NEWS

Vale Joan McPheat: It is with great sadness that we advise the passing of Joan McPheat. Joan has been a significant figure in our club for many years, as director, player and champion of our new and advancing players. Her funeral will be held on at 3pm on Friday 17 November at Gregson & Weight, Wises Rd Maroochydore.

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Help documents for using MyABF: We have written some one-pager help documents for using MyABF (with thanks to Tricia). Click here for help on Setting up and logging into your MyABF account and Making payments to MyABF.

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Council grant acknowledgement: The Club wishes to acknowledge the grant of some $2,000 made to us by the Sunshine Coast Council through Cr Dickson to provide for installation of the new security screens at front door and on kitchen windows. The grant has increased security against break-ins.

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New email address: As part of an IT re-structure the club has a new email address. It is [email protected].

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COMING EVENTS

  Tuesday 5 December 2023
Tuesday Afternoon Comp
Click for details

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  Tuesday 2 January 2024
Tuesday Afternoon Comp
Click for details

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President's Trophy 2023: The 2023 President's Trophy was held in November, with 22 pairs competing. Winners were Alison Dawson and Ken Dawson. Second place went to Bev and John Stacey. They are picture here with club president Warren Holmes.

This event is scored on a handicap basis too, and handicap winners were Iris Jeffries and Yvonne Hawthorne. (Actual handicap winners were Bev and John Stacey, but as 1st and 2nd placegetters don't qualify for the handicap prize, the handicap prize goes to Iris and Yvonne.) See more... [posted Mon 20-Nov-23]

Steve's 80th birthday: Steve Murray celebrated his 80th birthday recently, with a cake presented by the Club.

Steve has been a long time member, and has been a director of our morning sessions and some championships and congresses for many years [posted Mon 20-Nov-23]

Qld Senior Pairs: Our club hosted the Qld Senior Pairs on Sunday 12 November.

There were 22 pairs from all over south east Queensland in a strong field. Overall winners were David Christian - Geoff Olsen (pictured right holding the trophy, with Club President Warren Holmes middle). Runners-up were Di Rogers - Susie Warren.

A Restricted Pairs event was held alongside the Qld Senior Pairs, and this attracted 16 pairs. Winners were Robert King - Keith Cohen, with runners-up Carmel Dwan - Tricia Merefield.

Full results are available here.

Thanks to director Peter, convenor Barbara, and the caddies, kitchen and bar help, and dealer. [posted Sun 12-Nov-23]

Christmas Party - Saturday 2 December: This year the Christmas Party is going up a notch! Entry will be by pre-paid ticket only $15 for members, $25 non-members). Closing date for purchase money is 20 November - purchase tickets by EFTPOS at the club at any session between now and then, and keep your ticket for entry and the lucky door prize on the day. Arrival from 10:30am.

Entertainment "Hot Ginger" Acapella group (same as last year), and a fun bridge afternoons follows lunch.

Here is a glimpse at the menu: Canapes - Stuffed Rolled Turkey Breasts - Glazed Leg Ham - Tossed Green Salad - Greek Salad - Cheese Cake with Summer Berries - Tiramisu.

Lunch between 11:30 and 12:30, fun bridge from 1:0pm See more... [posted Tue 7-Nov-23]

Council permit now signed: The Sunshine Coast Regional Council have changed the way they manage our occupancy of the land that organisations like us have build their clubhouse on. Rather than continue with traditional leases, they have introduced "permits". The principal benefit from our perspective is that Council is now responsible for some areas of maintenance that previously were our responsibility.

Pictured is president Warren and treasurer Robert signing the new document with Ella, on behalf of the Council. [posted Wed 1-Nov-23]

Member Profile - Steve and Ann Murray: Here is the latest in our series of Club Member Profiles. This edition features Steve and Ann Murray. A full list of our published member profiles is on our Documents page. See more... [posted Fri 20-Oct-23]

Member Profile - Pepe Schwegler: Here is the latest in our series of Club Member Profiles. This edition features Pepe Schwegler. See more... [posted Sun 24-Sep-23]

Restricted Pairs Championship: The 2023 Restricted Pairs Championship was played this month. Winners (pictured top with Committee Member John Gilmour) were Dave Richards and Jay Kent and runners up were Diane Blewett and Kerry Baillie.

Thanks to director Steve and helpers. [posted Tue 19-Sep-23]

Graded Pairs Congress: Our 2023 Graded Pairs congress attracted 15 tables, with players from across the Coast and from Brisbane.

