Club Newsletter

April 2020

Vale Barbara Milne,

Thank you for all your kind responses to the news of Barbara Milne’s death. I have passed them on to Barbara’s daughter Christine. As you know, Barbara was a keen croquet player, but did you know that she had a garden filled with treasures, that she loved to be in? She was an avid reader and a fashion plate too and formerly a sculptor working with glass and clay, and a painter. She was very close to her family in Australia; Christine, and her son in law Andy and grandsons Chris and Harry who live nearby in Bronte. Here is Christine Underhill’s email address:  and her mobile number is 0414 327 221.

Now that you have time on your hands! …. would you like to write down your thoughts about times with Barbara on and off the greens? Penny Nelson at is collecting thoughts and paragraphs of our memories of, and topics covered in conversations with Barbara, to give to Christine. Please send to Penny by next FRIDAY 3 APRIL 2020.

​When we are free to return to CCC we’ll hold a Wake for Barbara (games and drinks).

Does it seem any easier having withdrawn from the outside world? May be but keeping in touch is important. In this Newsletter there is a lot to interest you, I hope; ideas to think about and some to help you - we are all together, but not on the greens. I am really missing croquet, as I guess you are too.

Thank you for your kind messages when we had to make the very unhappy decision to temporarily close the Club. It has been heartening to know that we are heeding the request to ‘stay home’.

Randwick City Council has closed down Coogee Beach, playgrounds, ocean pools, basketball courts and skateparks as part of a raft of new measures by Randwick Council to reduce public gatherings and help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Last Newsletter I mentioned that Helena Potter is our new Secretary. Her phone number is on the letterhead above. Thank you, Kaye, for shepherding Helena in her new role.

We have discontinued paying for a Post Office Box at Coogee PO (as we rarely received mail there) and now have a shiny new letterbox on our fence at 3 Smithfield Ave, Coogee 2034.

Helena had a cheery phone call from Ian Catalano who is the new Treasurer at Hunters Hill Croquet Club. He and some of the newer members of Hunters Hill are interested in getting together for some social events and possible competition between Clubs (later in the year of course). Helena said that Ian and others in the Club are keen to look outside their fence!
We look forward to meeting up with other friendly Croquet Clubs in the near future.

Nola Holland shared the following article from Karen Butcher of Coogee Probus Club with suggestions on how to keep in touch with each other and with the outside world.

‘Some people are more tech savvy than others so it might be a good time to learn new skills that help us stay in touch and reduce isolation. There are many ways to keep up with what family and friends are doing by using Skype, WhatsApp or Facetime. If you haven't used or are not familiar with these then the following internet links might help."

• How to use Skype -

• How to use WhatsApp -

• How to use Facetime -
   

These tip sheets have been provided by Good Things Foundations. If you have any questions Computer Pals Club for Seniors, Eastern Suburbs, may be able to help you remotely, using Zoom.

Tips
Helping local business is another good thing to do right now and hopefully many will still be trading at the end of this. Ordering take away or home delivery food when you can, keeps people in work and it saves you going to the shop or purchasing groceries as often. 

If you have never tried online purchasing of any products, clothes, shoes, tools, home decorating items etc have a go. If you want to have a clean out at home or make more space in the garage try Facebook Marketplace, EBay or Gumtree. Read how they operate to make sure you understand the rules.
 

Entertainment

Here is a list of links you may want to try. Any other suggestions are welcome. 
 

1.  The Metropolitan Opera for nightly opera streams ...................metopera.org
2.  Berlin Philharmonic .....................................................................  digitalconcerthall.com
3.  London Symphony Orchestra   .................................................   lso.co.uk
4.  Royal Opera House, Covent Garden  .....................................    youtube.com or facebook.com
5.  Bavarian State Opera   ...............................................................  staatsoper.de/en/tv
6.  Seattle Symphony  ....................................................................... https://seattlesymphony.org/live

7.  Vienna State Opera  ...................................................................  wiener-staatsoper.at
8.  Detroit Symphony Orchestra  ....................................................  livefromorchestrahall.vhx.tv
9.  Budapest Festival Orchestra  .....................................................  bfz.hu
10.  Paris Opera .................................................. .............................. operadeparis.fr
11.  Melbourne Symphony Orchestra .............................................. https://www.mso.com.au
12.  ABC Comedy.................................................,............................  live stream on iView

13.  Audible Books are streaming books and stories for free  ......  https://stories.audible.com/start-listen

14.  Art Gallery of NSW has a you tube channel of various exhibitions       ArtGalleryNSWYouTube

15.  https://www.playbill.com/article/15-broadway-plays-and-musicals-you-can-watch-on-stage-from-home

16.  https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/75809/12-world-class-museums-you-can-visit-onlline

17.  There are virtual tours of world zoos, famous landmarks and places, natural wonders or world museums.

Health
If ever there was a time for accurate and reliable information on the COVID -19 virus the following websites are worth a look:

NSW Health website provides the latest updates at 
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/covid-19-latest.aspx
The Department of Health has created a health alert page updated daily
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
Health Direct website includes a symptom check at https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/coronavirus

Message from Val Lloyd
Val and Alan’s son Brendan is a chef. Along with many people he is trying to keep going in this difficult time. I have invited Val to publish this ‘advertisement’ on the next page to support him and for you – hearty tasty meals.
Subject: Home Delivery - Chef Prepared Meals - Nutritious & Hygienic - Heat & Eat - Freeze & Store - The Catering Dept

Chef Prepared Meals for you at home 😋
 

We have been working around the clock to adapt to the current crisis - to find the best way to keep you fed, and to keep our hard working team.... well, um... working...  
What we have designed is a hygienically packaged ready to eat meal - or freeze and store for later - with a bunch of combinations to suit your tastes...
It's super easy - and we've stepped it out for you - 
How to order 
What to expect 
And just an extra little message about food safety... 
We're live now and ready for contactless delivery today - you can check out the menu options and\

ORDER NOW here...
Nutritious and easy - we hope to keep you fed at home, and keep our chefs cheffing - until all our lives go back to normal...
Don't hesitate to reach out if we can help you in any way, or if you just need an old friend to chat to - we're here for you - 
brendan@thecateringdepartment.com.au
sonia@thecateringdepartment.com.au 
And don't forget to stay safe and #supportlocalbusiness - share us with your friends and family and visit our insta to stay up to date. 
We can't wait to give you all a big hug soon! xxxx