Club History
MELVILLE BRIDGE CLUB HISTORY June 2009
Melville Bridge Club was conceived in 1970 with approx 20 members. Sessions were played in Committee Rooms at the City of Melville Council on Monday evenings and Wednesday afternoons. The Club Membership increased rapidly and outgrew the Committee Rooms, so a move was made to Tompkins Park Hall 1978/79 which included extra sessions on Monday afternoons and Thursday evenings. In 1982 the lease at Tompkins Park Hall was altered to a monthly basis at an increased rental which was financially unattractive. For that reason the Melville Council was approached for assistance for land on which to build the Club’s own premises and at this time Melville Bridge Club became an incorporated body, the City of Melville Bridge Club Inc. Use of the land in Canning Highway, Applecross was approved in 1982, with a grant of $10,000 from the State Government and a loan of $10,000 repayable over ten years, from the City of Melville. Further fundraising from members in the form of debentures and other financial help enabled completion of the building at a cost of $65,000, which was officially opened in August 1983 by the Mayor of City of Melville, J.P. Howson, OBE, JP. Subsequently, air conditioning was installed at a cost of $35,000 provided by Membership loans which were repaid over five years. Debentures from members were repaid as soon as possible. Melville’s Clubrooms were the first community building in the City of Melville designed to be wheelchair friendly - Acrod presented the Club with a plaque in commemoration of this which is situated on the porch wall adjacent to the front entrance.
By 1996 Membership had increased to over 250 and members voted to extend the premises to provide additional playing area, increased social space, a bar and additional toilet facilities. A grant of $43,000 was received from the Lotteries Commission toward the cost of the extensions and refurbishment of the existing playing area to provide new carpeting, chairs and tables. Again, debentures were received from members, as well as from friends from other clubs, helping finance the project which was completed at minimal disruption to normal playing sessions. The extensions were officially opened on 18 July 1998 by the Mayor of Melville, Katie Mair, (now Kathryn Jackson), who became our Club Patron, attending many Christmas functions at which she awarded trophies to recipients. The Club is indebted to the City of Melville in many ways: for providing the land on which to build the Clubrooms; financial assistance over many years in maintaining the building and surrounds; its support for a local community organization; and for its encouragement by attending our social functions when invited. The current Mayor, Russell Aubrey, Club Patron has been a welcome guest of the Club and will be invited to future special events.
In 2002 the Club received a bequest of very generous annual income from the estate of a late member, Mrs Dorothy Kitching, which is CPI indexed and continuing in perpetuity, ie for eighty years. From legal opinion given in interpreting the bequest, it was established that her wish was to foster and encourage the game of bridge, with emphasis on new and beginner players. To honour this wish, the Club has initiated the Dorothy Kitching Handicapped Event in her memory: an annual two session event, open to all financial Club members, held on a Sunday in May or June. This event awards a trophy to the best performing handicapped Club Pair's, also an award to the best Club Pair without handicap. This red point event benefits all members participating, as entrance fees and table monies are waived; and a catered midday meal with refreshments is provided for all attending. Our Club proudly displays on its wall a photo of the late Mrs Kitching: and each year we invite her next of kin to join us at our Christmas function in honour of her memory and appreciation of her legacy. Her bequest has enabled us to make improvements to the Club which benefit all members, whilst still recognizing her intended wish. With her generosity, we will be able to do so for many years.
We are now connected to the Internet www.melvillebridgeclub.org.au, with an email address; playatmbc@iinet.net.au, enabling us to post results, information, Newsletters, photos, news items etc on our website, as well as contact all members to update them with information via email: and members and others can obtain the same information using those addresses.
In 2008 a further grant was received from the Lotteries Commission to purchase software and computer technology to enable boards to be dealt in house, including not only the new playing cards and dealing machine, but also, with a contribution from the Club, new office furniture and playing room chairs. In June 2009 all boards played at Melville are dealt in house.
In 2009 the Club has eight playing sessions each week, which include two supervised sessions for beginners. We have regular teaching classes for beginners and intermediates and support visiting lecturers who give advanced tuition classes. The Club holds an annual two day Congress, usually held within the first quarter of the year, which is an open event, comprising pairs and teams. We also have partnership co-ordination for those seeking a partner, a library to foster and encourage further understanding and knowledge of the game, as well as good kitchen facilities and a restricted bar licence. We have an active social environment which encourages friendship as well as bridge. Melville is a Club where you can learn about bridge as a beginner, advance as an intermediate, join as a member, or visit as a player. Recognition goes to the members who have guided our successful transition from 1970 to 2009. They are too many to mention individually, - each in their own way has played an important part in our history,and without them we would not be where we are today – a vibrant, successful and happy Club, always ready to welcome new members, beginners and visitors.
Today’s unsung heroes in 2009 are working as tirelessly for the benefit of our Club as did those in our first year in 1970 and those who have done so in the years in between. We have come a long way from our original conception in 1970 and will next year celebrate our 40 th anniversary, which we plan to make a very special year.