BURLEIGH HEADS - PALM BEACH CLUB HISTORY

The club was born in Burleigh Heads in 1949 and for 26 years, was located on land leased from the Gold Coast City Council, close to the beach. (There is an old photograph in the clubhouse showing its original location). In 1975 the council decided the land could be put to more profitable use and the club was re-located, at the council’s expense, to its present site on the edge of the Mallawa Drive sporting complex in Palm Beach. This is when the club was endowed with its now double barrelled name.

The newly re-located club had enough land for a small club house, constructed with material salvaged from the old building, and two full sized lawns and this is how the club was for the next 15 years. A generous donation from Betty Haupt enabled the club to add another room in 1990 and the Council provided a much needed new roof in 1992; but by 1995 membership had risen and the club’s involvement in the Gold Coast Region’s annual tournament had increased to the point where the decision was made to apply to the Council to move the clubhouse into a corner and to lease extra land for a full size third court – and even to relocate a prolific Bowen mango tree to a point outside the perimeter!

Approval was given and the plans were drawn up but investigations by various experts determined that the club building was too old to survive another move.  And so it was that with a substantial grant from the Council and enormous help from Palm Beach Rotary Club and Group Training Australia – and many weeks of hard labour from willing members – the present club house was built. The design was tailored to utilise as much re-cycled material from the original building as possible and the roof, doors and many of the windows were all incorporated.  Many individual club members were involved the success of this very ambitious programme.

In September 1996 a large gathering of past and current members, Rotarians and representatives from CAQ were present at the official opening by the club’s then patron Councillor Daphne McDonald.  Since then there have been several improvements and additions. A pergola built with a grant from the Council, a new boundary fence to replace the attractive but aging picket fence, the installation of a 25,000 litre rainwater tank, a veranda, solar panels and two shade shelters at the eastern boundary. All achieved with grants from various Queensland sources. In around 2010 our logo was introduced together with new club shirts and jackets.

Whereas the club for many years only played Association Croquet, in recent times Ricochet was added and then Golf Croquet, and this is the code that has grown most in popularity.

Over the years membership has fluctuated above and below 40 members. We are involved with the annual regional tournament and hold our own special tournaments and gala days. Our social calendar includes lunches, BBQs and other events for members and friends. The club is an active participation in all the Gold Coast Tweed Region interclub (Pennants) competitions and has been a winner several times in all codes.

The club looks to provide an environment for both keen players and social players and we all happily mix on club days. Croquet in all its forms is a fun game.                                                                       

 (Feb 2017)