COMMITTEE of MANAGEMENT 2026-2027
The Committee of Management for the coming year is Veronica Ntoumenopoulos (President); Lynne Milne (Secretary); Deirdre Doepel (Treasurer); Aruni Bandarage; Denise Hall; Jodie Basham; Judi Ley; Keith Cramond; Nola Cruickshank and Robin Challenor.
A big welcome to Lynne Milne, Aruni Bandarage, Denise Hall, Judi Ley and Keith Crammond.
Farewell and many thanks to Jacqui Ecclestone, Christine Spartalis and Brian Embleton who have all stepped down.
You can find the draft minutes of the Annual General Meeting here. The President’s report is an excellent summary of the past year and reviews the Club’s Membership, Teaching & Development; Our Club and Community; Finances; Governance; the Future and Acknowledgements.
One snippet of interesting news was that Andy Hung is heading to Perth in February 2026 and will be running some workshops at WABC. More information coming!
OUTDOOR FURNITURE
It must be Christmas! And those elves have been busy with an early present. New furniture!
Very nice. Don’t forget about this year’s Christmas Party and Prize Giving mentioned below.
SANDCASTLES LANDSCAPING
It’s a bit hard to miss the landscaping works between the SANDCASTLES and the Bridge Club. Don’t forget that egress from our courtyard’s Western Emergency Exit is into the landscaping works area. This exit is only to be used in an emergency.
PLANNING AHEAD & IT’S NOT ALL BRIDGE
JACKPOTS
There is normal duplicate as well, but the Jackpots are for those who qualified.
Each of the Club’s regular sessions has a Jackpot Final in early November. To qualify you must be a Club member, play at least 12 times in the respective session (eg Monday Morning) and qualify in the top 32 pairs as determined by Pianola. Qualifiers can play with any other qualifier for that session. The qualifying lists are on the Club Noticeboard. Please enter via the club website here.
WABC CHRISTMAS CONGRESS
One of WABC’s biggest congress events. Three days, Friday 27 to Sunday 29 November. There is a range of events to choose from: one or two sessions, one Restricted (<300MPs), one Novice (<100 MPs). Please note that the only non-congress session is Friday morning.
Please pay online or at the club when you put in a paper entry form. We are trying to avoid collecting entry money on the day. Find out more and enter here.
WABC MASTERS IN TEAMS OF THREE
For players from any club with less than 150 MPs at 30 June 2026. Enter as a Team of three and get a Master assigned as the fourth member. Each player gets to play twice with the Master. It’s an a nice enjoyable day, Sunday 6 December. Enter here.
WABC CHRISTMAS PARTY
Tuesday 8 December. Play bridge in the afternoon, attend the prize giving, eat PIZZA and have a drink or two. If you are attending then add your name to the list in the hallway.
If you are vegetarian please note this on the list or see Martin Doran.
If you are gluten free then you must see Martin Doran.
ALL OF SWANBOURNE GARAGE SALE
Swanbourne comes alive on Sunday 15 November, with the second Swanbourne Community Garage Sale. Held from 7:00am to 12 noon. There will be new and pre-loved items available, perfect for Christmas gifts such as homewares, toys, plants, clothes, and so much more. Baked items were a popular offering last year; think choc chip cookies, brownies, sweet and savory muffins. Residents can choose to host a garage sale on your front verge or driveway or take the opportunity to walk the streets.
Anyone want some pre-loved outdoor furniture?
DUTY PARTNER
There is a Duty Partner available on Friday & Saturday afternoons. Please turn up early, at least 30 minutes prior to the session starting, and let the Director know that you have come by yourself.
TEA STATION ROSTER
The November roster has those members whose surnames begin with H, O or T to assist with clearing and tidying up the tea stations after the tea break. Please help when rostered on.
WABC WINNERS & PAST EVENTS
MABS MCCULLOCH TROPHY 2026
This trophy is awarded to the Club Member who wins the most Green Masterpoints at WABC during the Financial Year. You need to play a lot and do well to win. Peter Smith, one of our patrons, presented the 2026 winner, Kate North, with the trophy at the AGM. It is the ninth consecutive year that Kate has won this trophy, which is an amazing effort. The chasing pack was closer this year with Will Nunn running a close second.
NEDLANDS SPRING CONGRESS
The Swiss Pairs was won by Peter Holloway & Wendy Driscoll from Jeff Fust & Viv Wood with Brenda Camppbell & Eve Clarkson third.
The Swiss Teams was won by Jeff Fust & Viv Wood and Gerry Day & Tom Lemann.
BUSSELTON CONGRESS
The Matchpoint Pairs was won by Deana Wilson & Gwyneira Brahma.
The Swiss Teams was won by James & Stella Steer and Hasan Hazra & Rez Karim.
WABC MIXED PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
Congratulations to Mark Doust & Maura Rhodes who won from Belinda Taranto & John Aquino.
BAWA SUPER VETS (75 y)
Won by Brian Fensome & Edward Roscoe (Undercoft) from Maura & Rick Rhodes. Entrants have to be over 75 years od to play in this event. There is also a prize for the best player over the age of ninety and this was won by Judy Crooke
MAJOR MASTERPOINT (MP) MILESTONES
Trumps Plus recognises Club members receiving their first ranking certificate (Graduate Master, 2 MP) and those becoming Life Masters, which is the first certificate requiring gold points. Other significant milestones are: reaching 100 Masterpoints; reaching 300 Masterpoints; and becoming a Grand Master.
In August:
100 MPs: Pamela Morley
300 MPs: Julie Short
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
Vale Paula Sinclair, who passed away 13-October. A regular Monday afternoon (supervised) player who enjoyed coming to the Club and playing bridge.
Welcome to the following new members: Anthea Murchison; Ken Richards; Pamela Bowman & Rae Yorg.
LESSONS & WORKSHOPS
If you missed out on any of the courses or workshops held this during the past year then keep an eye out for next year’s programme…. Out soon.
BEGINNERS - PART 2 - LEARN TO PLAY BRIDGE - UNDERWAY
Learn to play bridge 8 lessons. $120. Flyer.
Monday morning 09:15-11:15 am (Warwick Potter) October 5, 12, 19, 26, November 2, 9, 16 & 23.
Tuesday evening 6:45-8:45 pm (Christine Sabier) October 6, 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10, 17 & 24.
CARD PLAY 2 - SUIT CONTRACTS - UNDERWAY
Four lessons, $60. Wednesday mornings: October 28, November 4, 11 & 18. 9:00am — 10:50am run by Warwick Potter. For those who have finished the second Beginners Course, or a Rookies Course, or anyone who wants to take more tricks as either declarer or a defender.