The Traralgon Bridge Club Annual General Meeting heralded a big start to a new year of bridge in the Latrobe Valley.  Outgoing President, Don Tylee, reported on a very difficult year for the club in 2020 but signalled bright times ahead for both old and new members. 
Having been flooded out of their former premises at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve in June 2020, the club has now found a new home at the Masonic Lodge function room in Oswald Street, Traralgon. 
Members are also now coming back to bridge after the difficulties and interruptions of COVID-19 restrictions and table numbers are almost back to pre-pandemic numbers.  “It was a very difficult with interruptions to our calendar meaning that some annual championships could not be held and there were changes regarding mask and contact rules that made continuity of play rather difficult,” Don noted. 
Don’s last action as President was to award Moira Hecker with Life Membership of the club.  “Moira has been on the committee for 18 years and has held numerous leadership positions both at Traralgon Bridge Club and in the regional bridge association.  She has been recognised for her willingness to step into difficult roles when needed and also for organising regional and state-wide congresses for the club,” he said.  
The AGM has heralded in a new era for the club – with a new committee and office bearers who have stepped up to lead the club.  New President, Greg Nicholson has brought together an enthusiastic committee who are concentrating on developing new members and learning opportunities for all players.  “Now that we have an excellent facility at our disposal we can once again welcome new members into the club and help them to take up this wonderful game”, said Greg.

(Photo) Outgoing President, Don Tylee (left) presents Moira Hecker (middle) with her Life Membership, with incoming President Greg Nicholson (right) looking on.

The Reynolds Team were the victors in the Teams Championship with an excellent performance over the two weeks.  Mark and Deb Reynolds combined with Kevin and Marion Taylor to defeat the Graham Team, comprising Rob Graham, Ken Tierney, Egbert Tzoe and Fred Kaminski by 4.39 victory points in the five-match game.  Both teams won four of their five matches in very convincing style.

The second week of Traralgon Bridge Club’s Thursday Pairs Championship provided a very close finish with Anna Field and Ken Tierney just beating Glenis Lohr and Egbert Tzoe by 0.14 percent.  Anna and Ken played an excellent game in the second week to catch Glenis and Egbert who were the early leaders after round one.

Players will now turn their minds to the Monday Teams Championships to be played soon.  Club President, Anne Den Houting said that one of the best things about bridge is that it can be played in a variety of formats which suit different styles and skill levels.  “Teams are formed by two pairs and the competition is more like match play”, she said.  “This often suits players who are good at defence and can be even more tactical in its nature”. 

If you are interested in learning to play bridge, please contact Helen on 0438 164 528.  Free lessons are available and there is no obligation to join the club.

22 March 2021

Marion and Kevin Taylor have taken out the first championship for the year at the Traralgon Bridge Club, winning the Monday night Pairs Competition over two weeks recently.  They managed to hold off an excellent second week performance by Mark and Deb Reynolds to win by 3.5 percentage points.  Ken Tierney and Rob Graham finished in third place, just ahead of Barbara Brabets and Anne Moloney.  The results were: Marion and Kevin Taylor 58.84 percent; Mark and Deb Reynolds 55.42 percent; Ken Tierney and Rob Graham 51.41 percent; Barbara Brabets and Anne Moloney 51.27%. 

9th March 2021

We are now successfully running two sessions per week - following the new COVID protocols and using table screens - with our biggest turnout in 2021 so far being 8 tables.  We are allowed to have up to 48 people in the club room (11 -  12 tables) on the condition that we are setup to use a QR code to check-in players.  Whilst we can supplement this with sign in sheets it is preferred that we use QR technology as much as possible.

To check-in using QR you MAY need to download a QR reader app on your smartphone - or some newer phones have QR reader built in. I use the Service Victoria app but you can use any other reader.  Then, when you come to the club you will see sheets on the COVID monitor table and inside the bridge venue.  Just open your app, position your phone above the scanning area on the sheet.  It then should automatically scan and on the first time will ask for your name and phone number.  After that if you save your details it will just remember them for next time.  You will know that it is successful when you get a big green tick.  If there are current COVID exposure sites in Victoria, we do need to ask if you have been to any of them - there are lists of these sites that you can view as you come into the club.