We had 3 separate grades, and this is a popular format for players at all levels of experience. Winners of the A Grade (left side of photo) were Alison Dawson and Janeen Solomon, B grade winners (upper right) were Shane and Sonya Palfreyman, and C Grade winners were John Rivers and Sameer Pandya.

Many thanks to Peter as director, Barbara as convenor, Chris and her team of kitchen helpers and caddies and dealers.

Click here for event results. [posted Sun 17-Sep-23]

2023 Annual General Meeting: The 2023 Annual General Meeting was held on Monday 4 September.

Incoming Committee members were welcomed aboard by President Warren Holmes, and outgoing members thanked for their contribution.

Retiring Committee members: Chris Gilmour, Brian Cordiner, Lorraine Kaszas

New Committee members: Robert Bandiera (Treasurer), Mike Scott (Vice President), Louise Taylor-Smith (Committee member) [posted Mon 4-Sep-23]

MyABF - update: There has been some confusion from some members about MyABF. The attached document attempts to clear up any misconceptions. See more... [posted Mon 28-Aug-23]

Charity Day to support Sunshine Coast's homeless: Our Charity Day, held on Friday 18th of August was a marvelous success. The club raised $5000 for the Maroochy Neighbourhood Centre and Sleep Bus, the money being used to provide meals for those homeless or struggling in today's harsh financial climate.

Congratulations to Maggie Marsden and Sonya Holmes, pictured, who won the Fancy Hat competition. There were many more winners throughout the morning and John Kenny very kindly paid for an open bar after play.

Many thanks to Maureen Cass, who again donated an exquisite gourmet hamper for our Lucky Door prize winner Harry Walsh.

Also many thanks to all who donated and of course our sponsors: our neighbours The Sunshine Coast Art Group, Alexandra Heads SLSC, Headland Golf Club, Harry's on Buderim, IGA, Buderim Landscaping Supplies, Club Mooloolaba, The Tony Kelly Restaurant Group and The Spirit House.

Please support these local businesses, as they have most kindly and generously supported us.

And don't forget to come along next year! [posted Fri 25-Aug-23]

Member Profile - Peter and Angela Watts: Here is the latest in our series of Club Member Profiles. This edition features long tome members Peter and Angela Watts. See more... [posted Sun 20-Aug-23]

2023 Pairs Championship: The 2023 Pairs Championship was run as an all-play-all event, and attracted 24 pairs. This event was played over 4 Monday afternoons.

Winners were Geoff Olsen and David Christian (pictured right with Club President Warren Holmes), with runners up Ken Dawson and Jim Martin.

Thanks to director Steve, convenor Barbara and Chris and her kitchen helpers. [posted Fri 11-Aug-23]

90th birthday celebration: Long time Club Member Yvonne Hawthorne celebrated her 90th birthday at the club recently. She is pictured with her cake.

Yvonne has been a member since 1985. [posted Mon 31-Jul-23]

Club member profile - Lisa Philips: Here is the latest in our series of Club Member Profiles. This edition features Club teacher Lisa Phillips. See more... [posted Tue 11-Jul-23]

Member Profile #2 - Mike and Shirley Phillips: Here''s the latest in our series of Club Member Profiles. This edition features Mike and Shirley Phillips. See more... [posted Mon 26-Jun-23]

June Congress 2023: The 2023 June Congress was held 17-18 June. We held a walk-in pairs session as a prelude on Friday afternoon. This was won by Fay Stanton - Janine Solomon, with runners-up Ursula Sheldon - Julie Pigdon.

Saturday's Pairs event was won by Fay Stanton - Janine Solomon. The Category B prize went to Carmel Dwan - Tricia Merefield.

The Teams event on Sunday was won by the Bardon team. The team was made up of Jim Wallis and Toni Bardon who were attending their 34th consecutive Sunshine Coast June Congress, along with team-mates Neville Francis and Pat Bugler.The Category B prize went to the Snook team.

Pictured (clockwise from top left) the Bardon team with president Warren Holmes, Fay and Janine as Pairs winners, and Carmel and Tricia as Pairs Category B winners.

Many thanks to director Peter, congress convenor Barbara, the caddies and other helpers, and sponsors TBIB Insurance Brokers. See more... [posted Mon 19-Jun-23]

Member Profile #2 - Howard Baker: Here's the latest in our series of Club Member Profiles. This edition features long term member Howard Baker. See more... [posted Wed 24-May-23]

2023 Club Teams Championship: The 2023 Teams Championship was contested over three Thursdays in May and 14 teams competed in an all-play-all event.

