Last Thursday was a wonderful day at the Lakes Entrance Croquet Club, celebrating the 100th birthday of member, May Beveridge.
The club was fortunate in being able to fit a day into May’s hectic 100th birthday celebrations diary, congratulate her on her achievement of still playing croquet at least two mornings a week.
Along with this, a long-standing commitment was made last year after an article in the Lakes Post as May turned 99, for State MP Tim Bull to play a game of croquet with May when she turned 100 came to fruition.
Last year Mr Bull acknowledged the contribution May had made to the club since its formation at the Lake Tyers Recreation Reserve and later to the new club premises in Lakes Entrance and responded by saying that he would love to play a game with May as she turned 100.
To May’s delight this happened and among all the celebrations at the club May and Mr Bull hit the courts.
Club members joined together and had a wonderful day filling the courts with players for the morning followed by a scrumptious lunch supplied by members of the club.
May was delighted and accepted a beautiful orchid and thanked club members for their valued friendship over her years.
May has mentioned on many occasions that she can’t live without her croquet and the friends she meets up with each week.
While the club had the pleasure of Mr Bull’s presence, members asked him to cut the ribbon, along with May, to open the club’s new renovations having taken place during the first part of 2025.
Mr Bull opened the club’s new facilities in 2014 and it was fitting he be given the opportunity to open these new alterations.
He congratulated the club on its growth and taking on the initiative of doing these alterations without the support of any grants.
The addition of an office and extra bathroom were much required and with president Neil Robbins’ initiative and expertise came up with a design that could enhance the clubroom facilities.
Robbins acted as project manager-come-builder and with the cooperation of several members with their own skills, the project was completed.
