The RACV Bridge Club Committee is approaching 6 months since the election of a mostly new committee. And it has been a busy time!

Perhaps one of the great challenges has been the temporary suspension of the Wednesday Duplicate sessions by our parent RACV Club (not the RACV Bridge Club). The temporary suspension was designed to reset the culture of that group and resume on a more relaxed and social basis.

For that reason, the Bridge Director made the decision to reduce the number of games from 27 to 24 and include a short coffee and refreshment break during the morning. Most attendees have enjoyed the change of pace and the feedback has been (mostly) positive. We hope that everyone enjoys the new format.

It has also been noted that the RACV Bridge Club per session charge is higher than what is charged in many other bridge clubs. That may be true but we acknowledge that the RACV Club provides significant benefits to the members, including paying for their annual ABF registration fees, no charge for facilities and rooms for bridge (including weekends away at Healesville), discounted CBD car parking, coffee and refreshments at each session, significant administrative support, special discounted arrangements for functions, and of course, the provision of the amazing and highly respected Ben Kingham as Bridge Director. Everybody loves Ben!

The Committee believes that this represents excellent value.

Of course, our Committee Secretary, Penny Connolly is the most energetic person and (amongst many other things) facilitates the regular (post Wednesday afternoon bridge) Negroni Hour at the club. It has grown significantly in popularity and is not to be missed.

Perhaps the most important change in recent times has been the growth in popularity of the RACV Bridge Club. The Monday morning and both Wednesday sessions are very well attended and the membership keeps climbing.

The Committee would like to believe that this is a result of the efforts of many different people, including the RACV Club, volunteers and of course, the RACV Bridge Club members themselves. This is a social club as well as a club for bridge competition and it is evident that all attendees love the interaction, as well as the game itself.

Frankly, the Committee loves to see everyone enjoying themselves and having fun!

Chris Alp

RACV Bridge Club President