Each year July 3 marks the day the Young Croquet Club celebrates it’s anniversary, but this year is an extra special milestone.
Sunday marks the club’s 25th anniversary and while celebrations have been temporarily put on hold, founding member Brenda Cummings has put together the following information.
What started as an idea planned among foundation members 25 years ago is now a thriving club located at the Jack Bond Field in Binalong Street.
It all began back in 1991 when a small group of ladies played croquet on an area set aside for the game at the Young Retirement Village. Several residents joined the group who played a modified version of the game.
One afternoon Marj Mackay suggested the group learn to play Association Croquet and form a club, and so the idea grew. The next step was forming a committee.
The inaugural meeting was held at the Serives Club on April 24, 1991, and with their support the Young Services Croquet Club was formed.
The committee was headed by Marj Mackay as president, Neroli Morgan as vice president and Brenda Cummings as secretary/treasurer.
Other members who joined in 1991 were Joy Winter, Judy Rowland, Nellie Fuller, Helen and Maurice Berridge, Ian Mackay, Ione and Roy Barton, Mick Lewry, Biddy and Arthur Bradd, Lorna Hill, Mary McKenzie, Jeanie Holmes, Honor and Brian Stollery, Edna Whish, Heather Millard, Mercia Maher, Margaret O’Connor, Gwen Wells, and Dorothy and Doug Walter.
Two sets of balls, six hoops and four mallets were purchased ahead of the open day which saw croquet players from Canberra, Wagga, Cowra, Bathurst, Dubbo and Cootamundra attended.
Brenda recalls Services Club assistant president and director Ray Bourke, Young Shire president Marie McCormack, president Marj and Canberra coach Wendy Davidson hit balls onto the green to mark the occasion.
Tom Bowler and Allan Saines supported the club for several years, joined later by Max O’Brian who donated money towards the purchase of lights from Miro Street netball courts.
The club became a separate entity with incorporation in 1993 and Young Croquet Club Inc emerged.
Over the years the club prospered with improvements to the ground and facilities, made possible by Young Shire Council, government grants, donations and fundraisers.
Pictured above are (back) Estelle Hackney, Brenda Cummings, Brian Stottery, (front) Dorothy Hunt, Marj Mackay, Jeanie Holmes, Iona and Roy Barton, Biddy and Arthur Bradd, Mick Lewry, Arch Hunt and Margaret O'Connor.
