Newsletter - 22 September 2023
In our newsletter this week...
- President's Message
- CBC AGM Notification
- Upcoming Sessions and Event
- Monthly Wednesday Pizza Night
- Working Bee
- Canberra In Bloom - 29 September to 2 October
- Women's Training Camp Repechage - Sunday 15 October
- Will Jenner-O'Shea Upcoming Workshops - October and November
- Results - Gala Pairs & President's Teams
- The role of the Recorder
- In praise of CBC Sponsors
- Ian Morison: Another Con Job
President's Message
It has been bought to my attention that it is becoming very difficult to find a vacant North/South position that has not been made reserved. While we continue to have table restrictions due to the continued presence of Covid could I suggest that, if you do not have a medical condition which restricts your ease of movement, you avail yourself of the many East/West positions.
Please note that even if you do reserve a N/S table it will be up to the discretion of the directors where you might end up sitting.
The AGM is taking place on Thursday 5th October 2023 and we are having a lot of resignations from the committee. We desperately need a new Secretary and many committee members willing to enjoy the challenges of keeping our club enjoyable and fun to be around. There is a nomination box in the office. Please help.
Tim Mather
Notice of Canberra Bridge Club Inc 2023 Annual General Meeting
CBC members are invited to attend the AGM to be held on Thursday, 5 October 2023, 5.30pm, at the Clubrooms.
The AGM Notice, Agenda the draft minutes of the 2022 AGM, nomination forms and proxy forms are available from the Committee noticeboard in the Clubrooms and the CBC website.
The election of office-bearers (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Tournament Secretary) and eight general Committee members will occur at the AGM.
Please place completed nomination forms and proxy forms in the appropriate labelled box in the Managers' office by midday on Wednesday, 4 October 2023.
The 2022-2023 audited statement of the CBC accounts will be available on the Committee noticeboard and CBC website as soon as possible.
If possible, members are asked to submit their questions in advance of the AGM to the office. This will facilitate the provision of a complete answer at the AGM.
We hope to see you there.
Supervised Lessons
These happen on Wednesdays from 7pm, or Fridays from 9.30am.
- 27/29 September: Opening leads and signals
- 4/6 October: Declarer Play: Making your plan
- 11/13 October: Declarer Play: Using side suit winners to discard losers
- 18/20 October: Declarer Play: Taking a finesse
- 25/27 October: Better minor responses and rebids
Master the Basics
Master the Basics virtual lessons are on hold with Barb having a well earned break until October.
Upcoming Events
No Thursday Bridge next week 28/9/23
There is no Thursday night event next week due to the need to set up for the Canberra in Bloom congress. If you wish to have a game, there are several online options on a Thursday night, including a BBO game run by South Canberra and Capital clubs. More details at https://www.bridge-club.org/clientdocs/4289.pdf
Saturday afternoon face-to face trial
The Committee has decided to extend the trial of Saturday afternoon face-to-face bridge. The trial held in August and September attracted some interest, and pleasingly did not detract from the concurrent RealBridge session. Due to Canberra in Bloom and a Will Jenner-O’Shea lesson on 14 October, the trial will restart on 21 October and run 28 October, 4 November and 11 November.
Monthly Pizza Night - Wedneday 27 September
The next Wednesday night pizzas will be on 27 September. For those unfamiliar with the activity, the Wednesday night pizzas provide the opportunity for social interaction while enjoying a pizza sampling. It provides a great opportunity to talk to and socialise with your fellow players, which is not always the case when engaged in playing bridge. The pizzas will be available from 6:30, which provides ample time to enjoy your pizzas before supervised and walk-in play begins.
The cost of the pizzas is a nominal $5 payable on the day. This entitles you to half a pizza. A variety of toppings will be available and participants can pick and choose. Vegan pizzas can be made available for those who want them. No drinks are provided, so if you want liquid refreshment you will need to bring your own.
Attendance is voluntary and those wishing to partake should place their name on a list on the noticeboard or contact Jon Pike directly.
The beginners class is most welcome to participate.
Working Bee- Saturday 21 October 9am to 2pm
Volunteers needed for general outside gardening and clean up plus various jobs inside of the club. Please come and help us out for just half an hour or the entire 3 hours!
Sign up sheet is just below the notice board next to the committee nomination box. Any questions contact the club or Nick Vonthethoff on 0429 208 222.
Canberra In Bloom - including Special Novice Event
Starting Friday 29 September, right here at Canberra Bridge Club! A national Gold point event with Pairs & Teams events for players of all abilities! See MyABF for more detail (or entries) and direct enquiries to
Women's Training Camp - next on 15 October 2023
This is the second of a series of workshops that looks at the tactics and skills involved in competitive bridge.
