Newsletter - 2 June 2023
In this week’s newsletter...
- President's Message
- Welcome New Members
- Promotions
- Upcoming Sessions and Events
- Will Jenner-O'Shea Workshop - Bidding Strong Hands and Slams - 1 July
- Interhemispheric RealBridgeChallenge - 4 July at 6pm
- BFACT InterClub Teams -16 July - entries close 30 June
- Competitive Bidding and Play with Barb Toohey
- Directors Courses with Sebastian Yuen - save the dates!
- Results
- Lighter Moments
President's Message
Thank you to everyone who supported me in my efforts to walk the Larapinta Track from Mount Sondor to Alice Springs in the Western McDonnell ranges in the Northern Territory. This is a world class walking trail internationally known as high, to very high, difficulty. Having now completed it in 10 days I fully endorse this classification. My average walking distance each day my watch tells me was 23.7 kilometres!
It is now back to work as your President and - with all your help - continuing develop the club as a wonderfully pleasant space to enjoy camaraderie and competitive bridge play, where we can escape the freezing winters which Canberra so enjoys.
While away I had time to play in the great facilities occupied by SA Bridge Association in Unley, Adelaide. They have a magnificent building with kitchens, teaching room, huge playing area and even a bar where members go after play to enjoy as drink and discuss their great successes at the table.
I would be very interested in what members would think of this as an idea to pursue at our club?
At its last meeting in April, the committee discussed the ongoing impact of inflation on the Club's operating costs and considered the need to increase table fees as a result. The Committee noted that table fees have not been increased since 1 January 2018. It agreed that fees for RealBridge sessions should be brought in line with in-Club sessions.
MOTION: That the Committee approve an increase in table fees from 1 July 2023 in line with the following schedule:
CBC Table Fees Effective 1 July 2023
All walk-in sessions Members $12.00
both F2F and RB Concession Members (Govt Blue Card) $11.00
including Supervised Play Non-Members $15.00
Less than 26 years of age $6.00
Competition Nights Members $15.00
Concession Members (Govt Blue Card) $13.00
Visitors (non BFACT events) $17.00
Less than 26 years of age $7.50
This motion was passed, and as a result, there will be an increase in table money from the 1st July 2023.
It is always a sensitive matter raising fees for services no matter what business you are operating. In July all staff wages are increasing by an imposed CPI increase and moneys paid to BFACT and ABF will also be increasing. There have been a number of improvements to the garden and car park in the past year. We are also looking ahead to cover anticipated costs of maintenance and refurbishment of the building to make it feel more cherished.
On a practical note, it would be very helpful if at the end of play everyone tidied the table top, took all cups and glasses to the kitchen and pushed in their chairs. It will make the club look cared for!
Tim Mather
Vale Gwen Wilcox
We were sad to learn of our long standing member Gwen Wilcox passing away last week.
Bank Deposit and CBC Pay
A deposit made on May 18 into the CBC account has no identification. Please contact the club if you think this may be you.
Please - for your convenience and ours - remember to put your ABF number in the reference field. Our BSB is 032730 and Acct 355176
CBC Pay statements up to and including 31 May have gone out. Please email the office if there are any issues
Welcome New Members
We welcome new members Lyn Thew and Clayton & Sharon Hitch to the Club. Please make them welcome if you see them at the table or on-line.
Promotions
ABF have advised the following promotions:
Promoted to From
- Helan Beard Graduate na
- Robyn Cleary Graduate na
- Sue Phillips Graduate na
- Margaret Vincent Graduate na
- Anne Cameron Club Graduate
- Wendy Edwards Club Graduate
- Lorraine Jansen Club Graduate
- Pam McGregor Club Graduate
- Julie McPhail Club Graduate
- George Palavestra Club Graduate
- Heather Ahern Local Club
- Bettye Pearce Bronze Local Local
- Bob Quach Bronze Local Local
- Philip Mitchell Silver Local Bronze Local
- Dorothy Holt Regional Silver Local
- Rowan Bergin Bronze Regional Regional
- Jennifer Carter Bronze State State
- Pamela McKittrick Bronze National National
- Keith Mitchell Silver Life Bronze Life
Congratulations to all!
Our weekly sessions are almost the same as last week.
Supervised Lessons
- 7/9 June: Responses and rebids
- 14/16 June: Rule of 20 and Rule of 15
- 21/23 June: Rule of 11
- 28/30 June: Preemptive openings
- 5/7 July: Weak 2D/2H/2S openings
- 12/14 July: Strong 2C opening
- 19/21 July: Slam bidding & Blackwood
- 26/28 July: Negative and other doubles
A full list of lessons scheduled in 2023 is here.
