The Lismore Croquet Club has been an integral part of the Lismore community since 1928. This week the club had a pleasant double surprise. 

The first was when Linda Perry-Pollard, the clubs marketing coordinator submitted an entry into the 2024 NSW Seniors Local Achievement Awards in the Health and Wellbeing category in secret. The second was, they won.

As part of Lismore Seniors Week, local achievement nominations were held. Linda saw the promotion and recalled her thoughts at the time, “We haven't got a hope in Hades of winning,” but was told, “You’ve got to be in it to win it” so applied.

“I was surprised to get a call from Belle at the office and she told me we had won. I said, “You’re kidding, right?”

Linda and Fay Ross, the Club Captain, attended the awards ceremony. Fay said, “The recognition is fantastic. For the club and the health and wellbeing benefits of playing croquet.” “It’s a great way to have a laugh and make new friends!” added Linda, “and maybe people will start to realise where the croquet clubhouse is!” 

There has been confusion and surprise at the croquet lawns location - in close proximity to the CBD on Molesworth Street. “It’s only been there for 90 years,” the ladies laugh.

Linda joined the Lismore Croquet Club in the middle of last year and has been impressed with their “Strong, Can Do,” which she says is a direct reflection of the Lismore Community.

The efforts made by those post floods to save historical artefacts caught people’s attention. Linda spoke of the club members who “rolled up their sleeves, wading in mud and devastation, saving anything they could. Their positive, proud country enthusiasm attracted other locals and sight-seer tourists volunteering to help.”

The benefits of playing croquet and the range of members from university students to retirees as an “affordable, low impact sport, that improves members physical and mental health,” were key factors to their win.  The sport provides, “thought-provoking, problem-solving, team building activities” and an opportunity to “practise business and marketing skills in the real world while making lifelong friends.”

At the awards ceremony, Linda and Fay spoke about the longevity of their club which held their 90+ anniversary last year after the actual 90th Anniversary was delayed by the advent of COVID and flood disasters.

“It was really their 95th anniversary last November 3rd. In 1928, a Mrs. Mackenzie started the club on that date.” Fay added, “The club has been used continually since its inception, except for a short period during the wars. I am very proud of the club for pulling itself out of the mud, literally, the work members have done, getting grants and everything. It's been incredible.”

“The club has taken a hit in membership numbers after many people moved away post-flood," Linda explained, "We are actively looking for new members to come along and join the sport, locally.

You can check out their Facebook page or call them on 02 6622 6030 to find out more information.

On April 12th, they are holding an open social event. “It’s how I first got involved with the club,” Linda said, “Everyone is welcome.”