Run by Will Jenner O’Shea, this session will focus on competitive auctions. After a short talk at the start, we will then play butler pairs. Following the play, there will be a short discussion, looking at both the bidding and play.
$5 plus a small plate (per pair) to share.
You will need a partner. No partner? Let Jodi or the office know and we will try and match you up.
Enter online, or email Jodi Tutty or tell the office. We do need to know numbers so we can organise sufficient boards and handouts.
Will Jenner-O'Shea Youth Training Days
Will is intending on holding some more Youth Days in the coming months of 2023.
The idea is to continue the format from previous Youth days starting at 11am (with a lunch break) and finishing around 3pm.
These sessions are available to anyone under 30 for free. If there are “Youth” who are not too far on the other side of 30, they will also be very welcome!
Please email Mary Tough if you are attending so we have an idea on numbers.
The dates are:
Sunday - 15 October.
Sunday - 26 November.
Venue: Canberra Bridge Club, 5-7 Duff Place, Deakin.
Time: 11am-3pm
~Youth Bridge is Bridge’s future~
Will Jenner-O'Shea Workshops
How Do Competitive Bids Change at Different Levels - Saturday 14 October 10am to 3pm
Topics include
- Doubles at the One-Level and the Two-Level
- Overcalls at the One-Level and the Two-Level
- No-Trumps at the One-Level and the Two-Level
- Responding to All of Those Things
End of Year Summary - Saturday 25 November 10am to 3pm
Topics include
- Practice a Variety of Topics and Revise 2023
- Revise Bidding, Play and Defence Topics from Throughout The Year
- Replay Many of the Interesting Hands From All The Workshops This Year
The role of the Recorder
Newer members may not be aware that you have options for raising any concerns about behaviour at the table. The Director will often be your first port of call but the Club also has officials called Recorders, who can assist with broader issues. Our Recorders are Sebastian Yuen and Rob Hurst. For more detail on this role, the extract below sourced from the Nedlands Bridge Club provides a good summary.
The role of the Recorder is that of an "unofficial" mediator. The mediator is available for club members who feel that a breach of ethics or propriety has occurred but when it is not something so serious that a formal complaint needs to be made.
The Recorder is not the only avenue available. The session Director is your first option. The Director must always be called if an irregularity has occurred (such as a bid or a lead out of turn), and the Director may also be called if you feel the opponents are not acting appropriately.
You may also approach the Director during or at the end of the session to discuss any concerns you may have. The Director may suggest you contact the Recorder. What will the Recorder do?
Well, it will depend on the circumstances. In most cases, after discussing with the offended party, the Recorder will talk to the offending party and the matter will be simply resolved. Where circumstances are more serious, the offending party may be warned not to continue certain behaviour. The Recorder may also escalate serious issues to the Committee for resolution.
If you wish to contact a Recorder, you may speak with Sebastian or Rob before or after a club session. Sebastian at
Interested in becoming a Bridge Director? Or just want to improve your knowledge of the rules? In either case, Sebastian Yuen is an international director who will transport you to new levels of knowledge and learning.
Saturday/Sunday 18 & 19 November - for aspiring new or in-training directors.
In Praise of CBC Sponsors
Many members are aware of our Club sponsors listed on our website and appearing via Powerpoint on our TV. It is timely to remind members of the positive role that sponsorship plays in the club. It is essential that club members support our sponsors and let them know we are from the bridge club. They need to know their support is an investment not just a cost to them. Our 2023 sponsors are:
- The Grange Deakin
- Travel Associates
- Tony Bemrose Insurance Brokers (TBIB)
- Ord Minnett - Barry Turner Fund
- Pacific Facilities Maintenance
- Battery World
- Double Shot
In relation to Travel Associates, their sponsorship includes the standard fee plus they pay a trailing commission on all travel bookings made. Members are encouraged to make any travel arrangements via Travel Associates via shopfronts at Belconnen Mall, Manuka, Jamieson or Gungahlin. Members should let the staff know they are a CBC member and family and friends can be included in the arrangement.
A proforma is available to be used to detail the booking and handed back to the office to enable reconciliation of the commission payable.
Additionally Travel Associates offer a Protected Luggage arrangement when flights have been booked via their network. This guarantees tracking and return of luggage being expedited. If luggage is not returned within 96 hours, compensation of AU$1000 per bag within 2-3 business days is offered to a nominated bank account. In additionTravel Associates will continue to look for luggage for another 21 days if it cannot be quickly located.
Ian Morison:
To read Ian's column please press below:
Lighter Moments
- What did the rabbit say to the piece of wood? It was nice gnawing you!
- Why are rabbits so lucky? They have 4 rabbit's feet!
- Where do rabbits learn to fly a plane? The Royal Hare Force!
Be kind in all things
Elizabeth (for Amik, Elizabeth and Tamara)
