "One's nice, but two's a tice." As with all good croquet players, this wine will improve with age. enjoy."

On Sunday 29th November, the first of the centenary tournaments was held with a Golf Croquet doubles tournament for players with handicaps up to 8.

Peter Hopwood, Bruce McGregor (York), Brian Hadley, Denis Bull (York), John Jury (winner), Birgit Schreuder, Dale Jury (winner) Eleanor Robers, Eric Ayling (York), Bill Roy (York).

The second centenary tournament was held on Wednesday 2nd December. A Golf Croquet Tournament for handicaps 9 to 12.

Sue Anderson, Emma Ridgway, Ian Tarling, Glen Foley, Joy Stephens,Jan Arberry, Peter Bailey (York) (Winner), Dorothy Bull (York) (Winner) Pam Warner (York), Alan Gillett (York).

The celebrations were completed on the weekend 5th and 6th December with an Association Croquet tournament. In all three tournaments, cash prizes were given to the winners, second and third place getters. Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea was also supplied.

Eric Ayling (York), Carl Perrin, Jeff Newcombe (kneeling)(winner), Trevor Ashby (referee), John Jury, Martin Clarke (kneeling)(winneer), Dale Jury, RossMarshall, Bill Roy (York)

The York Croquet Club give special thanks to:

Bill Roy for the planning and organisation of the functions.

Frits and Birgit Schreuder for the planning and decorations of the function room

Frits Schreuder for his cooking

Stephen and Paula Schreuder for cooking

Pat McGregor for making the top tier of the cake

Prudence Ford for making the lower tier of the cake

Lois Gault for icing and decorating the cake

York Quality Butchers for supplying meat

Dalene Davies for supplying bread for the lunch function

--oo0oo--

The York Croquet Club Inc. thanks the following businesses for their support and sponsorship of the 100 year celebrations being held between 28th November 2009 and 6th December 2009

Bendigo Bank, York

Cellarbrations at Duke of York Cellars

Creative Constructions

Eastern Districts Real Estate

IGA York

John's Local Cleaners

Ray White Real Estate

Shire of York

York Celebrant Services

York Newsagency

York Pharmacy

York Quality Butchers.

A New Community Exhibition "100 years of Croquet in York" will be run from 28th November 2009 to the end of May 2010 at the York Residency Museum, 4 Brook street, York.

--oo0oo--

Later this year, 2009, our club will be celebrating 100 years of croquet in York.

To commemorate this we are planning a week of activity commencing Saturday 28th November through to Sunday 6th December 2009

We are planning to include the following activities:

Sunday 29th November 2009 - Golf Croquet doubles, level event - open to players with handicaps below 9.

Wednesday 2nd December 2009 - Golf Croquet doubles, level event - open to players with handicaps above 8.

Saturday 5th-Sunday 6th December 2009. Association Croquet doubles event - open.

York Croquet Club

Old First Lawns

5 Foundation members soon after opening

Left: Mrs Scadden??

Right Back: Mrs Helena Jager

Lady with dog: Mrs Bob Weir

Girl: Flora Weir.

Article from the "Eastern Districts Chronicle" dated Saturday 27 November 1909.

Article from the "Eastern Districts Chronicle" dated Saturday 4 December 1909

Article from the "Eastern Districts Chronicle" dated Saturday 11 December 1909

Old age and treachery will overcome youth and skill!