Club Newsletter November 2025

 BCC COMMITTEE MEETING

The Committee met today, 6th November 2025.  The minutes will be posted on our Website soon, but there are several items that need to be highlighted.

MEMEBERS’ SURVEY

We received 17 completed surveys from our 54 members.  Assuming all Committee members responded, it is stretching things to claim a representative sample. It is also difficult to draw any conclusions from the response, but I take it as more work needs to be done in engagement with members.  It is important that members have a sense of pride in the Club and support the direction in which the very hard-working Committee is taking it.

Margeurite and Jenni did a lot of work preparing the survey and in the analysis of the returns. As a very broad summary:

• 76% expressed overall satisfaction
• 71% felt a sense of community
• 56% felt that there were opportunities for social engagement
• 56% felt that there were opportunities to improve their croquet skills
• 100% were satisfied with communication

The Committee will be reviewing the Club Strategic Plan to ensure that it takes account of member’s feedback.  We hope to be able to circulate the Strategic Plan to members early in the New Year.

Ultimately what matters most is that members enjoy playing croquet and build friendships through the Club.

TWILIGHT CROQUET

A reminder that twilight croquet commences tomorrow evening, Friday 7^th November, 4.00 – 6.30 pm.  Bring along your preferred (legal) refreshments and some nibbles to share.

VISIT BY JAMES NEWBURY

James Newbury MP, Member for Brighton, visited the Club on Saturday 25^th October to meet with members.  He is on a mission to stop inappropriate development in the electorate.  He shared his views with a number of members, one of whom very kindly presented him with one of the lemons from the trading table as a token of the Clubs ‘support’.  Mmmm! He took it in good humour, as it was meant.

COURT BOOKING SYSTEM

As Club membership continues to grow, the demand for court space will increase, particularly for Association players.  It is important that the Club makes better use of the courts and, where possible, spread play across the day.

The Committee, more particularly Pam White, has done a lot of work looking at options and has adapted an online booking system that could be used for the Club, with particular focus on integrating the system with the needs of the Elwood Croquet Club.

If we proceed with the system, which is simple to use, there will be work-arounds for those members who would prefer not to use the system.  The system is in use successfully at other croquet Clubs.

There will be more to come about this initiative, and we will conduct a demonstration for all members.

ELWOOD CROQUET CLUB UPDATE

Yes, it is still happening.  However, Elwood is yet to sign off on contractual arrangements.  As Melbourne Water has guaranteed two months notice, it is difficult to see that the February target date is achievable. However, in preparation, we are hoping to get a new shed constructed (at Melbourne Water’s expense) which will, eventually, accommodate Elwood equipment.

AUSTRALIA DAY AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Croquet Victoria is looking for volunteers to participate in some light hearted croquet at Government House on Australia Day.  If you are interested please look at the attached flyer carefully and let Julie Love know if you wish to participate and when.

Please ensure that you read the “Further Information” section as there are some conditions attached to participating.

FUND RAISER – BUNNINGS SAUSAGE SIZZLE 3^rd JANUARY 2026

BCC is participating in the regular Bunning Sausage sizzle at Bunnings Moorabbin on Saturday 3^rd January 2026.  We will need as many helpers as possible.  It is an excellent revenue generator for the Club.  Please keep an eye on the noticeboard and put your name down if you’re able to help.

END OF YEAR FUNCTION

And a reminder that our annual end of year function will be on Sunday, 30 November commencing at 12.00 PM.

Bill Marks

President