Newsletter 7 May 2026
In our newsletter this week...
- President's Message
- ANC is coming to Canberra!
- Workshop with Will Jenner-O'Shea
- Fundamentals Course
- Upcoming Events
- Youth News
- SCONGRESS
- Results
- Online Lesson with Will
- Bathurst Congress Victory
- Lighter Moments
President's Message
Congratulations to Ian Robinson and Neil Ewart on their success at the Autumn Nationals in Adelaide, winning the Blue Ribbon Open Pairs - Consolation A event. Well done!
Our members also did well in the Bathurst Congress and the winners of the BFACT Open teams were announced last night. View all results below.
Volunteer Thank You’s!
As a correction to our newsletter dated 23rd April, I would like to pass on special thanks to Barbara Bialowas and Alison Russell-French for their work in organising the nibbles and drinks following the Graded Butler Pairs event on Saturday 18 April. Your help and support are very much appreciated, as are the efforts of all our wonderful Club volunteers.
I would also like to thank all members for their assistance in helping clean up after sessions, your help is greatly appreciated. Could I please remind everyone to place dirty cups and glasses either in the dishwasher or on the sink. Please do not put used cups back on the shelves.
Thank you for your continued help in keeping our Club tidy and welcoming for everyone.
Enjoy this lovely COOL autumn weather.
- 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
It is not too late to book for Will's workshop running 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.
Fundamentals Course
If you know the basics of bridge but are not yet ready to play a social game of bridge, we recommend this course as your next step.
This is a set of 8 lessons that will consolidate what you learnt in your beginner classes.
In this course we will:
- introduce you to competitive bidding
- teach you some new commonly used systems
- discuss the etiquette of duplicate play and teach you how to use Bridge mates
- help you consolidate your bidding system
By the end of this course, you will be able to play a social game of bridge and be ready to try supervised play.
Next course starts on June 3rd on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 am and evenings at 7:30pm.
Upcoming Events
The next Tuesday night competition is the 3 weeks President's Teams on 26th May to 9th June
Youth News
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 Elizabeth for being patient, efficient and kind with all the requests that we’ve made this year. Your good humour is appreciated by everyone.
The next Youthish Night
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
SCONGRESS
After Mother’s Day this Sunday, the following week has the next most important event - The SCONGRESS! Sunday May 17
This year we have FIVE ACT Youth players going to Hefei, Anhui. Dev & Diya Shah, Alexis Wilsmore, Jessica He and Jade Wilkinson. Money raised will help pay for their airfares.
If you can’t make it and would like to donate, click on this link https://gofund.me/ff378ff4a
There’s also a raffle with prizes donated by the Youthies 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.
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 "Opening Leads - Real Hands - part1". Purchase through the link below.
Bathurst Bridge Club Victory
Last weekend, while the Autumn Nationals were being held there was a local Congress in Bathurst. We hadn't been to Bathurst before, but had heard lovely things about the town, and so decided to go for the weekend.
We had a lovely dinner on the Friday night, before going to bridge for the pairs on Saturday. There was a bridge volunteer at the front gate of the bridge club, holding a rope, and only allowing bridge players in. There is a giant netball facility across the road, and it seems like all of Bathurst who weren't playing bridge were at the netball.
On Sunday we played Teams. We teamed up with another Canberra pair of Kate and Lyndall. We lost out first match, but had a great rest of the day, and won the event. In the Pairs the day before, we came first, and our teammates placed second, despite being in the Novice category!
They played a hand in the pairs, where they didn't leave a Penalty Double in, and tried for game instead. In the team, this hand came up.
The bidding was
Lyndall N Kate S
1S P 1NT 2D
2S 3D X P
P P
Since Lyndall had described her hand well, Kate's Double at the three-level was for Penalties.
3D went down by 2 tricks and scored +500 to our team. Coupled with the opponents going one down in 2H at the other table, we scored +12 IMPs and won this match.
- Will Jenner-O'Shea
RESULTS
BFACT Open teams final
- Winners: GEORGE KOZAKOS - STEPHEN FISCHER - BRAD COLES - ANDREW SPOONER - PETER REYNOLDS
Results from Bathurst Congress
Pairs:
- 1st Open - VANESSA BROWN - WILL JENNER-O'SHEA
- 1st Novices and 2nd Open - LYNDALL KENNEDY - KATE LATIMER
Teams:
- 1st Teams - LYNDALL KENNEDY - KATE LATIMER - VANESSA BROWN - WILL JENNER-O'SHEA
Lighter Moments
Last Saturday our carpets were steam cleaned.
Friday players kindly volunteered at a short notice to push the tables and chairs out of the way after the morning and afternoon sessions.
Bricet, our director for the (whole) day did a great job in helping to coordinate the move while making sure that those who still needed a table got one to finish playing their last hands.
Keep warm everyone!
Elizabeth
