Presidents Report 2023

The Committee year has seen a glimpse of normality with no Covid lockdowns
and table numbers consistent. An average of 9 for a Thursday and 6 on a
Saturday. Supervised play on a Tuesday also being well supported.
Two new members were elected to Committee, Leigh Dunne and Margaret
Whitefield, welcome additions to our team.
Our first function was Cup Day which saw 20 very enthusiastic members enjoy
a chicken and salad lunch, pavlova and champagne, as well as bridge playing
punctuated with Cup Sweeps. It is on the calendar again this year. The
Christmas lunch was held at The Grand with 25 members in attendance. Friday
pizza nights also well attended during daylight saving.
BBC currently has 97 members that includes 4 associate members. Of that
membership, there are currently 52 active members, 14 inactive, 31 members
who play occasionally. On-line bridge playing has had an dire influence on
player numbers in face-to-face play.
2023 saw the passing of Marjorie Sargeant a long-time member of our Club,
and ill health is a factor for some other members, we wish them well.
The Lease with the City of Ballarat expired in 2021 and after some negotiations
a new Lease has been secured for 15 years (3x5) which now includes a
maintenance agreement, plus a reduction in the annual rental. The EGV have
also signed a new Lease.
The City of Ballarat is planning to upgrade our toilet facilities with new plans
drawn up. Upgraded facilities will service the needs of the Croquet Club well as
the Ballarat Bridge Club. It is anticipated that if Government funding is
allocated to the project that work will commence 2024/25.
Aims for 2023 were to improve the quality of bridge playing and to develop a
better understanding of bridge rules. Martin Willcox has conducted 4
workshops and a further 2 are scheduled.
Clare and I held bridge lessons earlier in the year, these proved very successful
with 14 participants, most of whom have joined the Club and play on a
Tuesday. The next session begins on Saturday October 21st. Members are asked
to promote this.
Financially the Club is in an enviable position.
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Members have been given a “free day” once a month. The Club financially
supports Nationwide Pairs (now played twice a month); Supervised Play on
Tuesday; the six Martin Willcox workshops; refreshments after play Thursday
and Saturday; the Christmas Luncheon and other social events. With the
reintroduction of daylight saving the Friday night Pizza nights can now resume.
The next 12 months will see vinyl floor coverings replaced and the painting of
the EGV room, hall area and storerooms (these were not painted when the
main room was). Also planned is the removal of the stove in the kitchen and
the installation of a smaller electric domestic appliance. The chairs and
tablecloths in the main playing room are also due for replacement.
An ageing membership and fewer player numbers will add to the financial
costs incurred in the general running of the bridge Club in the future.
Although we have a new Lease agreement with the City of Ballarat, that does
not guarantee permanent tenure of the facility. Funds must be held in reserve
should such an occurrence manifest itself.
Many members volunteered to contribute to the innumerable list of ongoing
tasks that keep the Club functioning smoothly. My thanks go to: Vicki Bennett
(assists with the board dealing), the Directors- Peter Wells, John Campbell,
Diane Bulman and Anne Fennell. Anne Woods (a new member) who is
responsible for the updating of information on the website, Geoff Dwyer
always ready to deal with any minor maintenance issues, as well as being
employed as the BBC cleaner. Kath Connors and Pat Fisken have been mentors
to the new players on a Tuesday.
We have enjoyed the results of work done on the garden and surrounds. Pat
Fisken being director and motivator with the assistance of Nick our paid
gardener; and Geoff Dwyer for upgrading and repainting the Ballarat Bridge
Club sign – a time consuming and arduous job.
As President my role would be more challenging if I didn’t have the support
from the Committee.
Trish Farney - Treasurer Trish has had a particularly difficult year juggling the
illness of her husband (he passed away on September 15th) and the role of
Treasurer. However, the reports and financial aspects were on time, concise
and clear for all.
Kaye McFarlane - Secretary Kaye is responsible for the dealing of the boards,
a time-consuming exercise without which the Club could not function. Kaye is
responsible for the dissemination of correspondence, email and postal,
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minutes and documents for meetings, queries from the public and members,
updating of the data base. The most complex of Committee roles.
Bruce Morley - Vice President Bruce as Director is responsible for keeping up
to date the results of play, uploading information to the ABF and Bridge
Victoria, keeping abreast of any upgrades to Compscore 3. He has also been
instrumental in the success of Supervised Play on Tuesdays and assisting with
the lessons and new players.
General Committee -
Ian Gunn Ian assists on Thursday and is responsible for the purchase of
member badges and other general tasks such as assisting with the Tuesday
Supervised Play.
Mary Oswell Mary has been integral to the registration and greeting of
members on game days, recording attendances and payments (made easier
with the Club vouchers). Mary is retiring from the Committee, and I wish her
well.
Margaret Whitefield Margaret handles the welfare aspects of members,
sending the appropriate cards, kitchen duties and assisting Kaye with the
dealing of the cards.
Colleen Ludbrook Colleen is part of the registration and greeting team, she
has assisted with lessons and mentoring on Tuesdays. Colleen is retiring from
Committee, I thank her for her commitment.
Leigh Dunne Leigh has been an asset to the team: particularly OH&S
compliance; council liaison; support for Supervised Play on Tuesdays; and
always available when required for setting up and “putting back” after Club
events.
Clare Beer My right hand, my bridge partner without whom I would be lost.
Clare is a tireless worker for this Club. Clare is kitchen manager, and
coordinator of supplies and alcohol with Annette. Clare and I together have
given the bridge lessons for the past 3 years and also mentor the new members
each Tuesday.
Annette Pearce Annette has responsibility with Clare for kitchen duties which
include the huge task - the purchase of supplies for member and Club events.
She is a qualified Safe Food Handler and holds a current RSA qualification.
Annette also helps coordinate the social functions.
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Brian Hassett As Club Mediator is a valuable addition to Committee as is his
medical advice when received.
There were 3 events held at the BBC this year. Ballarat/Bendigo Ashes,
Western Region Friendly Pairs and BBC Congress. Very successful events with
positive feedback from the attendees BUT there was little interest from Ballarat
members.
The Committee is looking at the viability of intra Club competition for 2024,
particularly the Congress.
The sustainability of hosting these events is questionable.
I am standing for the Presidency for another year, it will be my 5th and 8th year
on Committee. I look forward to your support for myself and the Committee.
Anne Beck
President