Newsletter 30April 2026
In our newsletter this week...
- President's Message
- ANC is coming to Canberra!
- Workshop with Will Jenner-O'Shea
- New Players
- Youth News
- Upcoming Events
- SCONGRESS
- Results
- Online Lesson with Will
- Name Badge Order
- Lighter Moments
President's Message
Australian Women’s Playoff – Follow-up
Following last week’s announcement, I would also like to acknowledge Karen Creet, who was Judith Tobin’s partner in the Australian Women’s Playoff. Karen and Judith are both highly accomplished players and have represented the ACT many times in Women’s Teams. Karen is also a former President of the CBC. We congratulate them both on their outstanding result and wish them every success in representing Australia.
- Mary
ANC is coming to Canberra!
The Australian National Bridge Championship is scheduled to run from 4th of July to 16th July, don’t miss the chance to play in one of the biggest national events happening right here in our city!
The championships feature a wide range of events designed to be inclusive of all skill levels, from those just starting out to elite players.
- Diverse Categories: Competitive events are organized by masterpoint categories, including sections for Rookies, Novice (typically <100 points), Restricted (<300 points), and Open divisions.
- Prizes for All: While Open events are for everyone, they often include specific prizes for restricted players, rewarding strong performances within that skill bracket even in a high-level field.
- Flexible Scheduling: You can choose from one-day matches or multi-day tournaments depending on your availability.
- Local Support: Pick up a flier at the club or speak to Elizabeth for help selecting the right event for your ranking.
- Click here to Register - 4th to 16th July 2026
The early bird discount ends on 3 June, so players should get their entries in during May.
Volunteers for ANC
The organisers are looking for volunteers to help with tasks such as meeting & greeting, administration, setting up and dismantling the playing rooms, and preparing the room for the Presentation Dinner; if you can help, please contact Lyn Carter at
Workshop with Will Jenner-O'Shea
Next Will's Workshop at CBC will be on Sunday May 10th. If you are interested on improving your doubles, sharpening your overcalls and learning about sacrifices and scoring, then register through the link below:
- Sunday 10th May 10am to 3pm
- Click here to register
The cost is $60, a portion of entry fees and book sales goes towards Youth Bridge in the ACT. A Delicious Morning Tea and Lunch are included.
New Players
Canberra Bridge Club welcomes the following new and returning player:
- Ellie Filler
- Katy Macmahon
Youth Shoutout
A strong Youth Bridge program can only occur with dedicated people supporting us. This week I'd like to say a particular thank you to Oliver Simonetti for bringing a plethora of new players to Youthish Bridge and patiently teaching them Mini Bridge followed by bidding and card play. You are a champ Ollie! .
Youthish Night
On April 24 we had a strong turnout to Youthish Night despite a Magic: The Gathering tournament that lured some of our regulars to Melbourne. Huge thanks to these mentors who said yes when I asked them to help our youth bridge players: Julia and David Hoffman, Andrew Struik and Nikki Riszko.
The next Youthish Nights are being held at the Club on Friday May 15, June 19 and July 17.
Contact CBC Youth Coordinator Suz Wilkinson
Youthish Teams
Huge thanks to Tamara and John for donating their time to help run the Youth Teams Night on April 10. The next online teams practice for Youthish players and mentors is being held on Friday May 8 at 7pm.
Please enter by May 6.
Upcoming Events
The next Tuesday night competition is the 3 weeks Autumn Butler Pairs on 5th to 19th May 2026 - 7pm Start!
SCONGRESS
Don’t forget to enter the SCONGRESS which is on Sunday May 17 to help CBC’s international youth players get to China.
This year we have FIVE Youth players going to Hefei, Anhui. Alexis Wilsmore, Jessica He, Jade Wilkinson, Dev & Diya Shah.
There’s a raffle with prizes hand made by some of the players and the top prize is winning a personal game with Will Jenner O’Shea or free entry for you and your partner to one of his workshops.
RESULTS
RED Masterpoint Sponsored Event Winners
Travel Associates Pairs Section A:
- Sunny Campbell - Gordon Henderson
Travel Associates Pairs Section B:
- Evonne Graham - Marcia Carrick
TBIB Pairs Section B:
- Kerry Dunlevy - Elizabeth Chisholm
TBIB Pairs Section C:
- Paul Craft - Ross O'Neil
Colourful World Pairs:
- Ian Pryor - Ian Neill
Pacific Pairs:
- Atul Hajela - Terri Henderson
RealBridge Red MP Thursday Pairs:
- Pamela McKittrick - Chris Evans
RealBridge Red MP Monday Evening Pairs:
- Jean Hydleman - Ralph Edwards
RealBridge Red MP Monday Afternoon Pairs:
- Craig Becconsall - John Donovan
Online Lesson with Will
Will is running regular Online Lessons that are suitable for Club players of all levels.
There is a LIVE ZOOM on Thursday Mornings at 9:30am, or you can sign up for the lessons and receive the Recording, Hands, Notes, and a way to Replay the hands later. The full list of lessons and topics can be found on our website.
Next lesson is on "Landy Defence after 1NT Opening". Purchase through the link below.
Name Badge Order
Our next name badge order will be processed at the end of April. Please click on the link below to buy a magnetic name badge for $20.
Lighter Moments
Canberra: where every moment feels capital-ized
- I asked for drama, Canberra gave me parliament sessions instead.
- Canberra gave me a roundabout education.
- Canberra: where even the ducks look like government officials.
- Spent a week in Canberra and now I speak fluent bureaucracy.
- Canberra traffic jam = 3 cars following a kangaroo.
- In Canberra, even the jokes need approval from parliament.
- Canberra is the only place where “nothing happening” feels premium.
- I blinked in Canberra and missed the rush hour.
- Canberra: powered by coffee, politics, and peaceful vibes.
- Asked a local about nightlife—he said “we sleep professionally.”
- Visited Canberra and now I understand the meaning of “low-key iconic.”
I love Canberra, especially in autumn when the weather is just starting to get crisp and the trees are red, yellow and green - it is just perfect! Getting the weather perfect in our club rooms however has always been a contested issue. This week I've alternated between heating, cooling, just running the fan and turning it off completely in an attempt to find the most comfortable state. I tend to err on the side of the cooler rather than the warmer but then the office's temperature varies a couple of degrees from the BT room. If you are too hot or too cold please let me or the director know, our set up is easily adjustable and it isn't any trouble. Having said that, wearing layers is the best compromise because as per previous years you should already know that by the time I get this right, it will be winter and by the time I get that right, it will be spring...
Enjoy the rest of the week everyone, don't forget to bring a jumper.
Elizabeth
