Reaching 130 years since its inception, Lilydale Croquet Club’s members, past players and presidents, family, friends and members of various clubs from the region gathered on Saturday 19 October to celebrate the remarkable milestone birthday.
Lilydale was the second club to form in Victoria, behind Kyneton, in 1894 and has held the grounds at Melba Park since that time.
The Lilydale Express newspaper reported that the official opening was held on 10 October 1894.
Celebrating the history and the trajectory of the club over the years, past president Peter Norman was inducted as a life member of the club, in recognition of all he did to ensure croquet would continue in Lilydale.
“Peter Norman was president of the club at one stage and he did a lot for the club. He was the first male member of the club,” outgoing president John Thomson told Star Mail in September.
“Up until then, Lilydale Croquet Club was all ladies. He proceeded to get other husbands of wives to come along and join in as well.”
Mr Norman was integral to refurbishing the circa 1925 storage shed, lobbying the council for the works to be done in 1989.
Continuing tradition, president Mick Crawley was given the honour of running the first hoop with the historic mallet, officially opening the day.
The item is major significance to the club and is the 1900 club competition prize mallet which was presented to Mrs Milne by Mrs Kay.
For those interested in giving croquet a go, the club will be hosting a come and try day as part of the 130th celebrations on Sunday 27 October between 10am and 2pm.
“So if somebody wants to come and try, they can, the coaches and members will be here to take them through the basics of croquet,” Mr Thomson said.
