The Club's Inaugural meeting Tuesday 8th June, 1993

A History of the Parkes Bridge Club.  Researched and written by Joan Reilly.

A Meeting to form the Parkes Bridge Club was held in the Pioneer Room of the Parkes
Leagues Club at 5.30 p.m. on Tuesday 8 June 1993.

Present were Muriel Waddell, Joan Arnheim, Sylvia Pearce, Val Worthington, Bev

Laing, Pick Ongley, Julie King, J. Fawkner, Fay Davis, Tim Baker and Betty Gray.
Apologies were received from Audrey Somers and ??

At the Annual General Meeting in June

During the second half of 1994, the Club was offering Bridge Lessons for Beginners.
In January 1995, Members decided that when 2 Teams played, the Table Fee would be
$2/pp with an increase of prizes to four $2 'Scratchies'.

Prior to the 1995 AGM, the Committee decided that the Club would not affiliate with the
Australian Bridge Association, a review to take place if and when Club membership
increased.

At 1995 AGM, with 8 Members present, and 3 Apologies accepted, Fay Davis was elected
President, and Agnes Hewett was re-elected Sec.lTreasurer, with a three- Member
Committee and a Publicity Officer.

As a possible means of attracting more Members, it was agreed that the Parkes College for
Seniors be approached with a view to including Bridge Lessons as future subject.

The Club's first Christmas Party was held on 5 Dec. 1995, at the home of Muriel Waddell.
Twelve members attended, and 'played cards after a very enjoyable meal'.

In April 1996, Tuesday Afternoon Sessions of Bridge commenced, replacing the Tuesday
Evening Sessions.

The 1996 AGM had four new names in the list of the members present. The Executive
Members were re-elected, and Muriel Waddell became Assistant Sec./Treas.
Affiliation was again deferred, until membership increased.

The Club Christmas Party was again held at M. Waddell's home.

The inclusion of Bridge Lessons in College for Seniors Programme was again discussed.

A Teams Day (a Club first) was organized for 22 April 1997. Thirty-two players took part,
and it was declared 'very successful' - despite the Balance Sheet showing that the Expenses
were more than double the Income of $64.00!

Up to mid 1996, the weekly Tuesday sessions usually had 8 Players. A special day held on
23 April 1996, drew 16 Players, with one or two from Forbes and Condobolin.
Throughout the 1996-97 Year, attendance was usually 12 Players, sometimes 10 and
sometimes 14 present. The first record of 16 local players' names was on 25 May 1997.
No Membership List is available, but the Club was obviously growing!

The Club was by now purchasing additional Bridge supplies, necessary for the conduct of
the expanding activities and weekly play.

At the 1997 AGM, there were 14 members present, with 3 Apologies. Sue Middlebrook was
elected President. The other two Executives, A. Hewett & M. Waddell, were re-elected.
Thanks were again conveyed to the Parkes Leagues Club, for allowing the continued use of
the Pioneer Room (with no charges made); also to Gladys Chivers for Auditing for Club.

A decision was made for a Roster to be drawn up for 2 Members, on a weekly basis, to set
up bridge tables and organise afternoon tea - C. Fuller to be in charge.

Because of the regular weekly bridge play, the Bank Balance of the Club had been growing
steadily. A donation of $100 was made to the Children's Medical Research Institute.

The Christmas Party was held on Monday 15 December, at ?(M.Waddell or B. Laing)

In February 1998, the Committee introduced a charge of20c. for afternoon tea, payable
with the current table fee of $2.

A Membership Subscription List for 1997 shows 16 Club Members.

The Parkes Bridge Club applied for, and obtained, affiliations with the ABF and the NSW
Bridge Association during early 1998, and was allocated Club No.2-20S.

At the 1998 AGM, S. Middlebrook and A. Hewett were re-elected to the Executive
Positions. A 3-member Committee was elected; also 4 Convenors for Competition Days.
Membership had obviously increased - 17 were present at the Meeting, with S Apologies.
Afternoon tea arrangements were to continue, with C. Fuller again as organiser.

The Club by now required a Constitution or Set of Rules. The Committee undertook the
task of drawing up a Constitution, which was then to be presented to the Members for
approval, and ultimate adoption.

