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Prize Giving 2025

Some photos from the Prize giving for 2025.Missing from the photos are the winners of the Swiss Pairs which were Rose Massey and Richard Burrells. Also absent unfortunately the new Chris Bayliss actual Trophy which managed to get waylaid at the engravers!! Hopefully we will get a photo of the trophy and the Most Improved Pair together in the near future!!

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Half yearly summary from your President

Your new Committee has been working very hard over the last 6 months, and I thought I should get you all up to speed on the main issues, as even though our Minutes are available to all, it's an effort for most to take look at them!!! Our Mission Statement and Strategic Plan are however on the noticeboard for all to view and I won't go through it in this summary, so you will have to make the effort there.

The Committee has changed ever so slightly recently with the resignation of Lynleigh for personal reasons. Lynleigh will continue as teacher to beginners at the Mittagong RSL on Tuesday nights, for which we are ever grateful as the teaching of beginners and their encouragement to improve and play at our club is vital. Lynleigh has been highly proactive in getting new players to come and have a go at the club particularly on Wednesday nights, a time that suits those people who are working.

To this end of teaching and improving new members, Kirsten and Simon have taken on the role of teachers of our Monday morning group which was started by our beloved Chris Bayliss. They have worked hard to establish themselves as qualified teachers and invested heaps of time and energy in the programmes which they deliver with enthusiasm and love of the game, let alone investment in our club and its future. They have established their own company for teaching bridge, however they deliver their services as volunteers to our club, for which we are ever grateful. The committee decided at the end of last year to acknowledge this by giving them a travel allowance, in respect of their work and commitment to our Club. Again, the feedback is positive with new members venturing into playing at our club. Rakesh will be contributing to their lessons while Simon and Kirsten are away.

Simon and Kirsten also teach and encourage players, with Judith Capps, at Oak Tree Retirement Village, Moss Vale.

Steve is encouraging learners in Bundanoon on Thursdays, helping those further out to learn and it is very popular too.

As well as teaching being vital to the longevity of the club, having members who can deal, score and direct is extremely important. This is truly ongoing. We've had several members volunteering as "dealers" which has been wonderful and for which we are very grateful, as this reduces the pressure on just a few. Steve has done a sterling job as Chief director, basically thrown into the deep end with the sudden resignation of Chris Bayliss. He gave a class for scorers and from that we gained a couple of newbies. We have one new director (that's me!!) having done a course that was recently provided by BridgeNSW and passed the not difficult open book on-line exam. Unfortunately, not as many as we would like and need, and we will have to continue encouraging members into these roles for the club to continue to prosper.

The Committee established a subcommittee to continue the work of trying to gain a "home" of our own. There are a few options they are working on, including (thanks to Jenny Maher) with the Community Church on the old bowling club at Moss Vale. All are very early days, and it will be "watch this space" for some time to come!!

Rakesh had been advertising and promoting SHBC through his bridge column in Southern Highlands Express. Sadly, the Express had to shut down.

These are the main issues I wished to update you on and assure you of this hard-working Committee's endeavour to maintain the highest standards of integrity, sportsmanship and respect, ensuring that every member feels valued and encouraged. If you have any concerns at all, please speak to the committee so we can help.

Cheers and happy bridging!

Margaret

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June 2025 Celebrations

A couple of things worth noting and celebrating this June. Alison Minchin's birthday fell on a Monday this year, so it was a bit of fun for us to celebrate with a cheery song and flowers. And in our Swiss pairs, a surprise but well-deserved win to Rose Massey and Richard Burrells who defeated the vintage pair of Mardi Svensson and Rakesh Kumar by 0.05 Victory points!

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2024 Awards

Here are some photos of 2024 Prizegiving at the Christmas party. The "Most Improved Pair" were Louise and Patrick Horsley, alas not in the photos. Also absent were Juliet Robert and Julle Bierling who were part of the "Most Successful Regional Team" at our Congress, and Chris Lelliot who was the partner of Chris Bayliss winning the "Min Grey Pairs".

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2025 Country Teams Regional Final

The Country Teams Regional Final took place on the 1st June and SHBC had four teams in the competition Zaranski(Anna, Jo Goodacre, Jenny and Alan Maher), Bembrick (Mike, Vivienne Brown, John Biffin and Jan Fennell), Hadaddi(Leanne, Lyn Gilchrist, Margaret Marsh and Juliet Robert) and Weatherall (David, Robin Ewing, Mardi Svenson and Margaret Malcolm). The day was hosted by the Bowral Club and many thanks go to Sherri Gates for managing such a successful and pleasurable day of competition, fun and good food. The last item created by none other than our own Jo Goodacre whose catering for all day grazing and a superb and nutritious lunch, kept everyone in good spirits! Special thanks to Jo! The Hurley and Lisle teams from Illawarra came first and second and our Weatherall team came third (the result of some spirited bidding from the inimitable Mardi Svenson!) Good luck to the Hurley team in the Zonal Final.

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Chris Reminisces

With plenty of time on his hands during his recent stay in hospital, Chris reminisced on his 17 years at Southern Highlands Bridge Club. This document is the outcome. Adele has come up with a lovely anecdote from her Wentworth Falls days. Not really SHBC history but still, a a good read. It would be really nice if anyone else has their own anecdotes they would like to share. Let Steve or Chris know and we can build up a more balanced and complete history.

Here are some photos from the 2023 presentations.

2022 Awards

Winners are Grinners

At the conclusion of he 2022 Christmas party, the year's trophys were presented. There were a lot of smiling faces!

Champions of the Future?

To round off Kirsten and Judith's very successful 2022 teaching program, students and teachers had their own very well-deserved Christmas lunch.

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Contributions from our Members