Politics and Croquet do mix at least in Western Australia.
The first organised croquet in WA before any associations or even clubs was often run by Lady Forrest, the wife of Sir John Forrest the 1st Premier of WA. Sir John is often referred to as Lord Forrest but he never actually became a Lord, he was bound for Englamd to become a Lord when he died, whilst on route, somewhere of the coast of West Africa.
The foundation President of the Western Australian Croquet Association was Mrs Mary Rason, she was the wife of the 7th Premier of WA, Sir Cornthwaite Hector William James Rason. Hector as he preferred was only briefly the Premier and saw the writing on the wall for his tenure early enough to appoint himself Agent General for WA in England, thereby ensuring his future job security.
Mary was replaced in the Presidents role by Edith Daglish. She was the wife of the 6th Premier of WA, Henry Daglish. The suburb of Daglish near Subiaco is named for them.
The 27th Premier of WA was Geoff Gallop, his mother Eunice was a member of the Geraldton club in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
The 21st Premier Sir Charles Court and his son the 26th Premier Richard Court were both Patrons of the Nedlands croquet club at different times. Many other politicians and local government identities have filled roles like this at clubs, some have been players.
But the most politically entangled family has been the Hawkes. Edith Emily “Ellie” Hawke was the President at the Northam club and later at the Leederville club and also the President of the WA Croquet Association. She was the mother of the Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke. But it doesn’t stop there, her husband Clem was for a time the General Secretary of the Australian Labour Party and a Congregationalist Minister, her brother in law Bert was a long time member for Northam and the 18th Premier of WA who also for a time was the patron of the Northam croquet club.
Opening Day – Subiaco Croquet Club – Click here for a detailed description of this image
