From the President

Dear All,

Thirty-one members were on hand on Saturday 27 August to give the grounds and buildings a spring clean. The highlight was a magnificent morning tea for the hardworking team.

The following Monday morning, the lawns closed for the annual renovation, which was completed a few days before Opening Day on 10 September.

The Opening Day ceremony started with a few moments silence to honour the
memory and passing of our much-loved Queen Elizabeth. We were blessed
with a glorious day and our Patron, the Mayor, officially opened the Summer
Season. Thirty-four members enjoyed a shared lunch and croquet on the refurbished lawns. Pam Fuller and Pat Wiffin efficiently organised the shared lunch, while Lisa Thompson did the same at the bar, and the Mayor was very gracious in joining in the fun.

There are photos of the day attached to a News article on our website, and also on our club Facebook page. Please “like” Lesley’s entries on Kelburn Croquet’s Facebook page, as this will increase our page's exposure! 

At our meeting on Thursday 8 September, the committee agreed that, because of the system of allocating portfolios amongst committee members, we will cut down the number of actual meetings we will have during the year. The next meeting will now be on Thursday, 10 November followed by one on 16 Feb 2023.

The committee has agreed to purchase a leaf blower for the lawns, to look at ways of advertising the club from the street frontage, and to ask the Council for a hand rail on the club side of the path down to the car park.

The same weekend as the club opening, four Kelburn AC players - Alison
Robinson, Baubre Murray, Marion McInnes and Janet Boutel - went to Marton
to play in a practice tournament for the World Women’s tournament in
Christchurch next January. We do wish them all well.

Finally, another little request for help. We need volunteers to take care of morning tea and other light duties every Saturday up until Christmas, in teams of three. Would all members please volunteer for a weekend - either by contacting me or by signing up on the sheet at the clubhouse. Below is a list of the duties, and a list of who has volunteered so far.

Kind regards

Mary Stevens

From the Club Captain 

Opening day  

It was a great start to the summer season, made all the better by meeting new players Alison and Alverie for the first time. Thanks to members for making them feel welcome, and, in particular, Denise.  

GC rules  

Thanks to Roger Hurnard for his session on 28 August, and, thanks in advance to him for his upcoming session on 18 September for those playing at club level. 

Interclub  

The Wednesday GC interclub rules have been slightly amended. The minimum combined handicap for the three-person team is 20 but there is no maximum.  The draw is expected by late September. 

MacRobertson squad  

The MacRobertson squad will be using two lawns on 8 and 9 October - as it says on the Club's Calendar page on the website - in preparation for taking on teams from the USA, England and Australia in Australia in November. The squad includes two former under-21 GC World Champions. 

Advantage Croquet  

This is another form of handicap play for GC. We will be trialling it, probably on a club day. More information to come.  

Special Olympics Porirua 

Lesley has kindly offered to take some of our mallets to a Special Olympics Have a Go session being managed by Croquet New Zealand's Inclusion Officer, Oliver Field, at Porirua on 28 September.     

Corporate events 

Bookings for Christmas corporate functions are starting to come through. Mary Egley coordinates this essential function, which provides an invaluable boost to club finances. Please respond to requests for assistance. 

Departures  

I’m sorry to advise that we have received resignations from Nicola Lowe, John McInnes and Wendy Armitage.  We will miss their company.

Best wishes

Jane Norman
kmcc.club.captain@gmail.com

Check the club's Calendar of upcoming events

Name badges - order before 24 September

Name badges are useful, especially to new members and visitors, and for those who are playing in interclub or competitions at other clubs.

I am putting in an order to the manufacturers on 24 September. Please order before then if you want one.

The badges are 70 mm by 25 mm in size, made of plastic and resin. They are available with either a pin fastener ($15) or a magnet backing ($18). 

Email kelburnmcc@gmail.com to order a badge, saying which type you want - pin or magnet.

Pay online to the club's bank account.

Kelburn Municipal Croquet Club bank account: 03-0518-0184916-00

Thanks,

Lesley Meadows

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Finally … 

Kia kaha, Croquet New Zealand. Thanks for the useful posts on your Facebook page for Te Wiki o te Reo Māori, giving the Māori for croquet terms.