It was a fantastic day at the Lakes Entrance Croquet Club last Thursday when members joined with May Beveridge in her attempt to be the oldest female competitive croquet player in the world.
Not only was it great exposure for the Lakes Entrance Croquet Club and the game of croquet, but it was also especially significant for May Beveridge in her attempt.
It all began in March when May celebrated her 101st birthday and John Mitchell, a member of the Lakes Entrance Croquet Club, just thought, “I wonder how old the oldest female croquet player recorded in the Guinness Book of Records”.
He discovered it was held by Jean Ferguson from the United Kingdom on August 3, 2025, who was 98 years 327 days.
John approached May to gauge her feelings about attempting to break this record and then made all the enquiries. They ran with the attempt, not realising how extensive the preparation might be. With the help of other members of the club, it all came together on May 28, 2026, with May at the age of 101 years and 72 days.
A seven hoop doubles tournament for a specific handicap range of players, 10–20, was sanctioned by the Victoria Croquet Association and was advertised to three local clubs: Sale, Bairnsdale and Orbost. Nine players from Sale and Bairnsdale entered and, along with 11 players from Lakes Entrance, formed two sections of five doubles pairs, playing a total of four games each.
It was a requirement that May take part in a sanctioned tournament and that it was to be filmed and the results recorded. Following this, all documents will be sent to the Guinness Book of Records for ratification and subsequently May Beveridge, in her 102nd year, can make it into the history books.
“During the lead up to the event all our members gave May the encouragement that it is only another play day and enjoy it as you usually do,” member Rhonda Smith said.
May invited Fay Kleehammer, who is nearly reaching her ninth decade herself, to play with her and as a result they came in third in section one.
“Fay brings May to croquet two of the sometimes three mornings a week to play on club days. Well done girls,” Rhonda said.
In John’s preparation for the attempt, he and member Lynley invited some of the media to see if they were interested in reporting on this special event. Lynley had interest from Danielle Pope from the ABC and Rory and Nathan from Channel Ten, along with local media. Danielle, Nathan and Rory spent many hours at the club filming, interviewing May and were pleasantly surprised to learn about May and the game of golf croquet she passionately enjoys.
May believes that playing croquet along with her family support, many of whom were present, and other social activities have contributed to her longevity in life.
“When these articles go to air what great publicity exposure it will be for golf croquet, Lakes Entrance Croquet Club and especially May Beveridge,” Rhonda said.
“She is the inspiration for all our club members to get up, be active and keep playing croquet.”
May also had a return visit from Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, who was grateful he could come back and celebrate this attempt with May.
“Tim has visited May on several occasions to celebrate her birthdays and her capacity to keep playing croquet. He even had a game with her last year,” Rhonda said.
Mr Bull and East Gippsland Shire Councillor Arthur Allen were asked to witness the event as part of the procedures in registering this attempt.
“Thank you Tim and Arthur for making the time to visit our club. Thank you to May’s family for their exceptional support in making this day such a memorable one for May, a day she won’t forget,” Rhonda said.
At the conclusion of the day May’s family and friends, club members, visitors and players enjoyed a lovely BBQ with a great spread of salads and desserts.
“We now await with bated breath for the final ratification announcement to come. What a celebration that will be,” Rhonda said.
RESULTS
Section 1: Winners: Wilma
Freeman and Neville Nicholas (Sale and Lakes Entrance); Runners-up: Ken and Karin Brown (Lakes Entrance).
Section 2: Winners: Jo and Bruce Chynoweth (Sale); Runners-up: Jennie Towan and Lyn Carter (Lakes Entrance).
