Spotlights
In 1974, I was offered a job in the NSW Dept of Education as a 22-year- old recent graduate from a university in the US. It was a 2-year stint tax free from both countries so I jumped at the chance.
Soon after arriving I met my husband-to-be who already played bridge. I grew up playing a lot of cards – mostly with my grandmother who changed the rules in Canasta each time we played (or so it seemed)! Playing so many games growing up led me to want to join Graham and his friends to learn how to play bridge.
Introducing this month’s member spotlight, Gino Morello. Gino has told me that he has played bridge since he was 19 years old. He learned to play bridge in Asmara (Eretria) where he shared lodgings with a fellow boarder who taught him how to play. Gino was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and had an English education. He has many language skills in his repertoire, being fluent in Arabic, English, French, and of course Italian, and possibly more!
In Gino's words: An opportunity arose when I was 19, to take up a vacancy in the accounts department of British Airways (BOAC) in Asmara, where I had worked for six years and prior to this in Aden for ten years, before I left to live in Australia in 1965. I had studied Financial Accounting, and so I transferred to British Airways (BOAC), Australia, and worked as a Financial Director for them until my retirement at 63 years old. I then took an accounting position with Global Aviation, where I worked until I was 80 years old.
I was sad to her of the passing of Rowan Sault. She died on 16 May after a four month battle with cancer. Rowan's partner Beth Bretnall attended the funeral.
Rowan was so brave, continuing to attend Peninsula Bridge Club several time a week for as long as she could. She was always interested in all that happened in people’s lives and was a great supporter of my sporting and theatrical activities .
She was a highly respected and loved member of the club for over ten years and will be missed particularly by those in the “Relaxed Row”!
I have been playing bridge for sixteen years, when I moved to Australia from England, I know I needed to find some “new” friends, and the best way to do that is to pursue hobbies. I had always enjoyed card playing in England, my father is a bridge player, so I thought it was time to learn.
I looked up Peninsula Bridge Club in the phone directory, and first spoke to Ada Duigan, who at the time I think was organising beginner classes. I signed up for beginner classes which started on Monday mornings and were run by Greg Quittner. My first partner was a lady called Doreen. I have lived on Collaroy Plateau for sixteen years.
Jean Morey was born in the United Kingdom. She came to Australia, then New Zealand, followed by Chile, Poland, East Germany (Berlin) then Kuala Lumpar and back here. Her husband was Trade Commissioner and everywhere they went, Jean started Bridge Clubs and taught bridge among many other things.
Her ABF bridge number dates back to 1985 - as you can image, most of her playing was overseas but she has been an excellent ambassador for the game.
Jean turned 90 on 10 May 2017. And still plays at Peninsular on a regular basis - generally Mondays, but also played at our Charity Night last Friday.
We are spotlighting Verl Lawrence this month. She does not need much of an introduction.
Verl is a long-time resident living on the Northern beaches. She was born and raised in Newcastle, and lived there until she married at 21 years. She then lived in Tamworth, where her first son was born. Her husband was transferred to Sydney, where she has lived ever since.
She has been playing bridge for 30 years. She was a student of John Roberts who taught bridge at Manly Warringah Bridge Club.
My name is Betty Brodie. I learned to play bridge some 35 years ago at the Lindfield Bridge Club. This has been closed for some years and I transferred to the Peninsula Bridge Club which I knew from playing several games there with friends.
I lived at St Ives but played golf for 30 years at Mona Vale Golf Club so I was familiar with the northern beaches and know many people there.
We moved to Turramurra six years ago to a retirement village which only involves five minutes extra driving time and I enjoy the trip through the Forest. Neither my husband nor any family members play bridge. I always wanted to learn and enjoy it immensely, both the competition and the comradeship. I usually play twice a week.
