2025 AGM

The Club AGM was held last Sunday, thank you to all the  members who attended - we had over 40 members present which is fantastic.  

The new Committee for the coming year is:

Co-presidents- Sue Gordon & Ali Barr

Secretary - Leanne Blackwood

Treasurer - Claire Barkla

Club Captain - Jane Gebert

Committee members - Sue Clarke, Trina Attwood, Catharine Roozendaal, Margaret Lines.

 President’s Report 2025

It is our pleasure to present the President’s Report for the past year.  It has been another active and successful period for the Whakatane Bridge Club, filled with a lot of learning as new Presidents, amazing support and a few challenges along the way.

Highlights and Achievements:

We are proud to acknowledge the outstanding performance of our members on the competitive stage.  

Our Junior Interclub Team of Sue Clark, Linda Brown, Mathias Herzog, Mike Whalley and Claire Barkla had an outstanding year, winning the Rotorua Tournament and going on to claim victory at the Waikato Bay’s Finals Tournament.  We are immensely proud of them.

Congratulations to Jenny Elgar, who was awarded the Best Intermediate at the Bay of Plenty Pairs Competition – a fantastic achievement that reflects both skill and dedication.

We hosted the Bay Pairs Tournament in April, with Whakatane players doing well.   Joyce Reid and Rex Tulloch won the Intermediate section, Jenny Elgar and Tom Henwood won the Open/Intermediate section,  Mike Whalley and Robin Barkla won the Junior section.  

Our 8B Tournament in August had 13 tables with Whakatane’s hospitality on show with a fabulous morning tea and lunch provided.  This tournament is a real team effort; we would like to thank everyone who contributed.  Catharine Roozendaal and Jenni Davies won the Intermediate section. Robin Barkla and Claire Barkla won the junior section.  

The Teams competition on the Wednesday session had a strong turnout of 8 teams.  This competition has been a “work-in-progress’ for several years, with the committee adjusting the competition using feedback from the participants.  We would like to thank Joyce Reid who has been instrumental in developing this competition.  The Janet Milbank trophy, made by her son Jake, was presented for the first time at last year’s prize giving.

Joyce Reid has had a busy year; she also became a qualified Director.  This is of huge benefit to our club.  Congratulations Joyce and thank you for stepping up.

A particularly positive development has been the addition of the Kawerau Bridge Club members to our club. Thank you Kawerau members, you have enriched our club with your energy, camaraderie and competitiveness.

Thanks to the generosity of Colleen Campbell, who donated funds for new tablecloths and the effort of volunteers who made them, we now enjoy new tablecloths.

We were also successful in receiving a grant from Trust Horizon to assist with power costs, this has been a much-appreciated contribution towards the club’s ongoing sustainability.

Our learner lessons had 12 graduates completing the course.  This year, we trialed a transition period, allowing learners to play using the compassmates for 6 weeks before entering general club competitions.  This initiative has proved beneficial in building confidence and strengthening the bridge pathway from learner to club player.   We would like to thank Rex Tulloch and his many helpers who made the lessons possible.

We celebrated Jan Jarrett’s, (our Patron) 98th Birthday in August with a surprise lunch and festivities at the Friday session.

In terms of facility improvements, we were pleased to have new carpet installed in the office and front entrance.  We have also repaired the sterilizer.

On a more somber note, we were saddened by the passing of two longstanding and valued members of our club. Eric Burnie in September last year and Colleen Campbell recently.

Challenges:

Like many clubs, we are not without our challenges.  

New Zealand Bridge has increased its levies and while the committee has absorbed the cost this year, we must advise that subscriptions will need to be increased.   A motion will be presented at this meeting to increase these to $75 per year.

Additionally, we face some change in the club committee.  Four Committee members are stepping down, having served the maximum 5-year term.  Christine Wood (past president), Jenny Jones (past club captain), Rex Tulloch (Treasurer) and Julie Meekel (past club captain).  Their dedication has been invaluable, and we thank them sincerely.  To maintain continuity and allow greater flexibility we are proposing a motion to extend the term limit to six years.  We warmly welcome Leanne Blackwood, Catharine Roozendaal and Trina Atwood to the committee.

We have had to cancel several Friday sessions due to insufficient numbers.  The Club Captain, Jane Gebert has instituted an email system ensuring there are enough tables and to find a partner if required.

Increasing the number of  Directors to run sessions remains a challenge.    Joyce Reid has been an invaluable addition, but we still require more.  We encourage members to consider undertaking director training with the committee ready to support those who are willing to step forward.

Conclusion:

In closing, we would like to thank the committee, volunteers and all the members for their ongoing support, participation and generosity.  The club thrives because of your commitment and community spirit.  Whether it’s competing, teaching, organizing or simply turning up to play with a smile – every contribution matters.

We look forward to another year of Bridge, friendship and success at the Whakatane Bridge Club.