'Our Jan' grabs a gong!
Jan Wills
Not just content with just winning the Dora Hammond Trophy this year, Jan Wills also featured on the New Years Honours List gaining an OMNZ or becoming an Officer of the Order of New Zealand for services to the Beef Industry.
Her administrative work with the Hereford Association has spanned over 20 years which included holding the role of president of the NZ Hereford Association and two terms as the secretary general of the World Hereford Council - both times being the first female to hold these positions.
There is a nice story online which covers her achievements through the following link:
https://agrihq.co.nz/article/years-of-dedication-rewarded?p=12
When asked whether we will need to treat her differently at the bridge table, Jan suggested that it wouldn't hurt to hold up your aces when playing against her ... but she doesn't expect anybody to curtsey more than once on entering the room!
Congratulations Jan - we are very proud of you!
2015 Bridge
The 2015 programme started with Holiday Bridge kicking off in Matamata with 6 tables turning up keen to play on Wednesday. For the record Rita and Beth triumphed N/S and Joe and Barbara Keys won E/W on handicap.
Grab a partner and turn up by 10.20am if you are wishing to play on Wednesdays.
Reminder that Monday night starts on 2 February and Thursday on 29th January.
Te Aroha is expected to be underway on Tuesday 3 February.
Matamata members should have received their programmes in the post by now ... if not get in touch with Nelson.
2014 AGM and Prizegiving
There was a good turnout to celebrate the year that has been at the Matamata Bridge Club this week.
The president Lawrence Teaz, gave a run down of the years' achievements ... the Matamata Jubilee, the group of new learners, Benefit night, sponsorship of tournaments, initiation of Tuesday 'house bridge' and a consolidation of the club under his first year at the helm and we also remembered some of the members that we lost this year and will be sorely missed - namely Robyn Hancock and Pat Madill.
Matamata Prizegiving
Prizegiving followed and the photomontage shows some of the happy winners who were present to collect their trophies... Congratulations to all of the competition winners and we look forward to 2015 with anticipation!
Anna and Jacob feature in local newspaper
Your Cambridge News
Te Aroha Christmas Party
Te Aroha Bridge Club had their Christmas Party and Prizegiving last night with guests from Matamata, Thames, Waihi and Morrinsville attending.
However, the special guest was Anne Cummins who was honoured with a Life Membership of the Club through her years of service. In fact it was the first time in 22 years that she hadn't had to organise the Xmas dinner (although she was consulted several times during the week to ensure we got it right!) The break from the bridge table also hadn't dulled her skill with her and Henk second on the night.
Prizegiving saw the main prizewinners from the year including Coral Daisley and Elaine Saywell take away the Championships, George Sherrell won the Jim Shine (first time it had been played since 2008) and Greg Saxon won the Auckland Cup.
Xmas Party
Great food, cheer followed by some rowdy bridge...
Recent Competition Winners
Well done and congratulations to Jan Wills who was the overall winner of the Dora Hammond Trophy who with an average of 56.45% was fractionally ahead of Ann Ring with 56.41%.
Also a belated congratulations to Beth Vosper and Joyce Vosper who had an emphatic win in the Championships with an average of 59.13% comfortably ahead of second place getters Barbara Keys and Raewyn Richards ...
Reminder that the Xmas party kicks off at 7pm on Thursday and the AGM happens next Thursday at 7.30.
SUCCESS AT THE CAMBRIDGE SIXES!
A wonderful day out at the Bridge equivalent of the Wellington 7s yesterday saw Te Aroha Matamata players taking the applause.
Taking a bow here are the Junior Title Winners of the Cambridge Sixes 2014 Jacob and Anna Kalma
Junior Winners at the Cambridge Sixes
Finishing 4th out of the 36 teams competing were the Matamata Multi 2s
Matamata Multi 2s
Congratulations to from L to R Jacob and Anna, Joyce Catchpole, Hermanna and Henk and Beth Vosper.
- For more pics of this fabulous day out click here.
Sixes: Lynette and Ian also in action
Sixes: Te Aroha's Rainbow Team unlucky not to win best costume!
Waikato Bays Regional Meeting
The Waikato Bays committee and club representatives met centrally at the Matamata Bridge Club last month.
It was a day of constructive discussions around growing bridge membership in the region and understanding of how the WBBC works for the members and betterment of bridge in the region.
Attached FYI is the WBBC newsletter.
Just say "Christchurch"
Jane Stearns was invited to address the Canterbury Regional Congress. Here is a link to a blog she wrote for the brand new Tokoroa/Putaruru website. It is particularly of interest if you have not visited Christchurch since the earthquake.
Matamata's Golden Jubilee (and Melbourne Cup)
Congratulations to Matamata Bridge Club for celebrating their 60th Anniversary. The event coincided with the annual Melbourne Cup Day and thanks to everybody for turning out to make this a most memorable day.
60th Anniversary: Cutting the cake
On hand to cut the cake were life members: Sonia Crawford, Ann Ring alongside our Patron Sadie Swap and Audrey Langlands whose family donated the land where the bridge clubrooms now stand.
Melbourne Cup Day: Joyce Catchpole
Joyce had a successful day - not only taking out the "most appropriate hat" prize but also taking out the bridge with her partner Helen Doherty.
Melbourne Cup Day: Stella cracking the whip
Well done to Stella who made the day memorable with her coordination and spot prizes and Zelda, Judith and Mo for managing the sweepstake