Croquet Section History

 A brief history of the Bairnsdale Croquet Club Our club is over 100 years old and in 2020 the club held a centenary celebration. Croquet was played in Bairnsdale in the early 1900’s. It was played in private premises before 1914 in Bredt Street, Riverine Street and Macarthur Streets.

The Club was officially formed at a meeting on 12 July 1920, where Mrs Archie Morrison was elected President. On 23 November 1928 the then Shire of Bairnsdale approved the establishment of public croquet lawns in Pearson Street, its current site. The lawns and pavilion (clubhouse) were opened on 1 March 1930 by Cr F J Kyle.

The club played its first tournament in the following year. Golf, Association, Clock and American croquet were played at this time. Today Golf croquet is the only format played. At this time ladies were not permitted to play bowls so the bowls club encouraged them to play croquet.

In June 1946 four new lawns were established. The bank would not loan the club money for this and so members lent the club five pounds interest free each for twelve months. Eventually all of this money was returned to the players. The lawns were opened in on 21 November 1947.

Apparently, the Bairnsdale Club had the largest expanse of lawns in Australia. In 1946 croquet was played for the first time on Melbourne Cup Day and Australia Day. In 1968 at the Annual General Meeting a motion was passed that the club be closed to male members. By June 1974 common sense prevailed and men were once again be allowed to play.

In 1999, the club was incorporated as part of the Bairnsdale Bowling Club. This assisted the club in becoming financial again and the maintenance of the lawns was undertaken by the bowls club. Until 2000 croquet was not played during the winter months. Now it is played all year round.

Our play days remain on the mornings of Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Some members prefer to play in the afternoons of these days during winter.

In 2020 Covid 19 protocols reduced the days, games and members playing and pennant and tournaments did not continue during the pandemic.