2025 NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER
KATE NORTH - LIFE MEMBER
Kate North was awarded a Life Membership at the recent Annual General Meeting in recognition of her ongoing contributions to the Club. Kate is a past President of the Club, she has served on the Management Committee, and continues to serve on the Tournament Committee.
Kate is always at the club as evidenced by her winning the Patron’s Cup for the past eight years! Kate is always helping out. We play bridge on her table cloths every day, she waters the garden, captains in the teams of four, helps with congresses and catering. Kate's husband, Roger, also helps out as a handy man. Thank you Kate.
Kate North with outgoing President Mark Doust (left) and incoming President Veronica Ntoumenopoulos (right)
WABC COMMITTEE
The Club’s new Committee of Management is Veronica Ntoumenopoulos (President); Jacqui Ecclestone (Secretary); Chris Spartalis (Treasurer); Jodie Basham; Robin Challenor; Nola Cruickshank; Deirdre Doepel; Brian Embleton & Martin Doran (Executive Officer).
Many thanks to Mark Doust, the outgoing President, and to Jan French & Mark Glaser, outgoing Committee members.
Sub Committees and Other Roles
The Club also has a number of Sub-Committees, working groups and other roles. If you have any interest in knowing more about any of these: Tournament; Finance; Library and Membership sub-Committees; the Gardening Gang; the Hospitality Group; helping in the Bar; or being a Tournament Organizer or Assistant then please seek out a current Committee member to find out more.
The President’s Award
This award, determined by submissions from Club members and presented at the Annual Prize-Giving, is for a Club member or members who readily and enthusiastically help around the club, exhibit a positive attitude, and willingly contribute to the the club’s well-being.
If you wish to nominate someone you feel is a worthy recipient of this award then please emailing the office, filling out a suggestion box form, or speak to a Committee member.
Charity Day 2026
WABC has a commitment to supporting other not-for-profit organisations that are involved in care-giving and providing support in our community, especially for those who are disadvantaged. Any member may nominate a charity for consideration and the Club is seeking recommendations for the 2026 Charity Day (Friday 8 May). More information here.
Realmark Urban - Bridget Robertson
The Club has a new sponsor, Bridget Robertson of Realmark Urban who will be at this week’s Fabulous Friday.
In Bridge, as in property, it isn’t the cards you’re dealt… it’s how you play them.
Sometimes the winning move is knowing when to bid… and when to hold.
Great partnerships win games, and secure great sales results. So, if you’re curious about timing, market position, or your next move…play your hand with the right partner.
I’m Bridget, yes, aptly named.
I bridge conversations, quietly and strategically, for Residents of Swanbourne & the Western Suburbs.
Only bid big when the hand and the market align. When that moment arrives…I’d love to help you make the winning play.
Bridget Robertson, your best move in real estate.
If you are thinking of selling or simply curious to know what your home is worth in the current market, Bridget would love to be of service.
Realmark Western Suburbs M:0401 838 317 E: BRobertson@realmark.com.au
PLANNING AHEAD
Melbourne Cup
Tuesday 4 November. The Club will be open at 10am. There will be sweeps and a prize for the best hat. Just turn up and enjoy the day.
Fabulous Friday
Friday 7 November afternoon session and afterwards in the social area.
Jackpot Finals
These start on Saturday 8 November and finish Friday 14 November. You must have qualified to play in the finals (see lists at the club or online)and it helps the directors if you pre-enter on the club website. For the rest of us there is normal duplicate running alongside the jackpots. The Wednesday night jackpot is a little different with the winners being the highest placed qualifiers.
WABC Christmas Congress
Runs from Friday 28 November to Sunday 30 November. A choice of one or two session events. Enter on myABF or pick up a paper entry form at the club or see Martin or one of the directors. There is a normal duplicate session on Friday morning only. No Friday morning supervised session.
WABC Open Day
Wednesday 3 December, 3:30 - 5:30pm. Champagne, canapes and bridge at the West Australian Bridge Club. A chance for your friends, family or in fact anyone to come along and either learn about bridge or play a few hands and find out more about the Club. Please register, preferably by email (bridge@wabridgeclub.com.au or lessons@wabridgeclub.com.au) if attending. We will need some volunteers to play with the attendees or help with those who have not played before, if you can assist, please contact Jodie Basham in person using either of the above emails.
WABC Teams of Three
Sunday 7 December. A very popular event for those with less than 150 Masterpoints. Enter as a Team of Three and get a Master as the fourth player. Two sessions, 9:30am & 1:15pm.
WABC Christmas Party & Prize Giving
Tuesday 9 December. Play bridge at 1:15pm. The Prizes and Party start at 4:30pm. Free for club members, $25 for non member partners. Please register if you are attending, the book is in the hallway.
JOAN BUTTS WORKSHOPS
Pencil this into your diaries. One of Australia’s best known teachers is coming to WABC to run four morning workshops. FEBRUARY 2026, Friday 20 - Monday 23. More details coming.
WINNERS
WABC Mixed Pairs Championship
Won by Belinda Taranto & Tim Wright from Brenda Campbell & Jonathan Free.
Tim Wright & Belinda Taranto
Jonathan Free & Brenda Campbell
WABC Restricted Teams Championships
Won by CAMPBELL (Brenda Campbell, Eve Clarkson, Jeff Veling & Sandy Veling) from MOLLER (Jodie Basham, Karen Moller, Deirdre Doepel & Jenny Sharpe).
Jeff Veling, Sandy Veling, Brenda Campbell, Eve Clarkson
The HGR Womens Swiss Pairs
This one day BAWA event held at WABC saw 36 pairs playing and was won by Patricia McNamara & Belinda Taranto from Stella Steer & Viv Wood.
The TBIB Super Vets
Another one day event held at, and partly sponsored by, WABC with 42 pairs entered was won by Anne Banks & Mary Johnston from Ian Bailey & Bill Symons.
2025 Australia Wide Restricted Pairs
The session held at WABC saw two pairs finish in the top 100 Australia wide. Well done Keith Cramond & Peter Sumner 20th with 65% as well as Jan French & Diana Toll 70th with 60.6%.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Welcome to the following new members: Anne Carew-Reid; Mark Edelman; Christine Haber; Louise Malkin; Anne Moss; Nick Reid.
LESSONS & WORKSHOPS
CARD PLAY
Two weeks, Thursday mornings, November 6 & 13 from 9:30 am to 11:30 am; $15 per session. Run by Martin Doran & Jane Henderson. More fun focusing on declarer play in suit contracts. Aimed at those who have finished the second beginner’s course, or a previous Rookies course, or anyone who wants to start taking more tricks as declarer.
FRIDAY SUPERVISED TOPICS - NOVEMBER
7th Nov: Hand of the Month
14th Nov: Plan Your Play
21st Nov: Weak Twos for Beginners (Repeated Wed 26 Nov 6:45pm)
28th Nov: No Supervised (Congress)
FRIDAY SUPERVISED TOPICS - DECEMBER
5th Dec: Stayman for beginners (Repeat of Wed 3 Dec 6.45pm)
12th Dec: Transfers to Majors for Beginners (Repeat of Wed 10 Dec 6.45pm)
19th Dec: Christmas Quiz – Review of the Year
26th Dec: No Supervised
JOAN BUTTS WORKSHOPS
Pencil this into your diaries. One of Australia’s best known teachers is coming to WABC to run four morning workshops. FEBRUARY 2026, Saturday 21 - Monday 24. More details coming.
PUBLICATIONS
BAWA Focus: the November edition is coming.