Annual Membership Fees were increased from $S.OO to $10.00.

A Motion that the Club continue the Draw-for-Partners for Tuesday's weekly Play was
carried by 13 to 4. An alternative was then proposed, but no action was taken.
Confirmation was received (8/1998) that the Australian Bridge Association covers Public
Liability Insurance for all affiliated Bridge Clubs.

An Extraordinary General Meeting was held on 10 November1998, with 18 Members
present, and S Apologies. The Constitution for the Parkes Bridge Club was approved.

A Motion to rescind the Minute concerning Draw-for-Partners from AGM of 16/6/1998,
was defeated.

Following the resignation of President S. Middlebrook, Isabel Orange was elected President
at a General Meeting on 24 Nov.1998. On a request from Parkes Shire Council, a donation
of $200 was made towards the development of a proposed Youth Centre; also $SO to the
Children's Medical Research Institute.

Enquiries were being made with view to purchase a quality Timer for Bridge play.
Prize money was increased to $2/each player (i.e. Table Fee returned)

A General Meeting was next held on 30 March 1999, at which the resignations of the
Sec/Treasurer and 2 Convenors were read and accepted. The position of Sec./Treas. was
divided. Elected were: Secretary- Jenny Freeman; Treasurer- Val Worthington, Point
Score Secretary - Julie King. Convenors elected were Muriel Waddell, Jan Shead, joining
remaining convenors, Bev Laing and Faye Davis.

A Clock-Timer had now been purchased and was in use.

The President, 1. Orange, attended the Official Opening of the Youth Centre on 16/311999.

The 1999 AGM showed the continued growth of the Club, with 23 Members present, and
4 Apologies. Elections results:- President: 1. Orange; Vice-Pres.: B. Laing;

Secretary: A. Hewett; Treasurer: V. Worthington; Publicity Officer: P. Ongley;

Committ.: J.King, S.Middlebrook, R.Middleton; Convenls: LArnheim, C.Fuller, M.Waddell
Dissention, arising and continuing, from the 1998 AGM proposed Motion on the Draw-for-
Partners change, was finally resolved on the President's casting vote.

A Regional Teams Day was held at the Parkes Leagues Club on 8 Augustl999, with a $20
Entry Fee which included lunch provided by the Leagues Club.

Another General Meeting on 28/9/99 dealt with the 'unofficial' Bridge Sessions being held
on Tuesday mornings. 18 Members present and 8 Apologies were recorded.

Teaching Sessions for Club Members were discussed. A Post Office Box for all Bridge
Club mail was to be acquired.

A Survey was to be organised by S. Middlebrook to gather Members' preferences for a
proposed weekly Pairs Day (i.e. partner of choice):- Wednesday/Thursday? - Day/Evening?
A Committee Meeting on 26/10/99 finally resolved the contentious Tuesday Morning
Bridge issue. Following the Survey, Members were notified that a weekly Thursday
afternoon Pairs Event would now be held, commencing on 4 December.

The Christmas Party was held on Tuesday 7 Dec at the Leagues Club.

The 2000 AGM was held on 27 June. The same Executive members as for the preceding
year were elected. The Club saw fit to change Rules on Membership Applications, Proxy
Votes and Payment of Annual Subscriptions.:-the Club's Financial Year to end on 30 June,
the AGM to be held in mid July, Annual Subscriptions due on July 1. In October, all Club
Members were given a copy of the revised Club Constitution. Mr.Terry Horan was again
Auditor for the Club.

Regional Teams Day was held on 6 August 2000 at the Parkes Leagues Club.

Donations were made to the Children's Medical Research Institute ($200), and to Lindsay
Morehouse to sponsor the formation of the Parkes Symphony Orchestra.($200).

At a General Meeting on 3111 0/00, a proposal was passed, that on the first Tuesday of each
month, Members may play with a partner of their choice, if they so wish.

The functioning of the Clock-Timer was causing some concern.

The Meeting decided that a Monday Night Bridge weekly Event commence at the Leagues
Club on Monday 6 November 2000, with partner of choice, $2 Table Fee.

