November 2017

Newsletter

2017 Noosa Bridge Club Inc.

From the President

Where has this year gone? If you are like me it only seems a couple of months since we had our first game of Bridge for 2017. Now our Diary for 2018 is nearly complete and ready to go to the printer. I think the reason the year seems to rush by is that we are all so busy. Many of our members have been on holiday – both overseas and wonderful trips to far-flung destinations in Australia. We have also enjoyed the company of many visitors from the southern states, Victoria and Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia. On Friday 3 November we will have our last Charity Day for the year. The beneficiaries will be Sunshine Butterflies so we will commence selling raffle tickets for this and there are some new and interesting prizes on offer. I hope all of you enjoy the remaining Events on offer for Bridge games for the rest of the year and please note that the sign-up sheet will soon be available for you to register for the Christmas Lunch. As usual – Happy Bridging!

Jane Dalziell

Officer Bearers:

President – Jane Dalziell

Vice President – Geoff Hart

Secretary – Ross Gyde

Treasurer – Gerald Schaaf

Committee:

Pam Hawkins Ann Mellings

Adam Hertelendy Don Robertson

Helen Lawson Syl Thiebaud

Muriel Loveday Rhona Vickers

New members

Di Blount, Rosanne Chisholm, Gail Gardner; Peter Franzmann; Jim Harpley, Niki & Paul Matthews,

Leisha McMenamin, Helen Ringrose, Tom Stephenson

Past members Sam Murray

Around the Club

Happy

Retirement

Joyce Parker

Charity Day - 7 August Once again we thank our generous members for their support in raising $1,500 for Australia’s leading food rescue organisation OzHarvest. Sunshine Coast Chapter Coordinator, Michelle Lipner said “Please extend my utmost thanks to the Club members for their incredible generosity. This will mean so much to our program.”

Yvonne Millman Peta McKay

Joan Butts Bridge On 12 & 13 October we were delighted to have Joan present “An Introduction to Two Over One”. About 35 members benefitted from Joan’s extensive expertise and thoroughly enjoyed her professional presentation.

2017 Noosa Bridge Club Inc.

13th September 2017

The celebrations began with 36 tables for Director Adam Hertelendy to organise and direct. This is a huge number of players for the room’s play and all sailed smoothly.

After play, the verandah became the place to select from a variety of wines/champagne before joining a table for lunch. There were 150 members and guests attending lunch celebrations.

The President, Jane Dalziel welcomed Heather Mott and Ellie Nimmo, players who began play in 1976/77 with the early history of the Club and the very beginnings with Luc Turschwell at Belmondo’s in Hastings Street. Their partnership has been enjoyed since then and they still partner each other even now. They achieved several championships together and have a wonderful legacy to share.

A delicious lunch was served and all loved the meatballs, finger sandwiches and quiches.

The President and attending past Presidents stood with the cake and it was amazing to see the span of history and the achievements all had watched over in their times serving the Club and its members.

The "cream strawberry delight“ cake was very popular and disappeared very quickly.

The room was full of fellowship and goodwill. There was laughter and friendship to be shared from 1977 until now.

Helen Lawson

The Club thanks Helen Lawson for her tireless work on a very informative presentation of the Club’s history. This was beautifully displayed on the notice aboard and is now available on our website.

