The following post is generated primarily from information provided by Martin Clarke. If you have any other information you feel should be included, please let me know.
Sheila achieved many firsts for WA in her playing career and was awarded Life Membership in 1993 in recognition for her contributions to the sport.
In 1980, V Clark was the first lady to receive The Sheila McDonald Award as the Best Lady Player in that season. In 1993 this award changed slightly and was presented to B. Wilson, the Most Improve Lady in Association Croquet.
You can find a complete list of all the Sheila McDonald Award winners here. A veritable who’s who of women in WA croquet.
Although she was a member of a number of city and country clubs, her primary home club was Beverley where she held the positions of President and Secretary. She was also the club champion on 8 occasions.
She did venture away from home and was 3 times country champion (1962, 1969, 1970) and 3 times runner-up. She did not compete in these two events after this, claiming other players should have a chance to take these titles.
National Representation
Played for Australia in 1969 Mac Robertson Shield. The first Western Australian to do so.
State Team Representation
Sheila represented the State Team on 18 occasions – 9 as Captain. Unfortunately, the team did not win the Interstate during her time; however, they were runners-up in 1965 and 1975.
National Titles
English Silver Medal 1968 (now known as the Australian Gold Medal)
Australian Open Doubles
- 1967 with Jess Muir of Northam
- 1969 with George Maslen of Nedlands
- These were the first Two WA winners of this event and it would be another 25 years before another WA win.
- 1969 Australian Open Singles, The first WA winner and one of only three winners from WA to this day.
- 1970 (inaugural), 1972, 1983 Australian Ladies Singles.
- 1960 Awarded the AB Morrison trophy for best new player.
State Titles
11 times State singles champion! This event is now known as the WA Open. She holds the record for the most number of wins starting in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1976.
9 times ACC Gold Medal, now known as the ACA Bronze Medal – 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1978..
4 times State Doubles Champion,
- 1968 with Jess Muir of Northam,
- 1971 with Dick Devenish of Nedlands,
- 1976 and 1978 with Verna Clarke of Northam.
7 times Ida Thorpe trophy winner, the most ever. This event is open to all players but in her time was restricted to the top two divisions of players only. 1965, 1968, 1969, 1972, 1976, 1978, 1979.
From 1972 to 1990 Sheila donated a prize for the best performed new player in the event.
Other Feats
Sheila was the first Western Australian woman to perform the triple peel in competition during the 1978 season.
She was a foundation member of the WA Croquet coaching committee.
The Western Australian Sporting Federation recognised her as a “Sporting Great” in 1980.
Sheila passed away on 16 November 1993 aged 83.