Club members were saddened by the sudden death on 3 January 2001?, of foundation
member and Secretary/Treasurer, Agnes Hewett. She was an enthusiastic and tireless
worker for the Parkes Bridge Club. A secretary's briefcase, suitably inscribed, was
purchased as a Memorial to her. It was also agreed that a Plaque in honour of Agnes Hewett
be competed for annually by interested bridge players in the western area.

Rosemary Middleton was elected as Secretary.

A Committee Meeting on 27 March decided to hold the inaugural Agnes Hewett Memorial
Teams Day on 4 November 2001 (later changed to 7 Oct. 2001).

A Set of 5 Videos by Ron Klinger was purchased in June. - Also a Club Director's Book.
Several Bridge Tables were purchased.

The 2001 AGM Elections saw the same Executive re-elected :- President - 1. Orange,
Secretary - R. Middleton, Treasurer - V. Worthington

Donations for this year were:- Children's Medical Research -$200; Care Flight -$200.
V. Lloyd was thanked for organizing a mobile Notice Board, and also for making
adjustments etc. to Club table cloths.

Regional Teams Day on 5/8/2001 enjoyed increased attendance. The inaugural Agnes
Hewett Memorial Trophy Day was also successful.The Club Christmas Party was held at
the Leagues Club on 19 November, at 5.30 p.m. Finger food etc. was provided by Members.
Commencing 8 November, the Thursday afternoon Weekly Event was set as Partners Only.
A suggestion was made that high school students be offered Bridge lessons over a period of
three weeks in January 2002. (This offer was not taken up by any student).

Levels of skill for new players before playing in regular club events, was discussed at length
at a General Meeting on 512/2002. A month's trial for Thursday afternoon Events to be
moved to Wednesday afternoon commencing 3 April was approved; also the purchase of
two more Ron Klinger Videos. However at a Special Meeting on 14 March, the Motion on
the month's trial of a change in days for the Club afternoon Event, was rescinded.

The 2002 AGM was held on 23 August. Again, the Executive - 1. Orange, R.Middleton and
V. Worthington - were re-elected unopposed. With a very favourable Credit Balance, the
Club donated $500 each to Children's Medical Research and to Careflight.

Motions carried - That all Tuesday Club Events be Draw-for -Partners days; -that more
Videos, to approx. $160 cost.

The Tea Director is to organise a monthly roster for members to take Aft. Tea duties.
Advertising of the Bridge Club in the "Champion Post" was discussed, as an endeavour to
attract more players/members.

The Teams Day was held on 4 August 2002. However, the Agnes Hewett Memorial
Trophy Day was re-scheduled to 23 February 2003, because of the Club's two major Events
being programmed less than three months apart.

On 6 May 2003, the Committee set the Fee for Associate Membership to be half that of
Affiliated Membership The Club now listed 4 Assoc. Members.

The year 2003 also brought anticipation of the future sale and consequent change of
management, or at worst, the closure, of the Parkes Leagues Club, which had been the
venue for all Bridge Club events since its inception in 1993. Various venues were
investigated, e.g. Services & Citizens Club, Neighbourhood Centre, Senior Citizens' Hall,
Education Centre at Parkes District Hospital. It was agreed that the Bridge Club remain at
the Leagues Club until it closed, or was sold.

On 3 July, the 2003AGM was held. President 1. Orange stated that the Club was now
incorporated, and that insurance coverage was through the F ABC. Also that in future the
AGM will be held in the third week of July, and the Christmas Party will be on the first
Monday of December. Also, that the Agnes Hewett Memorial Day will continue to be held
in February each year. The Club now had 39 members and 3 associate members.

Election results: President - C. Collins; Secretary - J. Reilly; Treasurer - V. Lloyd.

The Club Funds increased substantially during the previous year, due to increased
membership bringing more players to the weekly events, and also to the successful staging
of the Club's two major events. Following a request for consideration of a donation to a
local charity, "Currajong Services", by B. Laing, a sum of $1 000 was voted. Donations
were also made to Children's Medical Research ($500), and to Careflight ($500).

