A Brief History

In the Late 1990's there were a number of bridge players in Palmerston but they played in other Clubs in Leanyer.
Les and Betty Mill, who were keen players and teachers of bridge, arrived in Palmerston in 1999 from Dundee Beach.
They played bridge at the two then established clubs where they met Helge Pedersen.

Helge suggested that there was need for a bridge club to be formed in Palmerston.
He had tried previously to set one up there but had been unsuccessful.

Both Les and Betty Mill believed that in order to establish a bridge club it was necessary to teach potential local players the game so that they would then become club members and players.
Lessons were started in the Mill's home in Moulden in mid 2001 with about 6 hopeful would-be players.
Teaching for the first bridge class continued into late 2001.
As the learner numbers grew and interest was shown by local players from other clubs it was decided that the time was ripe to establish a bridge club for Palmerston.

Consequently Betty Mill approached the management of the Palmerston Sports & Social Club at the Hub in the city centre for a suitable venue.
They offered a fine room free of charge for Thursday nights as requested.

Although the Palmerston Sports & Social Club has since gone through many changes it has always provided the Club with a room for bridge for which the Club is eternally grateful.

The inaugural meeting was held on 24 January 2002 at the Hub club room.
The Club's first office bearers were elected at this meeting.
They were:

In addition, Dennis Sutton was appointed Master Point Secretary and Margaret Creber, the first delegate to the NTBA.
The founding members, in addition to the above, were Pam Arkinstall, Fred Boyes, Ray Fry, Felicity Middleton, George Turner and Margaret Trouten.

The Palmerston Bridge Club members continue to play on Thursday evenings at the Hub.

The Club was subsequently incorporated, became a member of the Australian Bridge Federation and at the present time has 25 home club members.