We only have 8 screened tables so any member who needs to use a screened table for health reasons should speak to the director who will organise this.  We want all members to feel safe when they come to bridge.  Correctly fitted and worn masks are mandatory at all times inside the club room - your mask must cover your mouth and nose at all times.  Please respect other members and the current COVID laws.  Please also speak to director if you are unable to use sanitiser or have a mask exemption.  One thing I have noticed about the screens being on the tables is that it is a bit more difficult to hear and there is a bit more noise bouncing around the room.  But it is much more fun than on-line bridge and so nice to see friends again. 

This year's AGM will be held on Monday 29th March at 6:30pm and will be followed by the 2nd week of the Monday night teams championship.  Please put this in your diary.
 
A big thanks to Phillip Goode who has agreed to Direct our Thursday pairs championship - stay tuned for dates.

Thanks once again for your cooperation and good humour as we negotiate our way through our return to bridge.  We have had a number of compliments and enquiries from other clubs who are keen to follow our example.  

We couldn't do this without you.   
cheers
Helen

There will be a "deuce prize" and prizes for the best hat etc.

Ken will be here again running all sweeps and providing an interest in watching "the horse race that stops a nation",

Club President, Helen McAdam, said that these interclub events were not only a wonderful social occasion, but provided the opportunity to play against different players and learn some new tips and techniques from some of the best players in Gippsland. “We appreciate the relationship that we have with all Gippsland bridge clubs, but this day in Meeniyan is always special for us”’ she said.

Eight teams battled it out over two weeks to decide the Monday Handicap Teams Championship. The team of Rob Graham, Kay Baxter, Fred Kaminski and Egbert Tzoe came home in a very strong second week performance to take top honours, narrowly beating the team of Peter Lonie, June Clarke, Kevin Taylor and Marion Taylor.

Club President, Helen McAdam, congratulated the team and noted that it had been a very big fortnight for Rob Graham who was also part of the winning Traralgon Grand National Open Teams event and also paired with Peter Lonie to score more than 70% in a recent Thursday club competition. 

Congratulations to all twelve teams who competed this  year in a very closely contested 2019 Tuesday Teams Championships.

The team of Fred Kaminski, Fred Sundermann and Anita and David Hawkins finished as the winners with 160.34 VP's after week two of competition.

Glenis Lohr, Rob Graham and Lou and Lynne Veenstra finished second with 151.30 VP's.

Anne Howes, Hannah Green, Pat Still, Doreen King and Egbert TZoe finished in a very hotly contested third place with 134.00 Vp's.

In the Sunday teams competition, Traralgon players Fred Kaminski, Egbert Tzoe, Robyn Couch and Ken Tierney did well to come fifth in a strong field.

Two more items of interest

The new Thursday competition commences at 1.00pm (remember to arrive at least 15 minutes before this)

The Tuesday Teams events are coming up rapidly so put your team on the list on the noticeboard. Dates are Tuesday 12th and Tuesday 19th of February.

Monday's Dinner and the evening  was a great success very similar to last Tuesday's Dinner, except the hearty rendition of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer was performed by duet Helen and Heather who also danced their way through the performance.

The poor deuce prize was tossed around all night again and again finished with Ken Tierney. (Ken is considering going professional).

The pictures of all the happy winners are shown above with N/S being won by Hannah Green and Pat Still with 59.52%, E/W winners were a very happy Helen Porter and Anne Den Houting with 63.10%, the Secret Percentage (51.2%) was won by Monika Cornell and Michael Zarb with the incredibly close score of 51.19%. Hannah Green was an obvious winner of the Best Dressup prize

Traralgon Bridge Club has recently completed two handicap teams championships at the club. Club President, Helen McAdam, said that teams events are an interesting form of the game, where good defensive technique is rewarded. “It is a bit like golf match play”, she said. “ Two teams play against each other in a match comprising between six and nine boards, or hands. Each team will play against all others and the winner is usually the team that wins the most matches.” “In handicapped teams, an experienced pair is teamed up with a less experienced pair which evens the field and makes for a very exciting, and often very close competition”, Helen added.

