Sunday’s High Tea, Bridge and Auction was a HUGE SUCCESS – Thank you all.

On Sunday, August 14, no less than 130 people convened at the Bridge Club for a fun afternoon. 30 tables played an enjoyable round of bridge, organised by Norm, ably assisted by Sam Simpson and other volunteer Directors. The scores were amazing… with Ruth Sweatman and Norm Silcock coming out on top….a round of drinks before and during helped some…we even had enthralled kibitzers!

 The High Tea was “scrumptious”, according to one very happy lady…complete with sandwiches and assorted cakes, thanks to our dedicated kitchen team and their helpers. The organisation was seamless, and we were treated to tea and plunger coffee in Royal Doulton style.

 Our AUCTION, with an amazing array of quality items, was a huge success…early reports suggest a profit in the region of $15,000…which will help our flagging coffers immensely. The Auction Catalogue was a work of art…and, with fine encouragement from Isaac, our auctioneer, everyone got into the bidding action…and some who missed out happily donated their intended contributions anyway.

 But most importantly all would agree the afternoon was a huge boost to the mood of the Club. The  numbers present, the generosity of both auction item donors, and all the bidders (successful and unsuccessful), and just the fabulous party atmosphere, all spoke to the success of this venture. In the words of Ruth Sweatman, “…the organisation was superb in every way, the mood in the hall was SO positive, it was great to see so many bridge players having such fun, young and old….Yes, the whole Club is now humming again…”

 Thank you  to everyone who helped make this happen. Kate, Jackie Blue, Deidre Gunn, Sue Handley, Norm and Hugh formed the High Tea Subcommittee, fully supported by everyone on the Club Committee. Our catering “supremas” (Jill Ussher, Sue Sherwood and Sue Handley), assisted by many keen kitchen hands, made it all look so easy….. thanks to those who created and those who donated, including Kerryn and Steve O’Brien who gifted a mountain of fresh bread. And thank you to Pat Ware and Derek Webb for your work behind the bar.

Thank you to Isaac, our enthusiastic auctioneer…he obviously did his homework, and we enjoyed his bridge term banter. A very big thanks to all those who donated auction items…a lot more fun will be enjoyed over coming months as successful bidders (a big thank you to you too) enjoy the fruits of their bidding. Everyone’s generosity was simply “amazing”.

But mostly, a massive Club thank you to Kate, our beloved Club President, without whose vision, drive, positivity, creative talent and personal generosity, this event simply would not have happened. Kate, the huge, spontaneous standing ovation you received said it all….

Pictures will be added soon. If you have any pictures of the High Tea , please email them to Deidre at  deidrelgunn@gmail.com