Life membership For Bobbi Drysdale Awarded At 2025 AGM

The Club AGM was held on Sunday and it is with much pleasure that Bobbi Drysdale was nominated for and awarded Life Membership for her wonderful and ongoing contribution to our Bridge Club. The following is the Life Membership nomination from the committee, highlighting Bobbi’s contribution to our club.

"The person the committee wishes to nominate for life membership moved from Masterton in 2006 and joined the Whakatane Club. In 2008 she became a committee member and acted as tournament secretary for 4 years between 2009 and 2018.

Bobbi Drysdale was president of our club from 2011-2012 and then took on the vice president role for 3 years 2015-2017.

In 2011 Bobbi assisted Jenny Morris in delivering learners’ lessons before taking over the teaching role about 10 years ago for both new learners and refresher sessions for novices and juniors.

With Ian’s help Bobbi designed a manual to enable sitting rights when using the Howell movement. They also spent a number of days in 2015 getting the bridge mates working, and in 2017 arranged for servicing of the dealing machine; they also organised an honours’ board for the Bay Pairs. Bobbi, along with Bronwyn, manages the sponsors’ list.

Bobbi is regularly the director on Wednesdays and Fridays, does the set up and the scoring as well as taking her turn at dealing. Last Friday Bobbi did the set up and scoring, was director, dealt the cards for today’s tournament -which she is also directing- and came first in play along with Pat Bell.  What would we do without her!

We know and love Bobbi for her competitive streak at the bridge table and this is reflected in her accomplishments on the honours board; Wednesday champion for 3 years, champion pairs with Ian 2018-2020, Friday singles 2023 and Friday doubles with Riet 2020-2021 as well as coming first in Bay pairs several times.

Bobbi’s many roles demonstrate her dedication to the values and mission of our club. Thank you, Bobbi, for your exceptional contribution to our community.

In recognition of Bobbi Drysdale’s outstanding service, leadership, and long-standing commitment to the Whakatane Bridge Club, we are proud to nominate her for Life Membership. “