The Southport Croquet Club, located in Southport, Queensland, turned back the clock this past weekend, celebrating its 90th anniversary with a garden party filled with laughter, champagne and, of course, croquet.
When the club first formed in 1935, the Gold Coast was a sleepy seaside town of just a few thousand people, and a loaf of bread cost only a few pence. Ninety years on, the Southport Croquet Club stands as Queensland’s largest, with its nearly 100 members enjoying all four codes of the game – Association, Golf, Gateball and Ricochet.
Guests at Sunday’s celebration (October 26) enjoyed friendly games on the lawns, live entertainment from a singer and comedian, and a community lunch under the marquee.
Members donned vintage whites and old uniforms in tribute to the club’s long and colourful history. Club President Charlie Ernst said Southport’s story mirrors the evolution of the Gold Coast itself.
“When the Southport Croquet Club was inaugurated, it leased four courts at a private residence called Wychcourt before moving to its current home in Queens Park in 1952,” he said. “It began as a women-only club, with men finally joining in the 1960s – though they had to buy their own cup of tea for five cents!”
The club’s history hasn’t been without challenges. When light rail construction began in 2010, the courts and car park had to be relocated, and members travelled to other clubs across the southeast to keep playing.
Today, Southport boasts a thriving membership, with several players competing at state, national and even international levels.
One beloved member, Betty James, is even older than the club itself – celebrating her 94th birthday this year.
“Croquet at Southport is more than a sport, it’s a community. We welcome new members of all ages, and our come-and-try days are always well supported,” said Ernst.
Looking ahead, the club has big ambitions. Ernst added, “We’d love to see a fourth court built here at Southport so we can host national and international tournaments. It would cement our place as Queensland’s home of croquet and secure our legacy for the next 90 years.”
Learn more about the Southport Croquet Club at www.southportcroquetclub.com.au.