Dear Members

MyABF

The transition to MyABF has gone smoothly with almost all members having registered with MyABF and set up an account.

This has eliminated the need for cash and vouchers. It makes the Treasurer's role less time consuming.

Many thanks to John Hetherington, Rhonni Garven, Angela Pellegrino, Phil Andersen and Marg Barrett for all the preliminary work that was required in setting up of the program.

Bridgemates

The new Bridgemates have arrived. Consensus is that they are easy to use and the members are very happy with them. Please take care when using them as they are quite expensive. You only need to press lightly on the screen to record names, contracts and results.

Teams Event

The first Teams' Event for the year was held last Friday. It was very well attended and enjoyed by all.  We are very grateful to John Hetherington and Wayne Courtney for all the preparations necessary and directing on the day. We can't thank them enough and we are very lucky to have them as members in our club. The other people to thank include Margaret Martin, Judy Sheehan, Sonja Van Hoof, Janet Willis and Rhoda Pooley who all volunteered to give their time as a reserve for the day. Thank you to the Committee and those members who brought dishes for the lunch and the people who helped in the kitchen and cleaned up afterwards. Another enjoyable day at our club.

Thank you members

We are very lucky to have members who help out at the club. Last week Judy Hory took home the tablecloths for a wash and Ivan Boulton installed a power point for the new Bridgemates. We appreciate the voluntary efforts by members and the Committee who help keep the club running smoothly.

AFL Parking Reminder  

This Saturday, 23rd May, AFL will be playing at their grounds. We are allowed to play bridge BUT we are not allowed to use the Car Park at all. (Even if there are empty spaces please do not park there). We are still on a trial with the AFL, and we don't want to jeopardise losing the Saturday session on AFL days. There is parking available in Reid St, top of Kendalls Beach and streets around the clubhouse. 

Australia-Wide Novice Pairs

This event will be held at the club on Wednesday 27th May 2026. It allows newer players to compete against other players nationally. It is open to anyone with fewer than 100 masterpoints (as at the end of March 2026). Every player receives a booklet with analysis and recommended bidding/play for the hands that were played on the day. There is a flyer on the noticeboard with more details.

Hi/Lo

The next Hi/Lo will be held on Tuesday 16th June. There will be lists on the noticeboard on which to put your names. We encourage all our newer players to come along and play with a more experienced player and have an enjoyable day. Especially the drinks and nibbles after the session has finished. It will start at 1pm but please arrive earlier to meet your partner for the day. The draw will be available on the website the week before play.

Playing Systems

If you and your partner have a different system to most of the other players in the club, you should alert the bid and let your opponents know what the bids actually mean if they ask about the alert. To newer players, if you are unsure about the bidding at the table you can ask when it is your turn, what the bid means. All artificial bids must be alerted A lot of experienced players are not alerting theses bids.

Keep enjoying your bridge and be kind to your partner!!

Warm regards

Ann Blue

Dear Members

My ABF

A very detailed email has been sent out to all members informing them of the club's transition to MyABF. There is also a copy on the Club's website. If you know of anyone who has not received an email or does not have access to a computer, please let a committee member know and we will assist them. There will be a copy on the noticeboard in the club as well.

Membership

We currently have 238 members. There is a small number of people who have not renewed their membership. Please do so as soon as possible to assist the Treasurer and Masterpoints' Secretary.

Hi/Lo 

The next Hi/Lo event is on Thursday 2nd April starting at 1pm. There will be a list on the noticeboard soon. We encourage all the newer players to come and be partnered with a more experienced player on the day. It is always a very enjoyable day for everyone. Drinks and nibbles will be provided after the session.

Mentoring Program

The recent mentoring program was a great success with near to 16 tables each Friday during February. A big thank you to all the Mentors for making it possible for the mentees to play and learn along the way. I have received positive feedback from all who participated. Thank you to Wayne for directing at each session. We encourage the newer players to come along to any session now to further their bridge playing skills.

