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WILLIAMSTOWN CROQUET CLUB 1926 – 1976
There lived upon the Esplanade at the start of this century,
A sea-going captain, martinet, of the Royal Queen’s Navy.
He entertained quite frequently his friends of the elite
And one and all played croquet on a lawn shipshape and neat.
Should anyone be rash enough the wrong-heeled shoes to wear,
He’s frown upon them sternly and they’d buy another pair.
Perhaps the numbers grew too large – we really cannot say,
But someone had a brainstorm and decided that the way
To keep all players happy – “have a public lawn and pay”.
A special meeting was arranged – now, who to take the chair?
What better man to add prestige than J. J. Liston, Mayor?
October 18th, ’26, this meeting was attended
By ladies numbering twenty-two, who showed that they intended
To acquire a block and lay a lawn – and this the Mayor commended.
Nine ladies were appointed to constitute the rules,
It took both time and effort, ‘twas not a task for fools.
The first night in December a further meet was held,
When Rules and Regulations, submitted, were upheld.
The Foundation Members numbered thirty-nine,
Which was a goodly number, and a very hopeful sign
That a Croquet Club would flourish. It did, it’s doing fine!
The plot now known as Grey Reserve the Council did suggest,
And, after long discussion, to was agreed the best.
The vital question then arose, “the Council must be paid,
How best to raise the money so the Croquet lawns be laid?”
A card party and dancing in September twentyseven,
Raised twenty-one pounds of good hard cash and acted as a leaven.
Each member paid two-ten per year and a two and sixpence levy,
Collected from them every month, - you must admit ‘twas heavy.
The twenty-third February, ’28, was the longed for opening day,
When members, Councillors and wives saw exhibition play.
In those very early days white dress was not the ‘norm’
It wasn’t quite “the thing” you know to wear a uniform.
The Club house plans were next discussed and the raising of the share
Of twelve hundred pounds that it would cost to place a building there.
The dancing, cards and levies continued to bring in
The money that was needed for the building to begin.
Five pound debentures were a thought and passed with acclamation
Result of which was quite a sum to fill them with elation.
New members now were needed, it was the general view
To advertise in local and Footscray weekly news.
The outcome of this was quite good, they did enrol a few
Not only croquet players, but social members too.
Club colours were now chosen, they favoured gold and blue
And for the first time in the Club they chose a captain too.
The china for the cupboards was bought with the proceeds
From entries in a tournament: just one of many needs.
The Club house now was finished with furnishings O.K.
‘Twas opened December ’29 by President of V.C.A.,
Together with the Mayoress who had some words to say
About the splendid effort that made possible this day.
A visit to the Brighton Club, a gymkhana at home,
Club championships to follow that and many more to come.
In the 1930 winter months the bridge club started up,
And many happy hours were spent with cards and the “cheering cup”.
Several evening card nights were by the Club enjoyed,
To swell the benevolent society’s funds and the Williamstown unemployed.
Until this time the lawns had been maintained by City Council,
But notice came that from now on the Club would be responsible.
Though croquet seemed a female’s sport, the ladies did agree
Should any male desire to join, then welcome he would be.
A doubles and singles tournament took place in ’31,
It must have been a beauty ‘cos it took five weeks to run.
About this time four shelters were considered necessary;
Instead, six canvas shades were bought, finances made them wary.
A wonderful balance sheet was read – the effort well-intentioned –
It showed a healthy bank account, but the overdraft wasn’t mentioned
The first Australian Tea was held the following November,
A gift was brought, a gift was bought by every present member.
Six years of pleasant croquet had inevitably slipped by,
With money always needed in plentiful supply.
An idea put forward which all agreed was sound
Each member would try to raise £1.
A clock appeared upon the wall, a gift from Mrs Birt,
A very useful gift indeed when all must be alert
To time – in tournaments and the like –
To end a game or make a strike.
December brought a tournament open to any players,
With cups as trophies to the folk who proved to be the stayers.
The entries must have been quite good and gratified the many
The money raised was twenty-nine pounds, eleven, and threepence halfpenny.
There must have been some trouble in 1933
With vandals, thieves or something, for members did agree
To hire the night time service of a watchman who would see
That everything was shipshape and as right as it could be.
Eventually the wooden shelters took the place of shades,
And four have stood there many years and sheltered many maids.
Our Presidents and Secretaries are listed on the roll
Inside our grand old club house it hands upon the wall
And those who read will realise that Clubs are only made
By keen and loyal members who all the rules obeyed.
We’ve had our good times and our bad, our differences and quarrels,
But time has healed and we go on, not resting on our laurels.
For as each year in Pennant play we strive to win with glory,
We make new friends, improver our play – the old repeating story.
Maud McConville
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