The Peninsula Bridge Club started from humble beginnings in the 1960s with 1 January 1967 deemed to be the Foundation date and 1967 the year that really saw the Club get going together with its formal establishment.
The Early Days - 1960s
In the early 1960s, Bill Bale, his wife and Ada Sloman travelled to Lindfield for their bridge - a long journey - and explored the possibilities of a local venue. Ada was a member of the Newport Women’s Bowling Club and gained permission to use one of their rooms. So in September 1966, an informal bridge group commenced - the Peninsula Bridge Circle.
Their success led to the formation of the Peninsula Bridge Club with 1 January 1967 designated as the Foundation Date. The first Committee was formed on 3 January 1967, the first session took place on 9 January 1967, the registration approved by the NSW Bridge Association shortly afterwards and the Inaugural AGM held on 8 March 1967.
The Club flourished and reached 32 tables at a special celebration night in December 1967. There was sadness around this time though as Ada Sloman, a co-founder, passed away - but lives on through the annual Sloman Cup.
One of the early Directors - Jean Stebbins is remembered in the Jean Stebbins Cup as are other members who where very active in the early days - Bruce Padman and Charles Mitchell.
The Club’s - motto 'Toujours la Politesse' - was confirmed on a plaque donated by Ena Turner in 1969.
The Middle Years - 1970s, and 1980s
The Club out-grew the small room at the Newport Women’s Bowling Club, moved to a larger room and soon out-grew that also. So, on 4 January 1974, Peninsula Bridge Club moved to the Mona Vale Golf Club and had an annex to the Golf Club as its own room - a very real identity was now established.
It was at the Mona Vale Golf Club that Peninsula Bridge Club became the Club we know today - run by volunteers, with many regular weekly sessions, tournaments and congresses.
The Modern Years - 1990s onwards
The Club moved again in 1990 to the Nelson Heather Centre after many discussions with Warringah Shire Council and at this time formally registered itself as Peninsula Bridge Club Inc.
The premises used at the Nelson Heather Centre were being stretched soon after the Club moved there so in 1995, there commenced a long and arduous process of getting the Clubhouse we occupy today. Also commenced at that time, was a fund raising process to finance the construction of a new club premises.
Many options were considered through 1995 to 1999 before a proposal to substantially extend, enhance and refurbish the Nelson Heather Centre was accepted by the Pittwater Council. This was a joint project between Pittwater Council and Peninsula Bridge Club to build a new hall at the Centre, together with many other refurbishments.
The Bridge Club would then have its own Clubhouse. Funding for the construction costs was managed jointly, with the Club contributing around $200,000 including a loan and contribution from the ABF.
A Gala Opening ceremony was held on 5 March 2000 to celebrate the completion and occupation of the rooms we use today. The management of this process by the Club was undertaken by Michael Marks, president from 1996 to 2000 and he is remembered in a trophy with his name on it.
Presidents
Here is the list of all Club Presidents:
- 1967 Mr F J Bale
- 1968 - 1970 Mr R W Hawkins
- 1971 - 1972 Mr J Humphries
- 1973 - 1974 Mr C Mitchell
- 1975 - 1976 Mr J Marchant
- 1977 Mrs C Vermeulen
- 1978 - 1980 Mr C Mitchell
- 1981 - 1982 Mr R Roberts
- 1983 - 1984 Mrs B Auburn
- 1985 - 1987 Mrs N Loxton
- 1988 - 1990 Dr J Castle
- 1991 - 1992 Mrs M Archibald
- 1993 - 1995 Mr R Fairlie
- 1996 - 2000 Mr M Marks
- 2001 - 2002 Mrs V Lawrence
- 2003 Mr S Kotzander
- 2004 Mr T Pratten
- 2005 - 2006 Mrs S Riley
- 2007 Mr A Duignan
- 2008 - 2011 Mr C Chase
- 2012 - 2014 Mr A Davies
- 2015 Mrs S Riley
- 2016 Mr M Loomes
Compiled from Club documents including, especially, ‘History of the Peninsula Bridge Club’, Bill Bale (1974); and ‘A.M.E.T. “E.T” ’ (1993)
