Our Club
The Jamberoo Croquet Club was formed in 1997 by a small band of dedicated volunteers who assisted in the building of the greens and the equipment shed. Since then, the club has continued to grow and develop with some assistance from Government authorities but, largely, through the efforts of its members.
The club has 3 full sized Croquet Lawns and a membership of about 85 players.
Two croquet codes are played: Association Croquet & Golf Croquet.
Legally, the Club is classified as an Association with its constitution registered with the NSW Office of Fair Trading.
Lawn Usage
Lawns and equipment can be made available for hire to community groups (such as Probus groups) on Monday mornings (except for maintenance days).
History of the Club
A history of Jamberoo Croquet Club compiled by member Judy McCumstie.
But now to our club. Here on most days of the week you’ll find a varying number of blue and white clad enthusiasts, each armed with a dangerous looking mallet, and with an ominous look in their eyes.
At Jamberoo, Miss Annie Reid, who built Gundarimbah in 1929 started the practice of having charity days at which croquet was played. Much later on another enthusiast, Audrey Lamb, thought that croquet would be a great game to introduce to Jamberoo. So, the club’s recent history started in 1996 with a demonstration of croquet given by Bill and Margaret Coffey, from the Southern Highlands, close to where the club house is now. The day was a successful one, with 49 people enjoying croquet with champagne. Sadly, champagne was not established as a regular morning tea tradition.
Audrey Lamb organised a number of coaching days and following an advertisement in the Kiama Independent kicked off the first proper game on January 24, 1997. She became our club’s first President, and you can see her photo in the clubhouse.
At first the lawns were makeshift, and strings had to be used to set up the courts each time they played. Two equipment trolleys were made, and Kiama Council agreed to let us use the old Tennis shed as a club house. From then on members hammered, painted, sewed, donated and begged to help transform the old tennis shed into Jamberoo’s first croquet club house.
The Jamberoo Bowling and Recreation club kindly offered to affiliate the new club under their umbrella and by the end of 1997 there were 17 members.
In October 1998, with help from $10,600 grant from the Dept of Sport and Recreation, our first lawn was laid.
By the end of 1999, after more energetic fund-raising, our second lawn was laid and the club was officially opened on 13th March 1999 by Peter Taverner, NSW President of the Croquet Players’ Association. The Mayor of Kiama, Bob Harrison, was present, as were the President of the Kiama Sports Association Col Rathbone and Greg Walsh, President of the Jamberoo Sports Association.
With the help of a further grant of $3,000 from the Kiama Sporting Association and with members supplying most of the manpower, an equipment shed and outdoor seating were erected. With lawns laid, a clubhouse and some outdoor seating the club was progressing rapidly.
In 2004 a further grant from the Dept of Sports and Recreation provided funds for an irrigation system.
In 2009 again with much enthusiasm and manpower provided by members, the club’s permanent club house rose from the ground. Time for big celebrations after the hard work and fund-raising efforts needed.
Soon, with increasing club membership, a 3rd lawn was deemed necessary and in 2010, a 3rd lawn was laid outside the club’s boundary, on an area shared with the junior cricket group. This project was totally funded by Jamberoo Croquet Club.
During this time Association Croquet, Golf Croquet and Gateball have all been played at the club, although there is no Gateball on offer at present.
Club members have taken part in various tournaments and in the NSW Pennants competitions. Perhaps one of our claims to fame is that one of our members, Stan Brierley, was the only croquet player in NSW who played from his wheelchair.
During the past 36 years the club has progressed, a tribute to the work of its members, and this is a tradition that still continues.
