In our newsletter this week...
President's Message
Graded Teams Saturday
Teams League Competition at the Club!
New Players
ANC Wrap Up
Rank Promotions
Online Lessons
Youth News
Results
Names and Numbers
Upcoming Events
Name Badge Order
Classifieds Corner
Lighter Moments
President's Message
Farewell to Barb Toohey
After more than 15 years of teaching Beginner lessons at the Canberra Bridge Club, Barb will soon be retiring from her role as one of our much-loved teachers.
Over the years, Barb has introduced countless members to the wonderful game of bridge, inspiring new players and helping them become part of our Club community. Many of our members began their bridge journey in Barb’s classes, and we are grateful for the knowledge, encouragement and enthusiasm she has shared.
To mark this special milestone, we will be holding a farewell gathering for Barb on Thursday 20 August at 4:30pm at the Club. All members, particularly those who have attended Barb’s lessons over the years, are warmly invited to join us and help us thank her for her contribution and wish her well. We invite everyone to bring a plate to share for late afternoon tea as we celebrate Barb’s many years with the Club. The Club will provide a selection of drinks.
We hope you can join us to thank Barb for the important role she has played in the lives of so many members and wish her every happiness in her retirement. If you have any questions, please free free to contact me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Parking Reminder
To help keep our Club safe and accessible for everyone, members are reminded to park only in designated parking spaces. Please do not park in the emergency vehicle space under any circumstances. This is the area right in front of the steps leading to the main entrance and must remain clear at all times to ensure emergency access if it is ever required.
Members are also asked to be mindful when parking near the disabled parking bays. Please allow sufficient space for passengers with mobility issues to safely enter and exit their vehicles, and keep the adjacent zebra crossing and access areas clear.
Thank you for your consideration and for helping make our Club a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
- Mary
Graded Teams Saturday is happening on 22nd August!
On Saturday the 22nd August 2026, the Canberra Bridge Club will be running its first all day, teams red-point event of the year.
This will be a graded teams, so please enter in teams of 4 or 6.
The field will also be graded – likely into A, B and C grades with a possible additional category for current supervised players, subject to numbers. The exact subdivisions will be decided closer to the time, based on entries.
• Director: Steve Geddes
• Cost: Youth $12 / Members $24 / Concession $20 / $30 Non Members - You will be charged on the day of the event, it is free to register now
• Start Time : 9:45am with an hour lunch break
• Finish Time: 5:00pm
• Where: CBC BT Room
Click here to Register
NB. Please note that when making your entry, myABF will not let you save unless 4 or more people have been registered. If you are still in the process of recruiting just select "TBA" for the other 2 or 3 people when registering. The office has a list of half teams looking for partners so email the office if your require assistance.
Teams League Competition at the Club!
As we head towards Christmas, we are trialling a new competition at the Club – a regular Teams Event designed for players of all skill levels, from beginners to expert!
The Club will be hosting regular teams events – open to teams of four, five or six held over two sessions a fortnight apart.
You do not need to have experience playing teams before entering. All you need to do is to have two pairs available for both the second and fourth Monday evening of the month.
Teams is an extremely rewarding form of playing bridge where you are not competing against the entire room, but are rather playing head-to-head against another team.
Your results are not scored against the whole room but are rather only compared to the results at the other table. If your pairs do better with the cards you are dealt than the pairs of the opposing team, you will win, regardless of where you are ranked across the room. The scoring rewards bidding games and making one’s contracts. Overtricks and obsessively bidding No Trumps instead of the minors are not rewarded as highly as in regular pairs game.
This makes it ideal for regular club players from B-grade, C-grade or the supervised sessions.
When is it?
The first season is Monday 14th September and Monday 28th September
Each session starts at 6-30 PM at the Club and will conclude at 9-00 PM
Players should aim to arrive by 6-20PM at the latest!
Does the team have to come to both weeks?
Yes. At least one pair must play both weeks. The teammates can be a different pair each week if your team has six players
How much does it cost?
Regular table fees will be charged on the night via MyABF
Who is it for?
Any playing ability will be accommodated
The field will be split into multiple “Divisions” and players will only play other teams within their division
At the conclusion of each month, the winning teams in each division will be promoted to a higher division and the bottom teams will be relegated to a lower division
What is the format?
Each night teams will play two twelve board teams matches
There will be an overall winner within each division after the two nights
How do we enter a Team?
Via the following link on MyABF:
Can you help us find team-mates?
