Jan Lawless (née Janet Thomson) lived a full and energetic 99 years. A strong and intelligent woman who let nothing get her down, her energy, humour, kindness and indomitable spirit were evident in her many endeavours over a long lifetime. She was involved in our local community for almost 50 years, living in her home on the remaining section of her once-73 acre farm on Failford Road.

The below was recently emailed to GLBC members and is republished here for general information only

Tuesday bridge: From 1 June 2021, our club will be trialling an extra session of bridge on Tuesdays, start time 9:00am. We look forward to welcoming our new bridge players from recent lessons, although this session is open to everyone. A minimum of 5 tables (10 pairs) registered each Tuesday is required.  Please enter your pair's names via the Entry tab above - as per usual.

Congratulations to our 3 recently promoted members - Fran Carroll (to Gold Life Master); Margaret Boniface (to Bronze National Master); and George Robinson (to Club Master). Well done all!

It was great to see a (relatively) large and friendly but definitely competitive turnout for our recent two-week Autumn Pairs event. Congratulations go to N/S pair Fran & Wayne Carroll, and E/W pair Ann Kynaston & Bronwyn Boehm on winning 1st place.

2nd and 3rd place winners respectively were: N/S - , Janet Flanagan & Robert Palasthy and Gil Clarke & Pauline Erby; E/W - Les Marks & Norma Bousfield and Ken Bridges & Uve Anderson. Well done all! Full results below.

A sign that things are slowly getting back to 'normal'! The Australian Bridge Federation (ABF) have announced they will run their GNOT in 2021. (See below for general GNOT information.)

Our club will run two qualifying heats - offering gold masterpoints - on Wednesdays 19 & 26 May 2021, starting at 1pm. We are eligible to send at least two teams to the regional finals in Port Macquarie in/near July 2021.We have a 14 table limit so organise and register your team (up to 5 players) soon. 

Our ever-considerate committee has decided to reintroduce morning and afternoon teas during our bridge games - all while remaining COVID safe. Sensible practices remain, such as keeping social distance, returning to our seat to have our tea/coffee, and staying out of the kitchen area. We are also asked to return our own cup/mug to the bench as soon as possible (and not handle another's cup/mug). Refreshments will be served as per below:

From 1 April 2021:

• GLBC will resume running Special Events similar to last year's calendar. Unfortunately we will not be printing a diary as in previous years, so keep an eye on the right sidebar on this page for specific dates. Registration for each date is essential (click on sidebar link or see 'Entry' above). There will be a 15 table limit.

  • Upcoming events - Mon 5 April Presidents Trophy; Wed 7 April Master Pairs; Mon 12 April Easter Pairs; Wed 14 & 21 April Autumn Pairs; Mon 19 April Anzac pairs.

The information below has been emailed to GLBC members

Country Teams 2021:  After a COVID-related hiatus, the NSW Bridge Association (NSWBA) is resuming their annual Country Teams competition - the dates for our competition are 2 Wednesdays on the 24th and 31st March 2021. Register your 4-member team above (see Entry) to ensure your place, and if you have any questions, Sylvia or Ken are happy to be consulted.

It has been brought to my attention that Mr Google is giving some Sub -Options when asked to search for "Great Lakes Bridge Club”.

These include "COVID Events”, and “Results for Great Lakes Bridge….” (See: Read More) which will take you to screens showing incorrect information.

My advice is to always select the major heading “Great Lakes Bridge Club” to open the site then use the Main Menu to proceed to your choice of information.

A bridge player for about 40 years (and still going strong!), a Life Master and a founding member of Great lakes Bridge Club (GLBC), Jan Lawless turns 99 this week. Jan’s energy, humour and indomitable spirit continues to inspire us all, and we’re grateful for her long involvement in and work for the club. We wish her many happy returns on her birthday and many more to come!

A special thank you goes to Ann Kynaston for the beautiful cake!