2017 Noosa Bridge Club Inc.

Member Achievements 30 July - Maryborough Swiss Teams 2

nd A – Pam Hawkins/Tessa Townend/Hilary French/Di

Quigley 2

nd B – Adam Hertelendy/John Stacey/Don & Margaret

Robertson

6 August - Sunshine Coast Swiss Teams 2

nd A – David Harris/Tm Ridley/Lorraine Vachon/Ross Gyde

3rd

A – Maureen Jakes/Alison Dawson ++ 1

st B – Ed & Jan Beckett/Roz Thomas/Sandy Long

2nd

B – Don & Margaret Robertson ++ 3

rd B – Kiyomi Avunduk +++

11 August – Cassowary Coast Walk in Pairs 1

st – Adam Hertelendy +

13 August – Cassowary Coast Swiss Pairs 1

st – Adam Hertelendy +

19 August – Interclub Teams Winner - Coolum 2

nd A – Tim Ridley/David Harris/Rosie Green/Di Stagg

1st

B – Don & Margaret Robertson/Susan & Ray Powley 3

rd B – Graham Hugh/Geraldine Howard/Michelle

Behrens/Gail Smith

27 August 2017 – Noose Novice Pairs 2

nd A – Moira Gibbens/Bobby MacNee

2nd

B – Peter Klairie/Anna Jadach 3

rd B – Sue Bosch/Leonie Shanahan

2 &3 September - Sunshine Coast Zone GNOT Final 1

st A – Dick Trollope/Ann Mellings/Maureen Jakes +

2nd

A – Rosie Green/Sam Halvorsen/David Harris/Tim Ridley

6 September – Coolum Invitation Day 1

st – Ines Dawes +

2nd

– Gerald Schaaf/Don Robertson 3

rd – Hilary French/Janelle Kipping

4th

- Di Musgrave/Maureen Wright

10 September – Noosa Spring Teams

3

rd A – Tim Ridley/Rosie

Green/Lorraine Vachon/ Ross Gyde

1st

B – Merrelyn Daly/Ed & & Jan Beckett/Gayna

Ryan

2

nd B – Maureen Wright/

David Delgado/Bobby MacNee /Di Musgrave

16 September – Kenmore Bridge Club NWP 1

st – Tessa Townend +

17 September - SSCBC Graded Pairs 2

nd A – Alison Dawson +

4th

A – Ann Mellings/Maureen Jakes 4

th B – Adam Hertelendy/Kiyomi Avunduk

3rd

C – Florence Grubanovich/Stephen Ronay

30 September – Toowoomba Queens Birthday pairs 2

nd A – Alison Dawson+

4th

A – Ines Dawes+ 1

st B – Don & Margaret Robertson

1&2 October – Toowoomba Queens Birthday Teams 3

rd A – Alison Dawson+++

3rd

C – Don & Margaret Robertson++

8 October – Gympie SwissTeams 1

st A – Rosie Green/Ken Dawson/David Harris/Tim Ridley

3rd

A – Jeanette Roughley/Peter Coppin/Susan Schierning+ 2

nd B – Di Musgrave/David Delgado++

3rd

B – Shirley Bishop/Lee Lewis++

14 & 15 October – Brisbane Zone GNOT Final 3

rd – Alison Dawson+++

16 October – Paul Marston 1

st – Janelle Kipping/Carole McDonald

16 & 23 October - Spring Pairs Open N/S – Rosie Green/Tim Ridley Open E/W – Barry Midgley/Russell Greenwood Novice N/S – Lynne Pienaar/John Williams Novice E/W – Sue Bosch/Ed Bosch

2017 Noosa Bridge Club Inc.

Low Level Checkback

Bids (2) (references to point counts assume partnership is playing 15-17 1NT)

Previous article An earlier edition of this Newsletter contained an article reporting on a lesson by Simon Andrew on checkback bids after the auction starts 1m : 1M : 1NT. When the auction starts this way, opener's hand may have 12, 13 or 14 hcp, and often fewer than 3 cards in the bid M. (See footnote.) If Responder in the auction shown above has game interest with 11-12hcp (or even slam interest with great values) it is critical that Responder can find out more precisely Opener's point count and shape. This is the role of Checkback Bids, employed by Responder. Many players already use an invitational checkback bid system known as TOM (The Other Minor). The methods described in the previous article added a second checkback bid, so that 2C checkback is invitational and 2D checkback is game forcing.

Checkback after the auction 1m : 1M : 2M Here again, Opener's hand is limited to 12-14 hcp, and he/she may have 3 or 4 cards of the agreed M suit.

And again, Responder with either interest in game (11-12 hcp), or clear game values will be keen to gain more information about Opener's distribution and strength. After this sequence, the checkback bid by Responder is 2NT.

Response method 1 In a recent newspaper column on this subject, Ron Klinger advocated that...”with four trumps opener rebids in the major (3-level minimum, 4-level maximum). With only 3-card support, opener makes any natural bid other than repeating responder's major suit.” This method, advocated by Simon Andrew also, conveys more information on the shape of opener's hand.

Response method 2 Some players use a different system of responses to the 2NT checkback; they reply in value/length steps.

A common pattern of step responses (to 2NT) is remembered as min:min:max:max.

1st step, 3C=min hcp and only 3 trumps 2nd step, 3D=min hcp but 4 trumps 3rd step, 3H= max hcp but only 3 trumps 4th step, 3S= max hcp and 4 (max) trumps With H trumps the 3S step may be replaced by jump to 4H.

Trial bids – a similar function While on this subject, trial bids form a similar function, in testing values and fit where trumps have been agreed and game looks possible.

After the auction starts 1M:2M, Opener with an interest in game needs a way to seek Responder's input to that decision. I often see Openers in this situation simply bidding 3M as an invitation. But this is a very blunt instrument. The simplest effective form of trial bid is called a “help-suit trial”. Opener's bid of 3 of a suit below the trump suit carries the message “bid game if you can help me in this suit, or have max values”.

Using this form of “help-suit trail” frees up the immediate 3M bid for another use... perhaps long pre-emptive move, or help-suit trial in trumps (by agreement).

Footnote When an auction starts 1m : 1H, opener holding a balanced 12-14 hcp hand with 3*Hs and fewer than 4*S can choose to bid either 1NT or 2H. Similarly with the auction 1m : 1S, the balanced opener holding 3*S can choose to bid either 1NT or 2S.

