M.C.C. CROQUET CLUBFormerly

GLENFERRIE HILL RECREATION CLUB

Figure 1 Clubhouse and Lawn

A CENTURY WITH V.C.A.

The Glenferrie Hill Recreation Club was established in 1908 with the purchase of the land, which we still occupy, for 495 pounds. Nine months later the Argus Newspaper reported that the Club opened with “3 tennis courts, 2 croquet greens, a 6 rink bowling green, a very handsome pavilion and caretaker’s quarters”.Nine months! Rather fast by today’s standards.

When the Victorian Croquet Association was formed in 1914, the Club had already been functioning for six years so it is of no surprise that players from G.H.R.C. figured prominently amongst the inaugural officials of the Association. It was a trend that was to continue for much of the next hundred years.

The Club still has a copy of the V.C.A.’s first Annual Report presented on Tuesday, 23rd September 1915. It states “Articles of the Association drafted by Mr. Herbert Vivian were provisionally adopted for submission to the various croquet clubs.” Mr. Herbert Vivian of the National Bank, Hawthorn was a member of G.H.R.C. He was elected as the first secretary of the Association, a position he held until his death in 1917.

Another member, Mrs. Wharton-Shaw, was appointed to the Fixtures Committee. On Mr. Herbert’s death, Mrs. Wharton-Shaw became the V.C.A. secretary (1917-21) and in 1918 V.C.A. treasurer, a position she held for 22 years.

Fifty years on found V.C.A. celebrating its golden jubilee under the presidency of Miss Florence Mackay. Miss Mackay joined the Club in her early teens as a foundation member when her father took out a family membership. She was still an active committee member 72 years later. The V.C.A. Croquet News of September 1972 carried the following item: “We wish to pay tribute to Miss Florence Mackay for her 18 years of service to croquet as a

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member of the Executive of V.C.A.” When she died Miss Mackay left the Club a substantial legacy.

THE 80’s AND 90’s

Joyce Ridley wrote “The History of Croquet in Victoria (1866 to 1980)” was also a president of V.C.A. Although Joyce “never drove a car, she managed to visit all the clubs in Victoria during her term in office”. When the Club was established in 1908, ladies were seen as Associate Members. They were not entitled to attend Club meetings or vote for the general committee. Although this was accepted in the early years more modern women found the situation intolerable. When Joyce Ridley came to the Club she was appalled to find that this situation still existed. Not to be deterred she turned up regularly at the meetings declaring she had a legal right to do so. No-one asked our Joyce to leave!

Mrs. Berta Joyner was Chairman of the Referees’ Committee and in that “capacity travelled to England to attend meetings on the laws of the game”. Mrs. Norma Rixon, a well-known identity, was chair of the Victorian Handicap Committee. Mrs. Ruth MacKay, Chairman of Referees’ Committee, and Mrs. June Whiting gave of their time and talents over many years.

MEANWHILE – BACK AT THE CLUB …

“The very handsome pavilion” was looking decidedly shabby. Money had been spent on the bowls section but the croquet rooms had been sadly neglected. This was to change in the 1980’s when the Glen Iris Club closed due to the extension of the South Eastern Freeway. The Government gave a grant of $2,000 for each member who joined another club, the money to be spent on the club they joined. Six members came to G.H.R.C. So, along with the legacy of Miss Mackay, over $14,000 was suddenly available to renovate the croquet rooms – new kitchen, bathroom, furniture and joy of joys, HOT WATER!

On the playing side, Lilah Green, Grace Horsburgh and Florence Bodycomb, all played in the Victorian State Team, as did Allan Cleland. Allan Cleland defeated the three-time world champion, Robert Fulford of Britain, during the semi-finals of the Victorian Open. Then, after winning a number of Australian awards went to America to compete in what was then looked upon as the World’s Singles Championships. Allan was runner-up in 1988 and winner in 1990. He was the Victorian Singles Champion in 1991, Australian Singles Champion in 1992, in the Australian Team in 1986, 1990 and 1991 (Captain in ’90 and ’91) and the Victorian Team ten times in the 12 year period from 1981 to 1992.

Figure 2 Pennant Teams 1992

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Allan looked back on the years as “so much fun” not only for the success of the Victorian teams but because of the close-knit group of players who followed the team to all the interstate venues. Their encouragement and strong support created camaraderie somewhat lacking in the other States. Club members, Lilah Green and Phyl Guinea, travelled to America to watch Allan play.

Since 2012 John van der Touw , (Monash , M.C.C.) has excelled at Golf Croquet winning the Australian singles and doubles titles in 2014. John has represented Australia on three occasions.

THE MERGER

As the G.H.R.C. approached its centenary, concern about the future viability of the Bowls Club were beginning to surface. With “ageing membership and diminishing income” the Bowls Committee came to the decision that within 2 – 4 years it could cease to exist. Unlike the Bowls Club the Croquet Club was never in danger of bankruptcy. Over the years the ladies had become experts at raising funds and membership was stable. Gradually after considering a number of options and conscious of the responsibility to “protect the Club’s valuable assets” the conclusion was reached that the best chance of survival was to merge with another club. Negotiations with the Melbourne Cricket Club followed, and on Friday, 31st August 2001, after 93 years, The Glenferrie Hill Recreation Club “ceased to exist but continues in spirit as the M.C.C. Croquet Club Inc.” The merger is seen by members to have been a “resounding success”.

THE LAST DECADE - GOLF CROQUET

The last decade has witnessed arguably some of the biggest changes to have taken place in the game in the 100 years of the V.C.A. Association Croquet has given way to Golf Croquet in many Victorian clubs. Association Croquet may have been where the heart was but Golf Croquet brought in players and money, which enabled the clubs to survive.

Basically M.C.C. is still an Association Croquet Club. Beginners are taught only Association croquet, however a Golf Croquet Club championship has been

Figure 3 Pennant Teams 2012

Figure 4 John van der Touw3

introduced and the Club hosts a Golf Croquet tournament as part of the V.C.A. calendar year. The Club is presently in negotiations with the M.C.C. to install lights, which may help cater for both forms of the game more comfortably. Because of the predominance of Golf Croquet players, Association Croquet Pennant and club tournaments have suffered accordingly. The four player teams and greater number of clubs are sadly missed. Special mention must go to Ken Schilling (Sandringham) who organised the Metropolitan Pennant so efficiently for so many years – or was it decades? Thanks Ken!

Our Club Association Tournament, which traditionally starts the croquet year in mid-August, is still well attended. “One of the best known players in Victoria or indeed Australia, Mr. Eddie Hunt from the Sandringham club, boasted when in his 90’s that he had played in the Glenferrie Hill Recreation Club tournament for 40 years without fail.” It’s hard to imagine such a feat in Association Croquet repeating itself in the next century. Or will the wheel have come full circle?

HAPPY CENTENARY V.C.A.

Reference and quotes from Glenferrie Hill Recreation Club – A Memoir – 1907–2001.Pamela F. Wilson and John M. Swan.

Figure 5 Alan Cleland

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