Newsletter - 17 March 2023
In this week's newsletter...
- President's Message
- Vale Dorothy Jesner
- Upcoming Sessions
- Alan McArthur Teams
- Pizza Night - Wednesday 29 March
- BFACT Open Teams Qualfying - Stage 2 and Restricted - 2 April 2023
- BFACT Senior's Teams Qualifiying
- Gardeners Unite!
- Ian Morison's Column
- Lighter Moments
President's Message
We are still coping with the presence of COVID in the community. It is the Bridge Club's responsibility to look after our members' health to the best of our ability so we are going to continue table separation throughout the room. Because the table numbers are increasing it will only be after all tables have been allocated across the room before intervening tables will be allocated by the Director. Please accept the Director's decision in this regard.
There will be restricted parking at the Club on Sunday as water reticulation and planting continues.
Tim Mather
Vale Dorothy Jesner
Dorothy Jesner, who died Thursday March 9, 2023, was one of the top women players from the time she arrived from Scotland with her husband, George, in the early 1960s. In fact she was a member of the first ACT Women’s team at the ANC in 1965. She went on to represent the ACT in 12 women’s teams, winning in 2002, as well as being the non playing captain on two occasions. She also represented the ACT in the open team in 1989, and was non playing captain of the ACT youth team in 2006.
At state level, she won the teams in 1967, the pairs in 1970, and the mixed pairs on four consecutive occasions, playing with George. At club level she won the Ted Crichton mixed pairs on three occasion, the Alan McArthur teams on three occasions, and the Egon Larsen pairs once.
But her best result was playing in the first Australian Womens Team on a visit to New Zealand in 1971. Unfortunately sickness of her partner deprived Dorothy of participating in the Venice Cup that year.
Besides playing with George, she rated playing with Hilda Hills as being one of her best partners. However, before every session she insisted on removing Hilda’s redouble card from his bidding box. In the last few years she enjoyed playing on line with her sister, Alison.
During her time here she and her relatives set up a printing company, Jesner and Kelly, whose sign was visible in Fyshwick for many years after they sold the company. As well she helped George when he set up a private bridge club, initially at the Ainslie Football Club. After she moved into the Kangara Waters retirement facility, she organised regular bridge sessions for the locals.
Many of her friends remember being invited to the Jesner home, where their hospitality included both bridge and dinner. All who came in contact with Dorothy noted her wry sense of humour, as well as her immaculate dress sense.
Submitted by David Hoffman
Upcoming Sessions
Our weekly sessions are almost the same as last week - with the notable exception of Friday night bridge - see below.
Bridge Announcement for Friday Night Trials
Friday Night Bridge (FNB) is having it's third trial at the Canberra Bridge Club at 7pm tonight. Last week went very well and we are hoping for a few more tables this week. It's a great opportunity for any of the younger members - 24 boards with a light supper and a nice drink at the end of play.
Supervised Lessons
Supervised Lessons are on Wednesday nights or Friday mornings. A 15 minute lesson commences at 7pm and 9.30am respectively followed by up to 20 boards. Please just turn up if interested.
The remaining lessons for March are:
22/24 March:Doubles and overcalls
29/31 March:Opening leads and signals.
Master the Basics
Master the Basics virtual lessons are on Thursdays at 9.00am. Please email Barb Toohey if you want to be added to the Zoom class. It's $6 for members and $8 for non-members. The lessons run for 30 minutes.
Next Thursday the session is on Competitive Bidding - Takeout Doubles.
Upcoming Events
Alan McArthur Teams
The 2023 Alan McArthur Teams will be hold over 3 Thursday nights - 30 March, 6 and 13 April with play commencing at 7.15pm.
This is an Honour Board Event in memory of Alan McArthur who was co-founder of the Canberra Bridge Club and prominent in the early administration of Canberra bridge. Professionally, he was the world authority on bushfires.
RED Masterpoints
Pre-entry required. Entries close Wednesday, 29 March at 12pm midday. Late entries accepted by Tournament DIrector only under strict conditions.
The entry fee is $39 per player for the 3 week event. Please pay by CBC Pay or contact the managers for bank details.
Regulations for the Alan McArthur Teams 2023 (PDF)Download alan_mcarthur_teams_2023
Wednesday Night Pizzas
The next Wednesday night pizzas will be on 29th March. 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 6:30pm, which provides ample time to enjoy your pizzas and wash your hands 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.
Those wishing to partake should place their name on a list on the noticeboard or contact Jon Pike directly.
Australian National Congress - ACT Qualification Events
Two BFACT events remain open for entry: Seniors qualifying and Open Stage 2.
The Open Stage 2 event to select 3 additional pairs to the final (21, 22 and 23 April) will be on Sunday 2 April. Players can enter the event by logging in to MyABF, and opening the “congress” (ANC Team Selection) in the list of congresses at 17 March and then entering the Open Stage 2 event or by emailing “
The Senior team selection will involve a qualifying event held on 27 March and 3 April to qualify 12 pairs to a weekend final on Fri., Sat., Sun. 14, 15, 16 April. If less than 12 pairs enter the qualifying event by cob today, the qualifier will be cancelled with all pairs playing in the final. Players can enter via the CBC website at: “https://test.canberrabridgeclub.com.au/the-events/entry-lists”.
The ANC will be in Perth from 9-20 July, see ABF website.
For all enquiries regarding the tournaments please see the fact/entry pages or email
Save the Date: Illawarra Chris Diment Pairs and Teams - 17 and 18 June 2023
For more information visit Illawarra.bridgeaustralia.org or email Jill MacRae. Online entry www.nswba.com.au.
Covid19
Please do not attend the clubrooms if you are unwell, whether you have possible Covid symptoms or other symptoms. For your own sake and the sake of others, please stay at home.
While there is no longer a formal Covid isolation requirement in the ACT, it is not acceptable to be present at the clubrooms if you have tested positive to Covid. As the ACT Government’s Covid website makes clear, “you should still stay at home and take steps to protect those around you”. Given the chronic health issues of many of our members, wearing a mask does not make it OK to be at the clubrooms. Instead, let your partner know that you can’t play and stay at home. Do play as much RealBridge as you wish while unwell. We will be pleased to see you back at the clubrooms when you have recovered and are well again.
Ian Morison's Column: Let the Defenders Help You
To read Ian's regular column please press here.
Gardeners Unite
Would you be willing to give up a couple of hours every 2 months to help keep the grounds around the bridge club neat and tidy? John Kelly has contributed much time and energy to improving the gardens so it is important that this effort isn’t wasted. The aim is to form a gardening group of between 3 and 5 people to undertake this work. If you are interested in helping, please contact Jennifer Yeats 0412 031 903.
Produce Table
Don't forget our produce table in the foyer. Any donations of fruit & vegetable are welcome. These donations help support the club and our current charity 1RPH on 1125AM.
Lighter Moments
Signs for our times.
On a shoe repair shop:
- We will heel you.
- We will save your sole.
- We will even dye for you.
On the Vet's door:
- Back in 5 minutes
- SIT! STAY!!
At the Optometrists:
- If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place.
At the Podiatrist:
- Time wounds all heels.
At the muffler shop:
- No need to make an appointment. We'll hear you coming.
On the plumber's truck:
- Don't sleep with a drip. Call us instead.
On the swing doors at the Maternity hospital:
- PUSH PUSH PUSH
On the fence outside the Funeral Directors' driveway:
- DRIVE SAFELY. We'll wait.
Be kind in all things
Tamara (for Kerry and Tamara)
