Life Members

 Christine Pont.

Life membership was awarded to Christine  on 31 January 2025 after nomination by John Levick and Enid Norris.

The nomination spoke to Christine’s kindness, wit, skill, organisational ability and effervescent humour.  Gratitude was expressed  for her personal acheivements and  how she has helped so many.

Her contributions were reflected in the nomination and include….

As a player:

·Numerous Club Championships in GC and AC

·First member of the club to be selected for Australia/ NSW in GC and AC

·Selected to play for Australia in World Open GC 2006

·Played in the first Women’s World Championship in Egypt and again in Ireland, NZ and Australia.

For the club:

·Member 1999- present

·President 2009-2011

·Instrumental in changing the club’s name to include Newcastle as many thought the club was in the bush just being known as National Park Croquet Club.

·Vice Pres., Games Captain, Head Coach, Sponsorship and Publicity Officer

·Coach and referee 2001 onwards

·U3A Coaching Coordinator up to 2024

·Responsible for many current members joining via U3A courses and Come and Try days

For the broader game:

·National Director of GC 2000-2009

·Coaching qualifications through Bathurst Uni.

·Was instrumental in bringing the World Women’s to Australia in Melbourne and was given the Honor of leading the Australian team, welcoming the international players and being the flag bearer.

Christine considers her claim to fame to be when she volunteered to work in the kitchen and was sacked for not being able to cut the sandwiches in quarters (even with the steel cutter) so was relegated to collecting coffee mugs and filling water bottles.