This year Bairnsdale Croquet Club is sponsoring the Bairnsdale Neighbourhood House as its charity.
On Saturday, August 30, the club is holding the Nancy Hills Tournament event as a fundraiser for the Neighbourhood House.
The all-day event starts at about 9am and is named in honour of someone who holds a special place at the club.
Nancy and John Hills joined Bairnsdale from Dandenong in 1990, both keen association players.
Nancy was keen to grow the membership and encouraged players to dress in casual bright colours that would give passers-by the impression croquet was a fun game for active people, not the stereotypical old person’s game.
Along with Barbara Bates she encouraged members to play the quicker, more tactical game of golf croquet.
Nancy was president of the club in 2002/03 and 2005/08, and during her time at Bairnsdale she set her heart on growing croquet in the area and helped establish clubs at Sarsfield, Lakes Entrance and Orbost.
Every year Bairnsdale holds the Nancy Hills Tournament to raise funds for a local charity.
In June 2016, Nancy was asked to remove the cover inside the shelter on lawn
three, revealing a sign stating ‘Nancy Hills Lawn’.
Bairnsdale Croquet Club was proud
to acknowledge and honour Nancy’s efforts.
