Club Newsletter June 2026

BCC NEWSLETTER – June 2026

Buildings & Maintenance
I hope that you all agree that the Club is looking fantastic. Once we complete the leveling of the grassed area to the West of the Clubhouse we should be rivalling the All England Croquet and Tennis Club, as it was named in 1870.
Members attending the Club could not help but notice that we can now get to the Clubhouse with dry shoes. In addition, we have magnificent new structure/shed in the Northwest corner adjacent to Court 1.
The new shed will ultimately be available for Club use. In the immediate future it will be used by the Elwood Croquet Club during their attendance at Brighton.
All these works have been completed at a cost to the Club of $2,800. The vast majority of the works have been funded by Melbourne Water, via the Elwood CC.
A huge vote of thanks to Terry Frankham, our Treasurer, who has taken the lead with these works. Also, thanks to David Stamp and Michael Love for their contributions.
More observant members may have noticed the refurbished historic pole near the Northwest corner of Court 2. The pole actually serves a purpose by marking the Western boundary of the court. Once again thanks to Michael Love and the Bayside Men’s Shed.
Michael Love has also spent many hours placing grass ‘plugs’ along the North boundary of Court 3. The lawn is competing with the Bleazby Avenue plane tree roots, despite a Bayside Council’s root barrier. The Club has taken this up with Council and is looking forward to this being addressed before Spring, we hope!
Speaking of improvements, we have replaced the noticeboards in the Clubhouse with magnetic whiteboards. Thanks to Minn Stewart, one of our more recent members.
The Committee’s support and assistance has been invaluable in all aspects of these improvements.
Parking in Male Street
The Committee has been working hard to build the Club’s relationship with the Bayside City Council and local politicians.
The Bayside Council has been very responsive to our request to review parking restrictions in Male Street. Some of the two-hour restrictions in Male Street have now been changed to four hours. This has largely resulted from the support the Club receives from our Bleazby Ward Councilor, Robert Irlicht, and some Council senior managers.
Please check the signs before you park.
As a complete aside, the Club was recently recognized in Hansard, thanks to James Newbury, our local member of Parliament.

Annual General Meeting, Saturday 25 July, 12.30 PM
The Club AGM will be held on Saturday 25 July. Nominations for Committee office holders close 2 weeks prior to the meeting. Position descriptions for each of the office holders are attached to this email and copies will be available in the Clubhouse.
The Club is very fortunate to have such a hardworking and committed Committee. Nevertheless, if any member feels that they can make a contribution to the Committee, members are very much encouraged to nominate for a position.
The Committee must have a gender balance and a balance of Golf and AC players. We also aim to have a diversity of views, skills and experiences.
In any event, please make some time available on the 25th July and attend the AGM if possible. As a bonus/bribe we are offering beverages after the meeting. Members are encouraged to bring a plate.
Club Annual Association Tournament
The Association tournament is scheduled over two weekends, including the prior Friday. The dates are:
Division 3 & 4 – Friday 4th September – Sunday 6th September
Division 1 & 2 – Friday 11th September – Sunday 13th September
If you are interested in seeing croquet played in a competitive environment, members and visitors will be very welcome. If you’re not familiar with AC, someone will be there to explain what is happening.
Speaking of competition, our AC pennant team recently participated in the Division 4 grand final at Cairnlea, unfortunately unsuccessfully. Congratulations to our team (Marguerite Russell and Paul Tilley) for making it to the final.
Success at last
After a rigorous almost 3-year qualification process, the BCC now has 5 qualified AC umpires. Perhaps one day some may even reach the lofty heights of referee status. There is a fine distinction between a referee and an umpire, but it would take too long to explain.
We also now have 3 qualified Club Handicappers. All our AC players now have a handicap assigned, ranging from minus 1½ to 20.
Having a handicap is a great leveler and encourages players to improve their game over time. Importantly, formal competition involving all forms of the game requires players to have a handicap.
Discuss it with your colleagues and, if you are interested in having a handicap assigned, please speak to Julie Love, Club Captain.

Bill Marks
President