Last week saw a large crowd of merry members celebrate another successful year with an awards ceremony, a beautiful Christmas feast next door and a jovial game of bridge afterwards. Sue Eishauer began proceedings by announcing the committee's decision to rename several annual awards. Congratulations to the winners:

Our end-of year awards presentation and Christmas party will be held next Tuesday 16 December 2025. Members and guests are asked to arrive at our club room at 11am for the presentations. A jolly lunch will follow in the neighbouring room at approximately 11:45am. All food and drinks are provided. A merry game of bridge is expected to kick off at about 1pm in our normal room. We regret that, due to space limitations, not all party-goers will be able to play.

The race that stops the nation stopped a bridge game this week for champers, delicious food and a glamorous fashion parade. Thanks to all who contributed, you made the day lots of fun.

Following a recent trial, Bridge NSW is hosting free online supervised sessions for beginners at 4pm-5:30pm each Sunday from 2 November to 7 December 2025. These supervised sessions are designed to help beginners transition to club games, and are suitable for:

Congratulations to our graduates of the recent beginners' lessons: Jenny Cohen, Helen Cosgrove, Lynda De Gruchy, Matt Etherington, Eloise Hakin, Kirilee Hopper, Joanne Johnson, Peter Scott. Anne Taylor and Steve Taylor. 

We wish them luck (and points and successful finesses!) on their paths to bridge greatness.

Thanks goes again to dedicated teacher, Sue Eishauer and her team of helpers who continue to give their time and expertise in support of our wonderful club.  

As we welcome new players to our wonderful club, this might be a good time to explain the ABF Masterpoints (MPs) and ranking system. In a nutshell, a player who does well in an ABF sanctioned event may earn green, red or gold points (or part thereof) depending on the type of event and the number of participants.

Green MPs are generally awarded in normal club sessions, while red MPs are awarded in special club, congress and state events, and gold MPs in national events (& club GNOT heats).

Last week, 32 members and friends of Taree Bridge Club celebrated with Terry Bodycote on reaching the lofty heights of Silver Grand Master. Surpassing 2500 Master Points is an outstanding achievement which, as Terry himself admitted, takes a lot of hours and resources (editor's note: not to mention a good deal of skill). Well done, Terry!

Happy New Year and welcome 2026! We are looking forward to another year of enjoyment, learning, interaction and play - everything that is bridge. 

Games resume 6 January. This year we offer 3 sessions per week: Tuesday and Saturday Duplicate (12:15 for 12:30pm start) as well as Thursday Duplicate/ supervised play (8:45 for 9am start). And a lot of special events are included - check out your book or this website and enter.

Know others who might get hooked on bridge? 

Last week our club rounded off a hectic year with a delicious lunch, followed by Christmas cake and bubbly back at our new abode (and a merry game of bridge thereafter). We congratulate our award winners for 2024: Julia Collins for Most Improved Player under 100MPs, and Bronwyn Boehm for the Neville Farrell Trophy.