Prizes in Club Weekly Events are to remain at: 1 st - $2 each player, 2nd - $1 each player.
Minutes of General & Committee Meetings are to be placed on the Notice Board.

During October, Promotion of Bridge again concerned the Committee, especially the
question as to why the Club had so few men members. The clarification of Correct
Procedures and the Rules of Play was also discussed.

Afternoon Tea was cancelled, partly because of the crowded venue - Club Events were now
being held in the small downstairs Committee Room of the Leagues Club. Dissatisfaction
was expressed by a number of Members about these arrangements. Enquiries began again
into finding a suitable alternative venue for the Club's weekly events.

The Christmas Party was held on 9112/03, at the Senior Citizens Hall, with catering being
done by Anne Steele.

At the beginning of 2004, a suitable venue for regular Club Events was still being sought.
Foundation Member, Sylvia Pearce, died on 20 November 2003. Sylvia had been presented
with the Club's first Life Membership in October. In Sylvia's memory, the Committee
approved the establishment of an in-Club Points Competition, to be assessed on a yearly
basis, from the Tuesday Draw-for -Partner Events. Sylvia earnestly supported and preferred
this format, maintaining that was(is) one of the strengths of the Parkes Club.

The Agnes Hewett Day was held 28/3/03, because of difficulties with the February date, the
venue being the Pioneer Room of the Leagues Club, catered for by the LC caterers.

It was proposed that records of the work/involvement of past members Agnes Hewett and
Sylvia Pearce be made and placed in the Club Records.

The Senior Citizens Community Hall was now favoured as Club Event Venue, but some
further difficulties had emerged. Two members then made enquiries about the Father Pat
Murray Centre. Subsequent inspection and consideration of the proposed terms and
conditions of hiring, led to the acceptance of the proposal. Following the confirmation of
the agreement with the Catholic Parish Office, the Club decided to commence holding all
weekly Events at the Fr. Pat Murray Centre on Monday 17 May 2004.

A letter stating the Club's intended departure from the Leagues Club on 13 May, was
handed to their Office on that day, and all Bridge Club property was removed promptly.
Early problems arose with perceived overlapping of some bookings of the Fr. Pat Centre.
The matter was resolved through the Parish Secretary, and a further letter, sent on request,
set out the details of booking times for the Bridge Club on the three days per week.

Tea/coffee was again being supplied to Members at no additional cost. The President
arranged for a short 'tea-break' for all players at a designated time on Thursdays.

Two Club representatives attended a Seminar on Incorporated Associations conducted by the
Department of Fair Trading on 24 May.

The Regional Teams Day was held on 1 August 2004, at the Coventry Room of the Parkes
Shire Council, with catering done by Anne Steel.

At the 2004 AGM on 8 July, President C. Collins stated that membership had increased to
forty Affiliated and three Associate Members. However, there was a need to promote
Bridge and new members, perhaps by again providing a series of lessons for beginners.
Election resulted in the same Executive as for 2003. The total number of office-bearers was
reduced to nine, in compliance with the Constitution.

Table Fees for all Club weekly events were set at $3 per player.

Donations of$500 each were made to Children's Medical Research and Careflight.
The Teams Day held on 1/8/204 was very successful financially and socially.

The Club participated in the G.N.O.T. Competition.

An Appeal for a special wheelchair for a local man, resulted in the Club donating $1000 to
the Fund.

The Christmas Party was held at the Fr. Pat Murray Centre on 29 November, with catering
being again done by Anne Steel.

At the beginning of2005, the Club confirmed the Table Fee for all weekly events at $3 pp,

but dropped the Tea Money charge of 5Oc., although the Room Fee was increased.

The Sylvia Pearce Memorial Competition's Conditions and time-frame were clarified.
Following an offer in September 2004, Gill Ross presented a Shield for a Club Competition.
The Club Points Scoring was now being computerised by Points Secretary, J. King.
Progressive Quarterly Scores were to be placed on Notice Board ..

The Club participated in the "Bridge for Brains" Competition in May, and the Autumn and
Spring Australia-Wide Pairs.

The Agnes Hewett Day was held on 6 March, at the Coventry Room.

Bridge Lessons for members, with a professional teacher, were again discussed.

