After three weather-related postponements and a devastating flood that destroyed equipment and shattered morale, the Nambour Croquet Club has emerged victorious, hosting a successful Croquet and High Tea event that has reinvigorated both the club and its community connections.
The journey to success was far from straightforward. What began as a simple International Women’s Day celebration became a test of the club’s resilience when severe flooding following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025 inundated their Coronation Avenue clubhouse. Nambour recorded 365mm of rain—the highest daily March total since records began 132 years ago—destroying refrigerators, and the club’s entire collection of mallets” was changed to “whitegoods, fixtures and some of the club’s historical records. .
The first cancellation was hard, along with the second, as every time we advertised, we then had to let people know it was postponed,” explains Vice President Anne Patch, who stepped up to organise the event when the club president’s position became vacant during the crisis. “We thought this was never going to encourage people here, after we cancelled twice. It was most dispiriting, but we had to be positive.”
The flooding’s impact extended beyond mere inconvenience. With insurance claims pending and equipment destroyed, the club faced an uncertain future. Members volunteered to mow lawns by hand and mark out the courts when their machinery was damaged. “We couldn’t afford to pay anyone. However, this proved to be a big morale-boost, just to be able to play again,” Anne recalls. The club’s determination was further tested when quotes for a replacement mower reached $19,000, eventually leading them to purchase a second-hand machine.
The crisis also highlighted the club’s struggle for visibility within the broader community – a challenge that becomes apparent when searching online for information about the club and the Nambour flood. “I think the community doesn’t know we exist. They just see the bowls club,” Anne observes, referring to the more prominent neighbouring facility that dominates search results and public awareness.
However, the club’s fortunes began to improve with a Queensland Government Active Women and Girls Program grant. The grant provided funds for a Croquet and High Tea event, which was initially conceived to support and coincide with International Women’s Day.
The High Tea event drew participants from across the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with the club’s welcoming approach clearly resonating with visitors. During the preparation period, the club received an unexpected visit from New Zealand croquet players. “We had a New Zealand contingent turn up. We welcomed them, gave them morning tea, and they were astounded at the devastation we had gone through,” Anne explains. “They told us, ‘Out of all the clubs we visited on the coast, we were the most convivial.'”
The High Tea event itself showcased the club’s commitment to excellence despite adversity. Club Treasurer Ann Hutson’s husband contributed Portuguese tarts, while Ann made sausage rolls heated in a new air fryer purchased with grant funds. “We had to study the instructions and learn how to use it,” Anne laughs. With members contributing treasured tea sets and homemade delicacies, and elegant vintage tea and coffee pots, the modest clubroom was transformed. “We were able to forage through our china cabinets and make it a happy place,” Anne notes.
A highlight of the High Tea event was the attendance of club patroness Muriel Peters, a nonagenarian whose family established the club in 1950. Muriel, a 2022 Volunteering Sunshine Coast Award recipient, has coached virtually every player who has passed through the club’s gates over seven decades. “Muriel was delighted with the event and happily talked the curious through the club album she had put together, fortunately it had escaped the floodwaters,” Anne recalls.
The strategic nature of croquet proves to be a draw for newcomers. “It’s calculating in that,” Anne explains, “you’ve got to think ahead as to where the next ball is coming from.” The club’s approach involves experienced players explaining strategy while playing alongside beginners.
Despite the grant’s focus on women’s participation, the club made a deliberate decision to include male members in the High Tea celebration. “Although the grant was for Women in Sport, we felt we should invite the men along and build up their morale and show them how much we appreciate everything they’ve done,” Anne explains. “The men were the backbone of keeping the lawns going.”
Beyond the High Tea event, the club’s recovery efforts have been comprehensive. The devastated garden has been mainly restored by club member Mim Hartzenburg, with other members contributing cuttings and plants. Grant funds purchased new mallets, gloves, and balls, while monthly Bunnings barbecues now generate ongoing revenue.
Guests at the High Tea event commented on the warm atmosphere and how welcome they felt. “Volunteers had worked hard to present the clubroom as tidily as possible, despite the damage,” Anne notes.
The Nambour Croquet Club’s story illustrates the power of persistence and community spirit. From flood damage to equipment destruction, from leadership changes to repeated postponements, the path to the successful Croquet & High Tea event required both individual determination and collective effort.
The club continues to welcome new members for social games on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 8:45 AM on Coronation Avenue. For a club established in 1950, recent challenges have only reinforced the enduring value of sport as a foundation for community connection and personal growth.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy and timeliness, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the article or the information contained within for any purpose.