Monday 12 December 2022 saw a crowded, happy and enjoyable celebration of another successful year of bridge. The event started with the presentation of awards and certificates (pictured and listed below). A delicious lunch followed, ending with a relaxed game of casual bridge.

The latter included a table of two of our highest masterpoint-ranked players alongside two new members who had not a masterpoint between them! It was great to see the happy mix - we look forward to our 'newbies' continuing with such force in 2023.

A very happy birthday to GLBC's oldest and one of our most treasured members, Jacqui Jennings turned 98 recently. 

After a hard-fought two-week competition, congratulations go to this year's Club Pairs champions Janet Flanagan and Robert Palasthy (pictured). Second and third placegetters were respectively: Judy Scott and Margaret Boniface; & Pauline Erby and Lance Coffey. Also pictured are our biggest grinners (but wooden spooners), Judy King and Shirley Craig.

Well done to all competitors!

Due to popular demand, a more casual version of our usual Christmas party returns on Monday 12 December starting at 11:30am. Trophies and certificates will be presented then a light lunch - finger food etc will be followed by a game of bridge. Ladies are asked to bring a plate - please add your name and wonderful offering (savoury/sweet) to the list on the clubhouse noticeboard. Gentlemen are asked to bring some liquid refreshments to share, non- and alcoholic are both acceptable.

Over the weekend of 29 to 30 October 2022, GLBC fielded 3 teams in the Mid Coast region’s Grand National Open Teams (GNOT) finals, with one team placing a strong first in a very competitive field. Congratulations go to Megan Grant, Barbara Williams, Margaret Boniface and Pauline Erby (results).

On Wednesday 26 October 2022, GLBC will take part in the 3rd Annual Australia-Wide Restricted Pairs event organised by the Australian Bridge Magazine. This is a national event for players with fewer than 300 masterpoints (as at end of August 2022). See below for the good stuff on offer! Novice players are of course welcome to take part - a separate leaderboard and additional prizes for the highest-placed Novice pairs are included.

Congratulations go to Gary Marr, this year's winner of the Greg Simpson Trophy -- an annual event for players under 100 Master Points. Over two rounds (15 September and 13 October), each player must compete with a different partner to qualify. Gary scored a total of 113.26 with Chritine Dunn as runner up on 111.71. Well done all!

Sadly, we lost one of our most delightful and much-loved members this week: Susan Gogarty passed away, aged 78 years. A highly intelligent and charming person, Susie joined our bridge club in 2008 and loved the game instantly, not to mention the company and friendship she found with us. Susie became Vice -President of Great Lakes Bridge Club.

Memorial Day Pairs competition winners

Congratulations go to: Pauline Erby & Gil Clarke in N/S; and Sharon Bull & Nikki Taylor in E/W. Run over two weeks, the two winning pairs maintained top placings each round to become overall winners, with the rest of the field yapping at their heels. Well done all.

Labour Day Pairs competition

Due to a reduction in Red Point events this year, the Labour Day Pairs event on Monday 10 October 2022 will now be a Green Point event, and not Red as previously advertised.

Sadly, another valued member of our club passed away last week. Ken Bowditch (1933 - 2022) was a navigator in the Royal Airforce, moving to Australia with his wife, Doreen to work in the Information Technology field. The couple retired to Tallwoods and then ken moved to Golden Ponds when his wife passed away.