BELATED celebrations for Bright Croquet Club's 120 year anniversary were a great success last Thursday.
More than 60 people attended the festivities at the clubhouse, including club members, newcomers and special guests Maurice and Sarina Cevaal-Hewitt from Croquet Victoria.
Bright Croquet Club is one of the 87 affilliated clubs with Croquet Victoria and one of the oldest clubs in the state, marking its official anniversary on Wednesday, September 4 earlier this year.
Maurice said croquet was a marvellous game, and "I think that’s why this club has been around so long; it shows how much the community wants to be involved".
Sarina praised the club for the milestone and well organised celebrations.
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"A lot of clubs are celebrating their centenary at the moment, but to survive Covid, not to mention the two World Wars to get to 120 years is very impressive," she said.
"I was here for the 110th celebrations a decade ago.
"Croquet fits in this wonderful niche for those who can't play a contact sport; it's played at a walking pace.
"It's much better fun than bridge or mahjong and even people getting around with a walker can still play croquet: what other sports can they do?"
At 11am, club president Joan Thompson and secretary John Hart lit the candles on the cake, with the club's most senior member, Liz Grimes, cutting the cake.
The day progressed calmly and cheerfully, with attendees taking it in turns to navigate the two courses of hoops available.
“The aim for today was to get as many visitors as possible to try it out and convert them," Hilly Hart said.
"When they leave here they’ll want to come back.
"It’s a beautiful game: it’s good exercise, you use your brains, it’s not expensive to play, you have a chat and a cuppa with other people, you win, you lose; it’s got it all."
Throughout the event, Mr Hart drew out multiple lucky door prizes which included local wines and other treats.
Nightingale Bros Alpine Produce of Wandiligong kindly donated a crate of apples for the event, with attendees encouraged to take one home with them after enjoying the barbeque, home-made cakes, finger-foods and salads available.
“It’s a good lot of fun," Heather Maddison said.
"We’re still trying to get new members, but it’s good fun to teach them the game.
"There's a new lady, Anna Pain, visiting today; she seems to be enjoying it.”
Newcomers Steve Everard and his wife Pauline attended the event this year from as far away as Adelaide.
“It’s hard to improve upon the words of the Victorian secretary, but we’ve really enjoyed our day here," Steve said, as he passed on his thanks to the group.
"We might take up croquet when we return to Adelaide!
"The next time we visit our daughter in Porepunkah, we’ll keep this club in mind to visit again.”