Wayne's Lessons

Wayne's lessons have been well attended. We appreciate the time and effort Wayne has put into the lessons. The club is lucky to have classes where our newer players can learn more about bridge conventions and card play. Thank you, Wayne.

Joan Butts Workshops

Unfortunately, we have had to postpone the workshops due to the car park and surrounding streets being taken up by the Beach Oz Tag Competition held at Kendalls Beach. The workshops will go ahead as soon as we have a Saturday free from AFL matches and Joan is available.

Warm regards, Ann Blue

Dear Members

Membership is due. If you have not renewed please do so as soon as possible. 
Payment can be made online or at the club. 

Quiche Night

Next Wednesday 4th February is Quiche Night.

Please put your name on the list if you are able to attend this very enjoyable evening.

Mentoring Program

The names of the pairings are on the noticeboard in the club.

Thank you to all the Mentors who volunteered to make this program happen.

Please be at the club on Friday 6th February from 9am to meet & greet your partner.

After the session Graham Bradley has kindly offered to show on the TV screen, Marty Bergen's  'Hand Evaluation '. It's suggested to bring some lunch if you are interested to stay for this very valuable insight into bridge hands. Thank you Graham.

Joan Butts Workshops 

Joan Butts will be presenting 2 workshops on Saturday 7th March.

The morning session from 10am to 12 noon will be on Declarer Play.

The afternoon session from 1pm to 3pm will be on 2/1 game forcing.

Cost is $25 per workshop.

If you wish to attend both workshops it's advisable to bring your own lunch.

Morning & Afternoon tea will be provided.

A flyer will be on the noticeboard soon with an attendance sheet.

A big thank you to Angela & Rhonni who have done an amazing job cleaning the kitchen & cupboards. 
Thank you to Chris Huddle for washing all the table coverings & to Carol Marriott for washing the shawls.

We are very lucky to have these members who generously give their time to the club.

Library

The library is proving very popular with members. There are a number of new books and a generous donation from Judy Sheehan (with books donated by former member, Allan Watkins).

Happy bridging

Ann Blue

Dear Members

Christmas Decorations

The Christmas decorations in the club looks amazing this year thanks to the very talented Carol Marriott and her band of helpers, including Johanna, Margot, Patrick on the ladder, and many others on the day who helped cut and glued bows and assisted Carol. Thank you all. An incredible effort.

Membership

Payment of membership will be due in January and not before. Cost is $50 for home members and $20 for alternate members. Please don't pay before January.

Mentoring

We will be running a mentoring course next February. It will run for 4 weeks on a Friday morning.

There will be a list on the board in January for those who wish to be mentored by a more experienced player. We ran this a few years back and it was very popular with the newer players. If you are available to be a mentor for 4 weeks, please let me know.

Joan Butts Workshops

It's been a while since Joan has been at our club but I'm pleased to say she will join us in 2026.

Joan will be presenting 2 workshops on Saturday 28 February 2026.

The morning session will be Card Play, suitable for beginners and Improvers.

The afternoon session will be 2/1 convention, open to all who may be interested. 

More details next year.

Spares for Wednesday and Thursday 2026

Please let Christopher Dawes know if you are able to be a spare on a Wednesday and let Helen Stirling know if you are able to be spare on a Thursday.

Inter club

Next year Kiama Bridge Club will be hosting an interclub bridge day. The clubs who participate include Illawarra, Berry, Nowra, Mollymook and Southern Highlands. More details next year and the date to be confirmed.

Online Supervised sessions for beginners

Bridge NSW has been running online supervised bridge sessions for beginners. No partner required.

There is more information on the NSW website.

RealBridge links are on the Play Online webpage. If you need help with RealBridge, contact

onlinesupervised @bridgensw.com,au

Christmas Party

There is an invitation for all members to the Christmas Party on the website.

Click on HERE on the website for more information about the night.

 The Committee wishes all our members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Bridge will finish on Thursday 18th December 2025 and resume on Friday 2nd January 2026.

See you at the Christmas Party.

Warm regards

Ann Blue