At the 2005 AGM, B. Laing was elected President, with J. Reilly as Secretary and V. Lloyd
as Treasurer. Outgoing President, C. Collins, was leaving Parkes in a few months' time.
There were 26 Members present, with 5 Apologies.

Donations of$500 each were made to Children's Medical research and Rural Fire Service.
Club Members participated in the Australia-Wide Novice Pairs in July.

The Regional Teams Day was held on 7 August, with a very satisfactory financial return.

The Aust.- Wide Spring Pairs Competition was held in October at the Seniors Community
Centre, in Cooke Park.

A set of steel drawers was purchased for storage of Club items - books, videos etc.
Life Membership was presented to Linda Berkeley on 22 September.

The inaugural Gill Ross Intra-Club Competition was held on Saturday 19 November, with
Gill returning to Parkes to participate.

A new Clock-Timer was purchased in December, and was proving 'most satisfactory'.

The Christmas Party was held on 28 November at the Fr. Pat Centre, catering being done by
"The Scattered Chook"!

Procedures and conduct of some weekly Club Events was causing some concerns, and the
President and Director drew Members' attention to Correct Bridge Play and Procedures.

From March 2006, the Results for all weekly Club Events were being recorded as
Percentage Scores. Initially these were published on the Notice Board, but it was then
decided to record Results in a Book available for Members' perusal at all Club events.

V. Worthington, P.Ongley and M. Carroll undertook the Scoring of Results for the Club in
April, due to the illness of Points Secretary J. King.

A special Bridge Event, held as part of the Inter-town (Forbes/Parkes) Sports Challenge for
nominated Charities, realised a 'rounded' sum of $350. The Agnes Hewett Day was held on
19 March. Lunch was not provided. Members supplied morning and afternoon tea as usual.
Some Committee Members made enquiries about the possible replacement of bridge table
cloths with a set of cloths of uniform colour.

At the AGM for 2006, held on 27 July, the Executive of B. Laing, J.ReiUy & V. Lloyd, was
returned as President, Secretary and Treasurer respectively. The position of Points Secretary
was added to the Committee, with V. Worthington being elected.

Despite an increase in Affiliation Fees, annual Club Membership Fees were not changed.
At this time, the Club listed 39 Affiliated Members and 10 Associate Members.

Club finances continued to be most satisfactory. Donations of$500 each were made to
Children's Medical Research, Careflight and Rural Fire Service.

The Meeting decided that the Mitchell Movement be used at al weekly Club Events where
there are 5 or 5+ Tables.

The Prize Money was to remain at 1 st - $2, 2nd - $1 each player
Arrangements for Club Bridge Lessons were still being negotiated ..

The Meeting agreed to the purchase of a. Laptop Computer and Case, and a Printer, for Club
use, especially for the Scoring of Results for all Events. A suitable computer Scoring
Programme was also to be purchased, in consultation with C. Collins (in Sydney).

V. Worthington, with input from J. Freeman was appointed to score Tuesday and Thursday
Events, and P.Ongley would score the Monday event.

Twenty-one Teams participated in the Regional Teams Day on 13 August.

The Gill Ross Trophy Day was held on Saturday 18 November, with numbers down from
last year's event.

The Christmas Party held at the Fr. Pat Centre on 27 November proved to be an outstanding
social success.

Difficulties with Procedures at Club Events, especially in the recording of Scores on the
Travelling Sheets, prompted fairly regular 'pep-talks' by the President and the Points
Secretary.

The Club was deeply saddened by the death on 21 October, of Julie King, a loyal
foundation Member, an encouraging teacher of Bridge, long time Points Scorer, and a
skillful player.

At a Special Meeting, the Club decided that, as a fitting Memorial to Julie, a donation of
$500 would be made to the Andrew Olle Memorial Trust, established for brain cancer and
neurosurgery research, at the Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney.

At a special afternoon tea during the regular Thursday Club Event on 14 December, Pres. 13.
Laing presented Julie's husband, Fred, with a Statement of the Memorial Donation.

In a spirit of friendship and encouragement, and an overall enthusiasm for the game of

Bridge, the Parkes Bridge Club continues on into 2007 .