The Tuesday handicap teams event was won by Geoff Dixon, Jocelyn Pilmore, Lynne Veenstra and Lou Veenstra.

Tuesday Handicapped Teams: Dixon team 157 VPs, Elkington team 147 VPs; Baxter team 142 VPs. 

Monday night players then played for the CFA teams shield, also a handicapped event. Winners were Barbara Brabets, Doreen King, Marion Taylor and Kevin Taylor.

Monday CFA team shield: Brabets team 64.12 VPs; Tierney team 54.45 VPs; McAdam team 52.87 VPs

Joe awarding Best Traralgon Team prize to from left to right Lynne Veenstra, Lou Veenstra, Robyn Couch and Ken Tierney

Heather Knorr and Rhonda Van Dyke took out the Bridge Club’s Monday night pairs championship recently.

Played over two weeks, this is one of two open pairs championships played by the club each year and is a real test of skill stamina. Heather and Rhonda were clear leaders in the north/west position after the first week, with Heather Watt and Anne Howes leading the east/west position.

In the second week, they held on from an excellent performance by Fred Kaminski and Egbert Tzoe to win the event by 0.47%, with Marion and Kevin Taylor close behind in third position.

Club President, Moira Hecker, congratulated all pairs on their performances over the two weeks. “it is great to see such close competition,” she said. “Heather and Rhonda have been an excellent and consistent pair over many years and it is wonderful to see their names added to the honour board.”

Membership fees are now due, being $30 full membership and $20 associate membership.

You can pay by cash or cheque to John, or by bank transfer.

Details are BSB 633108 / Account number 159521640. Please add your surname if paying by transfer so John knows who it is.

Kind regards, Marion

A great day was organised by Marion and the committee and it and the meal were thoroughly enjoyed by all.

After a rousing rendition of "Rudolph the red nosed Reindeer" by duet Geoff and Pat the following prizes were awarded:-

N/S winners Greg Nicholson and Jean Barbour with 60.47%

E/w winners Anne Den Houting and Ken Tierney with 64.09%

Mystery percentage (49.3%) winners were Bee Bodin and Liz McKenzie

Best dressed up was shared by Phil Goode and Robyn Couch and her reindeer

The deuce prize (the poor little soft elephant) was tossed from one winner to another all day but finally came to rest with the final winner and was awarded to Ken Tierney

The club has been attracting big fields in its weekly competitions and has decided to add a Thursday Competition session to its program.

The club will trial this for two months with a view to making it a permanent session in its calendar.

Members have responded well to this initiative, with six tables competing last Thursday.

Ken Tierney & Robyn Couch scored a very impressive  70.37% to win the inaugural Thursday session.

 Barbara Brabets, Doreen King, Marion Taylor and Kevin Taylor with the CFA teams shield

After two weeks of competition the results were very close with the team as shown of Monika Cornell & Michael Zarb with Anne Howes & Heather Watt winning with 74 VPs.

Coming second were the team of Fred Kaminski & Egbert Tzoe with Rob Graham & Fred Sunderland with 70 Vps.

Third place was taken by the team of Mark & Deb Reynolds with Kevin & Marion Taylor with 68 VPs.

Best Monday Results

23rd December - Howell - Fred Kaminski & Egbert Tzoe - 74%%

Best Tuesday Results

26th November - E/W Pairs - Anne Den Houting & Ken Tierney - 66.26%

10th December - N/S Pairs - Peter Lonie & Fred Kaminski - 68.25%

31st December  - Howell - Egbert Tzoe & Fred Sundermann - 67.74%

Best Thursday Results

21st November - Howell - Greg Nicholson & Rob Graham - 66.67%

5th December - Howell - Peter Lonie & Marion Taylor - 66.94%

9th January - Howell - Peter Lonie & Marion Taylor - 71.88%

Fred Kaminski and Egbert Tzoe had a 74% on Monday 23rd December followed by that top pair of Marion Taylor and Peter Lonie on Thursday 9th January with a 71.88%.

Well done everyone.