There are no guarantees but we are always prepared to assist. If you need help securing team-mates, please contact Elizabeth or Steve.
What if I have further questions?
If you have any questions, you can speak to Steve at the club or via email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Alternatively, you can speak to Elizabeth or email her on:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
New Players
Canberra Bridge Club welcomes the following new and returning players:
- Josh Wilkinson
- Richard Taylor
- Caroline Taylor-Steele
- Rod Shaw
- Mischa Rippon
ANC WRAP UP
Bridge players in the Canberra region can be justifiably proud of the success of the recent ANC. It is entirely due to the efforts of almost 100 volunteers who contributed their time and/or expertise. Although player numbers were a little lower than hoped, the ANC has delivered a pleasing profit for BFACT. That money is now available to support all bridge playing activities in the local region.
To say thank you, BFACT has invited all ANC volunteers and their partners to a function commencing at 6pm on Friday 21 August at the Canberra Bridge Club. Come for a drink, something to eat and an optional game of bridge. If you believe that you missed out on the emailed invitation, please let us know so that we can rectify the oversight. If you plan to attend, it would help us to plan the catering if you could RSVP to Tamara Cutcliffe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 14 August.
Lyn Carter Cathy Nichols
ANC Tournament Organisers
Rank Promotions
Graduate
- Fox, Colleen M
- Phillips, Ladner
- Stenfors, Melissa
- Sutherland, Rod
Bronze Local
- French, Michael
- Havlat, Karel
- Pryor, Trish
Silver Local
- Arthur, Bruce
- Arthur, Jenny
- Salmon, Margaret Ann
Regional
Bronze State
Bronze National
Life
Bronze Life
- Fawcett, Fiona
- Manderson, Desmond
Gold Life
Online Lessons
The next online lesson with Will Jenner-O'Shea is on Thursday 13 August at 9:30am.
This lesson is on Opening Leads - Real Hands - part 2.
Youth News
YOUTH EVENTS
Summary (see below for more details)
August 3 - 8: World Youth Transnational Bridge Championships
August 7: Youthish Night
August 21: RealBridge Youthish Night - https://myabf.com.au/events/congress/view/4544
August 29 - 30: Cootamundra Congress
September 18: Youthish Night
September 25: RealBridge Youthish Night - https://myabf.com.au/events/congress/view/4614
September 27 - October 1: Youth Triathlon
Saturday November 7: Trivia Fundraiser
December 5 - 6: NSW State Youth Championships
SAVE THE DATE - CBC Trivia Fundraiser
Saturday November 7, 2pm - 5pm
The questions are not bridge related so gather friends and family, bring your thinking caps, and get ready for an entertaining afternoon of questions, prizes, and great company.
Youthish Night is on this Friday, August 7
Entry is FREE and includes a Pizza dinner
All experience levels are welcome, no partner required. Come at any time.
• Session 1: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
• Dinner: 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
• Session 2: 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The following Youthish Night is on Friday September 18.
NSW State Youth Championships
December 5 - 6
ACT players are invited to participate in the NSW State Championships. Let's make a team and get some payback for the 2026 ANC.
RealBridge Youthish Nights
Club session bridge is matchpoint scoring which is a different beast to teams scoring.
Learn about the differences and get a board by board breakdown from Will after the match.
It's a great way to level up your skills.
ONLINE and FREE.
Next sessions are Friday August 21 and September 25.
Youth and youth adjacent members can enter. If you bring a Youth player to Youthish Night you can join!
Youth Triathlon - 27th Sept to 1st Oct (Sunday - Thursday)
3 days of Competition
2 days of Training
1 Winner Crowned
Sunday 27 Sept Development
Monday 28 Sept Pairs Competition: 2 sessions
Tuesday 29 Sept Teams Competition: 2 sessions
Wed 30 Sept Individual Competition: 1 session + development + sightseeing
Thursday 1 Oct Development
An overall winner of all 3 events combined will be crowned
🥇 2026 Youth Triathlon Champion 🥇 and receive the Bobby Richman Shield
CBC Youth Coordinator Suz Wilkinson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This week’s Youth Shoutout goes to Vanessa Brown, who is an amusing and engaging mentor at Youth Nights. She might try to convince you that she’s no good at it but come along and see for yourself how great she is!
World Youth Transnationals
Have you been following the World Youth Transnationals? It finishes on Saturday, August 8.
ACT has 5 representatives: Jess He - Alexis Wilsmore (U26 Women's), Dev Shah - Diya Shah (U21) and Jade Wilkinson (U21).
