President's Report 2025
The BBC Committee year began with the same Committee as the previous year, an indication of a cohesive team. Each member has a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities.
Bruce Morley -VP, Director and Master Point Data Management - Bruce has embraced this role with enthusiasm. He has attended Director workshops related to Compscore 3 and liaises with both the ABF and Bridge Victoria to keep abreast of any changes and upgrades. Every Thursday and Saturday and often on a Tuesday he is at the Club, running the sessions. Kaye McFarlane – Secretary – Kaye manages emails, requests, and other responsibilities associated with the role. Kaye is also responsible for dealing the cards required for each session, assisted by Vicki Bennett. The Club has purchased a new Dealing Machine to streamline this process.
Trish Farney- Treasurer- the task of managing the Club’s finances, reports, payments, reconciliations, of both finances and table fee vouchers are included in this role.
Clare Beer- my bridge partner, co-lesson instructor, Tuesday Supervised Play assistant, front desk welcomer for members! The list is endless; many BBC members do not realise the contribution Clare makes to ensure the smooth operation of the Club.
Geoff Dwyer- front desk helper, maintenance duties within the building, person responsible for the alarm monitoring response, BBC employed cleaner.
Ian Gunn- assists Bruce on a Thursday, assists with supervised play on a Tuesday, responsible for purchase of name badges.
Leigh Dunne- assists on a Tuesday, responsible for Health and Safety, liaises with City of Ballarat Council for maintenance related to the building, Club photographer.
Margaret Whitefield- responsible for member welfare, assists with card dealing and general support of the Club’s operations.
Anne Woods- her knowledge in IT has been invaluable to the Club, keeping the website up to date with notices, reports and articles.
Annette Pearce- purchaser of supplies and kitchen duties. Annette is retiring from committee concentrating on two knee ops! I thank her for her involvement and wish her well in recovery.
Brian Hassett- Club mediator and Doctor. Brian represented the Club at the Bridge Victoria Presidents Day, his report can be found in the minutes of June.
Thanks to members Diane Bulman as a Director on a Saturday; Anne Fennell and Peter Wells have stepped in when required. Richard Chivell has ensured that the weekly competition results are sent to the Courier for publication. Linda O’Hara initiated the introduction, formatting, ordering and distribution of the BBC windcheaters - another way to help market and advertise our Club, a great initiative.
The Committee is only a small part in the success of the BBC; it is the contribution of members who make the Club what it is.
2025 saw the 40th anniversary of the BBC and this occasion was celebrated with a dinner at the Ballarat Golf Club on Friday July 11th quite a milestone for the game of bridge!
Other social events during the year have included- a pizza night, games night, Cup Day, Christmas luncheon, significant birthday afternoon teas, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, free game days.As a marketing initiative and promotion exercise for the upcoming lessons, and for the Ballarat Bridge Club, a stand was set up at the Federation University Open day on Wednesday March 5th and bridge was played all day. I was accompanied by Bruce Morley, Geoff Dwyer, Leigh Dunn, Ian Gunn and Richard Chivell with Bridge Victoria’s Club Development Representative Biance Gold and son Taylin. Eleven students indicated their interest and were invited to participate in free lessons. It was a successful event that was promoted as a model for other clubs in the April edition of Bridge Victoria Bulletin.
Lessons were commenced in March by Clare and me, with 10 recipients completing and joining the Club, instruction has continued Tuesdays with Supervised play for those who wish it.
BBC has continued to provide ongoing competition play in a social setting for its members. Members have generally shown limited interest in physically participating in competition opportunities at other clubs, while Online bridge opportunities have satisfied the competition needs of some members. The Ashes between Bendigo and Ballarat was cancelled, and the Friendly Pairs Western Region has been postponed from August to November. Table numbers at Ballarat have remained constant 8-10 on a Thursday, 5-6 on a Saturday and 4-5 on a Tuesday.
The City of Ballarat Council has been instrumental in two upgrades this year, the removal of asbestos in the foyer and under the eaves, and the replacement of all lighting in the two main rooms with LED globes. This resulted in closures on both occasions.
Membership is currently 97. We said farewell this year to John Campbell, Marilyn Bradford, Graham Fosse and Pat Fisken. A significant loss to the Club.
I thank you all for your support, I will continue for another year; we work so well as a team, it makes the role easy.
Anne Beck ,
President
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