Welcome to the Autumn 2008 edition of Members Corner

There was no fooling around at the BC on Tuesday April 1st when the first 'Wine & Pizza Event'of the year was held. The club promised free pizzas and then just before play it was announced that the the game for the evening was also free.. A good night was had for all 56 players that attended the evening . Photos

	Words of Wisdom: Overcalls by Ron Klinger in the SMH on May 6th . This may be of interest to some of you..click here

12 members traveled to Port McQuarie the weekend of May 3/4 for the Pairs and Teams Congress. These times are great for members not to only be part of a congress but also to get together as a diverse group,socially, when play is not in progress

From left to right:Pam Jones, Gayle Keenan, Judith Carpenter, Barbara Herring, Magda Kiraly, Pat Haigh, Berneice Kearney & Ben Raaphorst

	'Bridge for Brains' which was held at the club on 5 May raised $1,935 for research into Alzheimer Disease . Thanks to all who contributed to the day

News from the committee:

• carpets and windows have been cleaned
• new cards purchased
• card holders purchased for members who have difficulty holding the cards
• honour board updated
• organising the May congress
• more tables have been bought for the Super Congress
• there have been some changes made by the ABF on the rules; new rule books have been ordered by the club for the directors

New ABF Rules:

An updated set of rules will come into effect on 1 June.  Copies of the new rules are available for directors now and will be in use from Monday 2nd June. There’s some very detailed analysis of the changes but the main one of interest to players is that a 2c response to partners opening of 1NT no longer needs to be cirlcled ; its now 'self alerting'

Anyone interested in the new rules and regulations click onto this link

Bridge Crossword; from "Your Daily Bulletin" provided by the Gold Coast Congress 1 March 2008. This is in a word format so it can be printed off easily

Crossword Solution

Our thoughts have been with with Beth Shalvey and Connie Stewart whose husbands died just recently. It is good to see you both back at the club again

*Ben and Magda are the Club Championship winners for 2008.*

The CHBC held its annual Swiss Teams congress the weekend of the 17/18 May. This was a huge success the the club house was filled to maximum capacity. Out of the 28 teams that attended there were there local successes . The team of Ben Raaphorst, Magda Kiraly, Doug O'Meara & Roslyn Howes came 3rd in the Open Section; the team of Shirley Rogers, Elaine Rae, Christine Atwal & Pauly Griffin came 2nd in the Intermediate Section and the team of Cliff Mitchell, Brian Doust, Ivan Bride & Ivan Redwood won the Restricted Section . Photos

On Monday, 9th June the club held the "Queens Birthday teams" . A lot of work was put by the committee to make this event the success it was. The team of Robert Smallwood, Margaret Craig, Celma Coupe and Lyn Coupe won Section A and the team of Christine Atwal, Pauly Griffin, Tom Free & Judy Paul won Section B. Congratulations to you all. There were other prizes as well and this combined with a lovely afternoon tea plus drinks and nibbles at the end made the afternoon particularly a special one. Thanks to Tad Soroczynkski for the photos

Hot off the Press :The ABF have inaugurated a brand new pairs competition, the Grand National Pairs Championship of Australia(GNP). The GNP will be played as match-pointed pairs and is open to players who have not achieved Life Master status. The format is modeled on the format of the GNOT. The tournament will have three stages. Early rounds( Club Selection) will be played in Clubs. Successful pairs from the Club Selection stage will be eligible to compete in the Regional Final . Successful pairs from the Regional Finals will qualify for the National Final. Gold Points on an extended scale will be awarded at every stage of the GNP.The ABF is in fact allowing clubs to play between 3 & 7 sessions and they can run more than one Club selection .However, the total number of GNP Club Selection sessions that any Club may run cannot not exceed 15. This "gold point bonanza" is exciting news for bridge players chasing gold points.Apart from the GNOT and the 5 congresses which award gold points , it means that players now have the chance to earn them in their own club without the hassle and cost of leaving home. Gold points are being awarded to 75% of the field at Club Selection and 100% at the Regional and National Final .At our own club the GNP will run on 4 Mondays and 4 Fridays in June/July. Good luck to all of you who are competing in it

	A bridge player, who wishes to remain anonomous, has dotated a new bridge clock. The club would like to say a big THANK YOU

The GNOT which was held at the club during July has just finished . Congratulations to Libby Power, Marion Mostyn, Judith Carpenter & Nigel McIvor whose team came first. They were in fact undefeated.Robyn Bingham, Betty Nevell, Pam Jones & Madge Goudie's team came 2nd. These 2 teams will represent the club at the Regional final which is being held at the Nambucca Valley Bridge Club early October.

The Club welcomes back Merle Dyer. Merle has been working in the NT. Its good to have you back Merle.

So what's on the horizon for the Bridge Club. . On Monday 21st July the Australia Wide Novice Pairs takes place. This is open to any player who has under 50mps. On the 4th August there is our annual Anniversary teams;this is a popular event.Then there is our own Super Congress mid August. As I finish off this newsletter it's only 49 sleeps until the the Welcome Cocktail party and Walk in Pairs which heralds the start of the Super Congress

Until next time, safe traveling and happy bridging

	the tide will turn    when you get into a tight place and everything goes against you till it seems as though you could  not hang on a minute longer; never give up for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.......................

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