ANYONE UP FOR A GAME OF CROQUET?

By Samantha Elley

Ninety five years ago, a group of women got down in the dirt and picked away tins and bottles from a patch of ground on Molesworth St in Lismore.

The women were Lismore’s first croquet players and the patch of ground, previously a tip, was to become the Lismore Croquet Club, founded by lady Mayoress, Mrs Charles Mackenzie, or Esther Bernard.

Fast forward to 2022 and the aftermath of the February floods saw members of the same club, once again getting in the mud to clear away the debris that had play before the lawn was restored.”

“I’ve been playing since 1979, starting in New

Croquet involves hitting gathered there.

Last week, however, was a day of celebration.

The clubhouse, built 92 years ago, had been totally submerged in the recent flood waters but is once again a functional space and members past and present gathered to acknowledge 90 + 2 years

Members of the club also rebuilt and painted the iconic white fence that many a Lismore resident has leaned over to watch the men and women play croquet (or ‘croki’ as it is also pronounced).

Member, Linda Perry-Pollard has only

Zealand,” said Iris.

“I like the friendship and it’s a thinking game.

“It keeps you mentally healthy and fit.” wooden or plastic balls with a mallet through hoops embedded in a grass playing court. There are three levels to the game, two of which are played at Lismore.

For Elaine, it has been like coming home to a familiar place.

“It’s as if Mrs McKenzie was smiling down us,” she said.

• Golf croquet – the most social and popular version

• Ricochet – more of its establishment.

“We had anniversary plans in September 2021 but they were put on hold during covid,” said Lismore Croquet Club president Janet Allen.

“Then the flood put everything on hold again.

“Previous floods had gone a metre into the clubhouse, but last year the water went over the roof.

“But you can not keep a good club down and the players continued to been playing the game for three months, but she is hooked.

“I tried it years ago as they had a Friday social,” she said.

“Mum has been a member for a while and I find it very social and a good laugh.

“It’s not hard to learn.” strategic and complex

Iris Trevethick and Elaine McCormack are past members, with Elaine also holding the president’s position for a while.

Lismore Croquet Club are always on the lookout for new members, so if you are interested in making new friends, playing a strategic and fun sport that isn’t too taxing, call Linda on 0456 917206.

The day was celebrated with cake, a toast and speeches from the Federal member for Page Kevin Hogan, Lismore mayor Steve Kreig and past Lismore mayor Jenny Dowell.

• Association – the highest level played at international standard

It is believed the game originated in France and was introduced to Britain during the 1660-1685 reign of Charles II and was played under the name of paille-maille, derived from the Latin words for ball and mallet.

The oldest document to bear the word croquet was in 1856.

Ref: Wikipedia.