If the opener holds values in all suits and balanced shape, the 1NT response is likely to be appropriate. But if the opener has shortage in one suit, the hand is likely to play better in a suit contract, and hence the immediate raise of responder's M is more appropriate. Geoff Hart

2017 Noosa Bridge Club Inc.

Members Profile

Aileen Doyle

Aileen was born in Bundaberg in 1926 and at the age of 5 her family moved to Toowoomba. After her schooling at St Saviour’s Convent, Aileen joined the Public Service and worked in the Dept. of Labour and Industry, where she was a Secretary for 10 years. Aileen met her future husband Keith, who lived nearby, as their paths crossed when they were each on their way to work. They were married in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1951. Stipulations of the Public Service regarding employment of married women forced Aileen into a new role. She joined Downlands College as the Headmaster’s Secretary and her career here spanned 37 years, providing the continuity for the harmonious changeover for each new Headmaster in progression, as this role could only be held for a maximum of 6 years by each school Head. At her retirement, the school farewelled her with a notable school function and she is now the proud owner of a legacy which lives on, with prizes being awarded at the yearly School Speech Night for "Speech, Dress, Deportment and Courtesy". Aileen is held in such high esteem by the school, that now at each year’s birthday celebration, secretaries from the school visit her to help celebrate and show honour for her loyal and much respected service to the school. Aileen and her husband Keith had owned a holiday unit in Sunshine Beach near the beach and the S.L.S.C. since 1984, spending many happy times here. Aileen began playing Bridge in January 1992 in the James Street building, while she and Keith had a 6 month stay in the unit. Lessons were given by Kathy Reid and Neryl Babbage. Keith died in 1998, and a permanent move to this Noosa unit was made in 1999.

On this return, the building had been moved to its current site and Aileen enjoyed Bridge days with Mary Hillhouse, Lorna Sherwood, and with her long term partner, Di Whitton. Aileen had a daughter first and then 2 sons. Sadly, there was the death of a daughter-in-law in 2010 and a son the following year. Aileen states that her friends and Bridge mates were a mainstay during these times. There are now 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren with strong family bonds of love and respect for this beautiful and gracious lady we are fortunate to share our Bridge days with.

Helen Lawson

Coming Events 3 November – Charity Day – Sunshine Butterflies 4 & 5 November - Hervey Bay Teams 6 & 13 November – John Fell Red Point 18 & 19 November - Noosa Pairs 24-27 November – GNOT Final 3 December – Zone Graded Pairs – Coolum 8 December – Christmas Party

Christmas Party Friday 8 December

8.45am for 9.00am – Morning Bridge 12 noon – Champagne Lunch

After lunch morning players leave 1.15pm for 1.30pm – Afternoon Bridge

Please register your attendance in the

sign-up folder.

2017 Noosa Bridge Club Inc.

Guinness Record

Let me introduce you to someone who was a special friend of mine for over 30 years – Marion Rice. She died in November 2016 at the age of 107. But her name will now live forever because of what has happened posthumously. Marion was born in 1909 in the UK. She migrated to Australia at the age of 19 to join a brother already in the country. She subsequently married and moved to a property near Bourke in outback NSW. She was widowed in 1949 and left to raise two daughters and manage the property. She did.

In later years she took up bridge – and never looked back. Eventually she alternated her life between Sydney and the Gold Coast. When I met Marion in 1986 bridge was “her life”. Mine too – so we were compatible.

I was with her on the Gold Coast when she bought her first motorized scooter – when she was about 87 years young. She took it back to Sydney where her home was on the 42nd floor of a CBD hi-rise. From there she zipped to and from the bridge club in Elizabeth Street and out to Bondi Junction by train for her bridge games. She returned to the Gold Coast many times to play in the Gold Coast Congress, most notably in 2010 when she played “free” because she was 100 (the only person with this distinction). This is when she was featured by NEURA – as a prime example of their “Bridge for Brain Research” cases.

My most poignant memory of our games together is her insistence on bidding the negative double. No matter if I had no points, I must “double” if I had the other major. Sometimes it worked!

My last game with Marion was in December 2015 in Sydney. We met at her apartment and I had to run alongside her “scooting” to the club where she had been a member for many years. About six months later she moved to Brisbane to be near her one surviving daughter. This is where she died at the age of 107 on November 22nd 2016. I lost a special friend and the bridge world lost a star.

And now, with that background, we move on to what has happened posthumously. That Sydney club, now known as the Sydney Bridge Centre, subsequently

applied to Guinness World Records to have Marion’s name recorded as the oldest active bridge player in the world. This distinction has been granted and I was privileged to be part of the award ceremony at the Sydney Bridge Centre on 7 August 2017 when her daughter, Joan Bossley, was presented with the commemorative certificate during a special morning tea.

What a “coup” for the bridge world!

I now have several friends who hope to overtake this new Guinness record. Good luck to all.

Gerald Schaaf

Did You Know

… That during Paul Marston’s recent “Noosa Bridge Week” Graham Hugh gave his expertise and time to deal 1496 boards for use during Paul’s sessions.

The Club wishes to expressly thank Graham for this mammoth task, the time involved which was so freely given. This highlights the fact that the boards just do not appear magically for use at the Bridge table, as volunteer dedication is behind the preparation of all boards ready for play.

In Memoriam

Peggy Hillhouse

John Lewis

Wendy Ruttan

Kay Taylor