Life Memberships were first awarded by the Western Australian Croquet Association in 1962. Prior to this, a Patronage of Association was presented to those who had made a significant contribution to the sport in WA.
Lily McBride, Jessie Chandler and Nell Bishop were all presented with Life Membership in 1962.
Lily McBride
Lily McBride was a longtime servant of the Victoria Park Croquet Club. As a player, she achieved success on the lawns across a range of events including; a member of the successful B Grade Pennant team in 1933, Club Champion in 1936, Club Handicap Singles winner in 1935, and Major Handicap Singles winner at the Northam Croquet Carnival in 1945. Lily was also very busy off the court and held numerous committee positions including Club Secretary(1931) and Treasurer (1935).
Winners of the B Grade Shield 1933 – Victoria Park
(Left -Right) Mrs L McBride, Mrs Canute, Mrs Watts, Mrs Pederson, Mrs L McLean
Due to ill health, Lily retired from competitive play but maintained an active interest in Association administration. She was acting Deputy Treasurer for six years before serving as Treasure from 1951-1963.
“Mrs McBride has always taken a keen interest in the junior player and, as Chairman of the Junior Referee’s School, she has done sterling work, many players having passed into the Referee Discussion group after sitting for their first State Referee Badge.”
Lily was one of the first four WA players to become an accredited Australian Referee.
The trophy she donated to the association is probably the best one to admire. It was donated in 1956 and was known initially as the Champion of Champions played for by Metro club champions and initially by some country club champions. The country players were considered inferior right up until the early 1960’s. In 1961 its name was changed to that of the donor but due to the death of Ida Thorpe was not played for until the following year. It continues today.
Lily McBride passed away on 15 September 1979 aged 92.
Jessie Chandler
Mrs Chandller was a member of the Mt Lawley club for 5 years before joining Nedlands. Jessie had considerable success on the courts, being a member of her clubs A1 Pennant winning team in the 1944-45 Season and along with M Jenkins, winning the State Open Doubles in 1945 and 1947.
Jessie held a number of committee positions at Nedlands including a term as President from 1947-1954 and was awarded Honorary Life Membership in 1957. She was a Vice President of the Association for a number of years as well as a member of the Laws Committee.
“She has always shown a very keen interest in referee work and was chairman of the group for about six years. Associated with Mrs Cruttenden, at the very beginning of the Referee School, a good foundation was laid and the School has functioned ever since. Many hours have been spent watching games, and we hope Mrs Chandler will have many more years of good health in which to maintain her interest in croquet.” (Gazette)
Since I published the above, a clearer picture of Chandler’s playing career has emerged. Apart from winning the A Minor Doubles in 1941 with Morris, Jessie went on the establish herself as one of our most successful ever pennant players. Records show that she was a member of the Nedlands A Grade winning pennant team on 8 occasions: 1945-47, 1953, 1954-58. She was also runner up in 1959 and it is highly likely she was a member of the 1952 winning team as well.
Nellie Bishop
Nell was an active member of the Subiaco Croquet Club serving in a number of roles including three stints as President; 1938-41, 1948-49 and 1952-58. She was awarded Honorary Life Membership in 1957.
Nell won her Club Championship numerous times – 1932-34, 1938-40, 1942-43, 1958.
She also achieved success at the state level, wining the 1939 Handicap Singles and the State Open Doubles in 1941 (A MacDonald), and then going back to back in 1951-52 (E Blampey). In 1934, she was runner up in the A Grade Minor Doubles (Green) but won the A Grade Handicap Doubles (Braddock)
Perhaps the highlight of her playing career though was winning the State Open Singles Title in 1951.
From 1941 to 1947, Nell was Secretary of the Croquet Association and went on to serve as President from 1955 to 1956.
