Member News
Verl Lawrence passed away quietly a few days ago.
Verl was a Life Member and took on many roles on the Committee and also many volunteer duties in her over 30 years of being a member – Tea Lady, Masterpoint Secretary, Director, Vice-President, President and Chief Director for 17 years.
She won many competitions and was a National Congress Director. She was always friendly and helpful to new directors and had a great sense of humour.
The Lawrence Shield competition was created in 2017 when she retired as Chief Director to celebrate the huge contribution she and her husband John had made to the club.
Club member Michael Draper passed away on Friday 18th June, following a recent diagnosis of aggressive brain cancer - leaving his wife Margaret, also a PBC member.
I was fortunate to have Michael take me under his wing as a partner some 20 years ago - he introduced me to competitive play at the interclub and state level. He loved the game (and also loved chess).
These pursuits and his career as a software engineer exemplify his keen mind. He gave me a 30 page set of system notes to master, but on the other hand wasn't afraid of trusting his well-tuned intuition or gut instinct at the table over our system. For example he used to often lead short suits against no-trump contracts, frequently finding my long suit based on his assessment of the bidding.
He was patient and gentle as a bridge partner, hiding even surprise at some of the bids and plays I made.
More players like Michael would be very welcome. He will be missed at the bridge table.
We have recently celebrated some very significant birthdays at the Club.
Our beautiful vivacious Bernice Yeates turned 90 on 21 April and was presented with a lovely bouquet of flowers and a card ( although a bit late!). Bernice is always the first to put her hand up to help in any way.
Handsome Jim Fairley turned 90 on 3 May. Jim was given a bottle of his favourite and a card. Jim and his wife Edna were very involved in dealing for the Club.
A retired member whom I am sure we all adored and admired, Grace Park, recently turned 101. Always friendly, courteous and happy. Congratulations Grace
We note with sadness the passing of member, Tony Colenbrander, on Sunday 25 April 2021.
Tony was a relatively new bridge player, learning with Sue Falkingham when he joined the Club four years ago. He played regularly, both at the clubhouse and online, usually with his brother Derek. Tony loved playing at the Club and really enjoyed the social element.
His brother, Derek, and Derek's wife Heidi are club members, and we extend our condolences to them and to Derek's family.
Long time member, Betty Bevins, died on Thu 1 Jul 2021. She will be missed by many members.
Betty was among our beginner students and joined the club in 2011, while in her mid to late 80s, a keen learner. She enjoyed the game and the social connections it brought.
Cath Whiddon attended the memorial service and reported "It was a good reminder of how wonderful it is to introduce people to the game of bridge and provide a welcoming club for them to find fun, friends and stimulation - all her family came over to talk about how much their Mother/Nana loved her bridge and the social enjoyment she experienced at our club. Personal symbols placed on her casket included a deck of cards."
You can read the Sydney Morning Herald tribute and the opening page and middle pages of her funeral program.
Robyn was a very kind, thoughtful person who was always cheerful with a big smile on her face despite her apparent ill health. She loved playing bridge and she loved gardening.
For many years Robyn propagated plants and gave them to our Club so they could be sold and the money donated to charity. She was very humble and never wanted any recognition for her contribution.
Robyn was a life member of the club.
Her family invite all her friends to a Celebration of her life to be held at Club Belrose (146 Forest Way, Belrose) between 2-5pm on Friday 3rd December.
It is with sadness that we advise that Brian Workman died on Monday 4 October 2021, succumbing to a rare aggressive cancer.
A member since 2013, Brian was a regular player in our Monday and Thursday afternoon sessions and will be missed.
We understand Brian's funeral will be held on Thu 14 October. Bridge partner and friend, Yvonne Edwards, is in touch with the family and is happy to be the contact for further information on 0497 868 600 or by email on
I first got to know Gerrit Visser many years ago through our connection to the Dutch Club in Frenchs Forest. Gerry, as he was known to his Anglo-Australian friends, was a tireless worker for this Club.
He was always jovial, with a wonderful sense of humour. He always had a wide smile on his face. In his professional life he was an electrician, but still found time to do volunteering for Vinnies which he continued in his retirement.
He was a member of PBC for many years, where he played with his wife Vonya and in later years his friend Piet Smit.
He was a gentle man and a gentleman who will be sadly missed.