Winners were the Harris team (pictured at right, from left): Geoff Olsen, David Harris, Tim Ridley - absent Maureen Jakes. Runners up were the Dunlop team (Drew Dunlop, Steve Hughes, Randall Rusk, Jim and Lyn Martin)

Club Vice-President Chris Gilmour presented the prizes.

Thanks to director Peter Busch and helpers. See more... [posted Mon 22-May-23]

Novice Pairs Championship: The 2023 Novice Pairs Championship was held in May, with 26 pairs contending - a great turnout.

An all-play-all barometer was held over 3 weeks, ably run by Steve Murray.

Winners were Julie Pigdon and Brenda Young, and second place went to David Reid - Julia Caldwell.

This is an honour board event,and is run annually. Red masterpoints were awarded. See more... [posted Thu 18-May-23]

Member profiles: Our club is full of interesting people. We might know most of them as opponents across the table, and perhaps a bit about their skill as bridge players, but not much else. But everyone has a back-story.

Over the next few months, we are going to open the lid on some of those back stories. The first one is Ursula Sheldon. We know her as a club member of many years standing, but not much more. Read on... See more... [posted Wed 3-May-23]

50th Anniversary: Our 50th Anniversary Celebration was on Tuesday 11th April.

Format for the day was morning tea on arrival, a welcome by President Warren Holmes, followed by guest speakers including the Sunshine Coast Regional Council mayor Mark Jamieson and QBA Manager Kim Ellaway. Sue Mabin and Judith Slade then spoke about the history of the club over its 50 years, and Gabrielle Elich launched the 50th Year book, which is now available for sale from the club for $10. Celebratory cake was cut by two of our longest serving members Anne Young and Val Colless, and after which a sandwich lunch was available for all. An afternoon bridge session followed, with a near-capacity crowd of 26 tables.

Pictured are Anne and Val cutting the anniversary cake, with mayor Mark Jamieson. There are more photos on our Photos page.

Many thanks to the chief organiser Chris Gilmour, president Warren Holmes and their army of helpers. [posted Tue 11-Apr-23]

Qld Senior Teams 2023: Affer 2 years of the event being cancelled for Covid related reasons, the Qld Senior Teams was hosted by our club on 28/29 February 2023. A total of 18 teams competed, including many from Brisbane and other areas.

The trophy was won by the Ridley team pictured (Sam Halvorsen, Rosemary Green, Philippa Barnett, David Harris, Tim Ridley). The trophy was present to the winners by Ken Dawson on behalf of the QBA.

Second place went to Brookes team (Verna Brookes, Stephen Brookes, Ken Dawson, Adrienne Kelly).

The B Category was won by the Noonan team (pictured - Gabrielle Elich, Amber Noonan, Fay Stanton, Anne Young). See more... [posted Sun 29-Jan-23]

Two new club directors: The Club has two newly qualified Club Directors. Picture are Lisa Phillips (left, with president Warren Holmes) and Jeff White (right, with senior director Steve Murray).

This qualification is managed by the QBA and involves passing two exams - one on laws and the other on movements and scoring.

Congratulations to Lisa and Jeff!

Any other players who are thinking about learning directing can contact Games Director Peter Busch. All assistance will be provide to those interested. [posted Tue 24-Jan-23]

Zone Graded Pairs 2022: The 2022 Zone Graded Pairs was held on Sunday 5 December at Caloundra.

It was help in two separate grades, covering 19 tables.

In the A Grade it was a clean sweep with pairs from our club taking top 4 positions. Pictured with Zone secretary Brian Cordiner are Jim and Lyn Martin (1st), Ken Dawson / Rosemary Crowley (2nd), Anne Young / Amber Noonan (3rd) and Joan McPheat / Alison Dawson (4th) [posted Mon 5-Dec-22]

Christmas Party 2022: The Club held its 2022 Christmas party on Saturday 6 December. Over 100 members enjoyed food and entertainment, and most stayed for a game of bridge in the afternoon.

Many thanks to Chris for organising the event, and to her many helpers.

More pics on our Photos page. [posted Sun 4-Dec-22]

Interclub Teams Championship 2022: The Interclub Teams Championship was held held on Saturday 30 July 2022.

Teams from Sunshine Coast, Caloundra, Coolum and Noosa competed for the perpetual trophy across 3 grades. The event was won by Noosa. Pictured at right are Adam Hertelendy, president of Noosa Bridge Club, receiving the trophy from Sunshine Coast Bridge Club president Brian Cordiner.

Follow the link for more details.... See more... [posted Sat 30-Jul-22]