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 Bidding - Puppet Stayman. A full list of MTB topics for 2023 is available here.
Upcoming Events
Will Jenner O'Shea Workshop - Saturday 1 July 2023
Bidding Strong Hands and Slams (for all standards) 10am - 3pm
Topics include
- Practice your strong opening bids of 2C, 2NT and strong jump bids
- Decide when to look for slams and who should ask for aces
- Some skills to help you bid good slams and avoid bad ones
- Lots of high-level bidding practice
Play around 20 boards. Each hand has an interesting play and/or defence tip, and all hands will be discussed in detail, both bidding and playing. An excellent booklet of the lesson content is included.
Will Jenner-O’Shea has been teaching bridge for over 10 years. He has taught hundreds of Beginners, and thousands of Intermediate and Advanced players. He has taught at most of the largest Clubs in Sydney and around Australia, as well as presented bridge lessons at several National Events. He last taught at the Canberra Bridge Club in November and his lesson was very well received. Will has represented Australia and won several National events.
The event includes a delicious morning tea, a light lunch and a booklet of notes; let us know of dietary requirements on registration. Partnerships and singles are welcome. If coming as a partnership or table of four please indicate in your entry.
Cost: $50 per player
To make a booking please email Will and transfer funds via CBC pay with the reference your ABF number WJOW
Interhemispheric RealBridge Challenge - 4 July
You are invited to take part in in a huge contest, spanning vast expanses of land and sea. It all happens on Tuesday 4thJuly, at 6 pm.
This event is normal table fees in the usual manner.
There will be three pools of players. The top 20 tables will comprise the expert pool. Club players will be in the middle pool. Newcomers to the game and learners (having played more than 6 months) will be in their own pool. In the newcomers pool we will play 2 fewer boards, so that we all end at the same time.
To enter please email the office, we will liaise with RealBridge Australia to coordinate entries.
BFACT InterClub Teams - 16 July
CBC Is hosting the InterClub Teams here at CBC on 16 July.
There are Novice, Restricted, Intermediate and Senior categories. There is no limit on the number of teams playing.
To enter as a pair or team please use the online booking form or email the office before 30 June 2023.
We are looking for players willing to reserve for the Interclub Team events on 16 July, in case players are sick or otherwise unable to play on the day. Players of any standard are welcome, and if you are needed, you play for free. We are also looking for players who might be able to make up a fourth player for some of the regional teams. If you are available, please email the tournament convener, Roger Brake.
Beginners Lessons - Coming soon
The next beginners lessons start on Wednesday 7pm on 2 August or Friday 10am on 4 August. If you have family or friends that would like to learn, get them to register online here.
Competitive Bidding and Play
Competitive Bidding and Play Training with Barb Toohey is coming soon on 8 August. The course will run for 4-weeks from 10am to noon. This is the next step after the beginners lessons, and suitable for Novice & Supervised Players.
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.
Canberra in Bloom Congress - Friday 29 September to Monday 2 October 2023
Mixed Teams with PQPs, Pairs & Teams events for Novice, Restricted & Open. Save the date and see MyABF in due course for more detail. Enquiries
BFACT Upcoming Director's Courses - save the dates
Saturday 24th June
- focused on existing directors - covering judgment rulings
Sat/Sun 18 & 19 November
- For new or in-training directors.
Results
The Barry Turner Teams concluded last night.
Congratulations to our winning teams:
1. Pam Crichton, Julia Hoffman, David Hoffman & David Wawn
2. Andrew Spooner, Stephen Fischer, Christy Geromboux, Sebastian Yuen & George Kozakos.
In the contest for Under 750 Master points CBC respresentation in the Australian Wide RealBridge Teams Knockout,Team Blue defeated Team Green. Kerry Butcher, Tamara Cutcliffe, Ruitian Lang, Chris and Morag Lokan and Paul Nelson will represent CBC in the 6 month competition.
Lighter Moments
I tried to catch some fog. I mist.
When chemists die, they barium.
Jokes about German sausages are the wurst.
I know a guy who's addicted to brake fluid. He says he can stop any time.
How does Moses make his tea? Hebrews it.
I stayed up all night to see where the sun went.Then it dawned on me.
This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.
I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I can't put it down.
Be kind in all things
Tamara (for Kerry and Tamara)
