2021 Presidents Report

President’s Report 2021

I have now completed two terms as President of the BBC, it has proven to be quite a challenge. COVID-19 has been part of our lives for most of that time and it looks like being there for some time to come.
I commenced the second term while we were still in lockdown and was encouraged by the enthusiasm of the Committee in managing finances, motivating members, and maintaining the building and garden.
Two new members joined the Committee in 2020, Bruce Morley and Diane Bulman, and in April 2021, Colleen Ludbrook came on board. All are valuable assets to our team. Rosemary Kinna took over the role of Treasurer, no mean feat.
Bruce completed his Responsible Serving of Alcohol Certificate giving us another registered person, as well as Clare and myself.
One of the concerns we had as a committee was the burgeoning cost of electricity whist the building was vacant. Despite all the appliances being turned off or unplugged it made little difference to the size of our bills. Both Powercor and AGL were approached and eventually in late October 2020 the Smart Meter was replaced and we received a discounted account for the 6 months we were in lockdown. Bruce worked tirelessly on this, as well as looking into a better deal with the Telstra account.
Contact was made with both the VBA and ABF to have capitation fees reduced due to little or no play, and a discount was received. A rebate was also received from the Liquor Licencing Board, and the City of Ballarat for Food Registration.
New Year’s Eve at the Western Hotel was a success. It represented the first time we had been able to get together as a group for many months.
On Thursday 25th February this year we were able to resume face-to-face sessions after almost 12 months in lockdown. With a comprehensive COVID-19 Safety plan, a limit of eight tables and the compulsory wearing of masks we were able to recommence play. There have been three more lockdowns since then; face-to-face sessions have resumed but with limited numbers.
In March 2012, the Sebastopol library began an initiative called “Libraries After Dark” and the BBC was approached to showcase the game of Bridge on a Thursday evening. Clare, Bruce, Geoff, Ian and I supported the initiative until the lockdown in June. However, the initiative did provide us with a new member Annette Pearce (now mentored with Anne Smail). The program is scheduled to begin once restrictions are lifted, when we will participate once more.
During the 2020 lockdown we received inquiries from the public interested in learning how to play Bridge and the possibility of Bridge lessons. Clare and I had planned to commence lessons for beginners before COVID-19 intervened and so with four participants began lessons on Saturday June 19th. We are both retired primary teachers, and hence have plenty of teaching experience. In addition, we have completed the ABF Bridge Teaching Accreditation. We have been ably assisted by Colleen Ludbrook. Lessons have continued each Saturday (when not in lockdown) and as a result the BBC has gained three new
members who are keen to join our ranks when play is able to resume. Supervised play will begin on a Tuesday afternoon.
Play at the Bridge club has been suspended many times during the year and this has made planning extremely difficult. All the tournaments have been cancelled due to the uncertainty created. The only red point events have been online through BBO, VBA, ABF, BSW.
The aim for 2022 would be to resume the competition with other clubs, Western Region and Melbourne Clubs through the Congress, Ashes, Friendly Pairs etc plus participate once more in Nationwide Pairs on a Thursday. This is dependent on the lifting of restrictions, and the roadmap out of COVID-19 being as predicted. Resuming the camaraderie with our compatriots is paramount to the continued success of the BBC.
No play means no income, but it doesn’t mean no bills. Expenditure still occurs and needs facilitating. The committee deliberated long and hard over this conundrum. Do we run down the capital or increase the fees? The committee decided to increase the table fees from $5 to $7 (fees had not been increased for at least 8 years).
A voluntary voucher for Bridge sessions has been introduced. This is purchased by the upfront payment of $60.00 for 10 sessions. The benefit of this is threefold; easier payment for members, reduced money handling by Clare, and a saving of $1.00 per game for participants.
The Committee has also decided that the proposal to increase the Membership Subscription and the introduction of a Joining Fee be postponed. The uncertainty associated with the resumption of play was a significant consideration when making this decision.
The BBC could not function without a team of helpers both on and off committee, and thanks go to all who have contributed.
● The Directors at each Bridge session have done a sterling job. Peter Wells has stepped in and joined both John Campbell and Rosemary Kinna.

● Thanks to Bruce Morley (now recovering from knee surgery) for accepting responsibility for Masterpoints/ABF and Compscore. Noemi McKinnon has supported and guided him throughout this learning process. As well, he has been the member contact person to book playing sessions each week (essential because of the limited numbers allowed due to COVID-19 restrictions), and much more.

● We unfortunately lost two valued BBC members this year, Lorna Holmes in October 2020, and Gayle O’Loughlan in April 2021. Gayle was on Committee. Both are missed by all of us.

● We have been fortunate that the building has required little maintenance this year. The City of Ballarat has repaired the roof, but all other work has been undertaken by Geoff Dwyer, our employed cleaner and maintenance person.

● Thanks to Pat Fisken who oversees the garden and allocates tasks to Geoff. He mows the lawns and is responsible for the upkeep of the garden.

● Thanks to Kaye who has kept the minutes concise and extremely informative, and has been instrumental in disseminating information to members, plus keeping the data base up to date. Kaye (with helpers, Kath Connors, Maureen Christopher, Elizabeth Hastie and new recruit Vicki Bennett) is responsible for the dealing and maintenance of the boards and cards. An integral component of Club Bridge.
● Thanks to Clare who has collected monies, purchased refreshments, assisted with the lessons, and put up with me as a playing partner.

● Thanks to Rosemary who looked after the accounts and banking in addition to performing her role as Director each week. Rosemary is retiring from Committee, and we thank her for the hard work she has given to the BBC as Treasurer over the last 12 months.

● Thanks to Ian Gunn for assisting Bruce, Geoff and Clare at the Sebastopol Library and being a contributor to Committee. ● Thanks to Diane for keeping the website up to date. Unfortunately, she has been unable to attend the Bridge Club as much as she would have liked due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

● Thanks to Helen who looks after the well-being of members with Best Wishes cards etc. when and where required. Her husband Arthur (a former BBC member) passed away in August and our sympathies are with her.

● Thanks to Noemi who assisted Bruce in the transition required to take over the Bridge results. Noemi is stepping down from Committee. We thank her for her contribution and wish her well for any further ventures.

● Thanks to our designated COVID-19 Officer, Colleen Ludbrook who assisted Clare and me with the lessons to our new Bridge members. Once play resumes she will also mentor one of the new members.
As Rosemary and Noemi are stepping down from the Committee, we look forward to welcoming two new members,
One very positive outcome from COVID-19 has been the use of technology by members. 94% of members have an email address, this alone makes communication easier. Many have also embraced Zoom, Tik Tok, Facetime, Facebook, Skype, BlueJeans, Google Meet etc, etc, as a means of contact with family, friends and members. Online Bridge has become the means of furthering Bridge skills and a spending leisure time.
Where to from here? The question must be asked, we currently have 90 financial members, with 50 who have returned to play where possible.
Member comments to me have been “it’s not the same” or “we used to do this or that…”. Unfortunately, the reality seems to be that it will never be the same as it was before COVID-19. COVID-19 has changed the way we live – perhaps forever.
However, we can move forward with hope. We have a wonderful membership, venue and facilities, a diligent Committee and with a positive attitude and commitment from everyone we can continue to be a Bridge club to be proud of.
The Committee will continue to prioritise the health and safety of the BBC members. We are investigating several measures to reduce the chance of catching COVID-19. Room ventilation and air filtration to improve air quality and reduce the possibility of airborne transmission of COVID-19 are a priority. The wearing of masks, which is likely to be an ongoing mandatory requirement, social distancing, and vaccination are all necessary to maintain healthy indoor spaces.
Spring is here, and with summer approaching, the social aspect of Bridge playing is vital for our health and wellbeing. Hopefully we will be able to leave our homes and return to face-to-face play soon. Despite the challenges, we look forward to continuing to develop and
grow in the 2021/2022 year at Ballarat Bridge Club with the eighty-seven full members and four associate members in our membership