Mackay’s Four Day Marathon Of Bridge

It was a quieter week at the Mackay Contract Bridge Club last week as the club held the Barrier Reef Congress 2024. Members transported tables, chairs, boards, welcome bags and more to 500 Pavilion Mackay Showgrounds in preparation for the Barrier Reef Congress.

Members cooked multitudes of biscuits, set up tables, covered windows from the sun and made sure all preparations were completed in time for the cards to start. Convener Diane Morgan has worked tirelessly for months to ensure the event was a success.

President of the Australian Bridge Federation, Allison Stralow shared her thoughts on the congress, after flying to the region from Perth, WA specifically to attend the four-day event.

“I flew over for this tournament, and I’ll be playing with the manager of the Queensland Bridge Association, Kim Ellaway,” Ms Stralow said.

“I’ve played the last three barrier reefs but this is my first visit to Mackay so I’m very excited, It’s absolutely beautiful and much greener than Western Australia at the moment.

“I just want to thank the mayor for his opening and all the support that businesses and people in Mackay have given to this tournament, it’s just wonderful to see the local community get behind bridge. “

A great weekend was had by all who attended from over Australia and New Zealand. Congratulations to the ten Mackay players who placed in the event in one or more sections.

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Weekly Results

Monday 29 April2024 – 6 Table One Winner Green Points
1st
Janelle Conroy / Terrence Sheedy
2nd
David Ting / Eric Goodchild
3rd
Geoffrey Patterson / Noel Bugeia
4th
Monica Darley / Nancy Martin
5th
Sandy Patterson / Geoff Cowan
6th
Anne Lutz / Diane Cox
Tuesday Evening 30 April 2024 –8 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S

E/W

1st
Janet Hansen / Janelle Conroy
1st
Terrence Sheedy / Ken Seaniger

2nd
Frances Brown / Alan Brown
2nd
Noel Bugeia / Eric Goodchild

3rd
Marilyn Wilson-Nicol / Griff Bancroft
3rd
Patrica Garner / Mick King

4th
Annie Lynch / Sandra Morris
4th
Marilin Robins / Faye Wright

Wednesday 1 May 2024 – 11 Table Mitchell Green Points
N/S

E/W

1st
David Ting / Eric Goodchild
1st
Janet Hansen / Alan Brown

2nd
Janine Rodgers / Richard Wix
2nd
Terrence Sheedy / Lorna Shuttlewood

3rd
Janelle Conroy / Noel Bugeia
3rd
Joy Block / Geoff Cowan

4th
Ted Cullinan / Geoff Taylor
4th
Sandy Patterson / Geoffrey Patterson

5th
Carmel Brown / Patrick Rasmussen
5th
Monica Darley / Kath Poole

BARRIER REEF CONGRESS 2024 MACKAY RESULTS
Barrier Reef Walk Ins
1st
Denise O’Regan & Kay Webber
2nd
Diane & Max Holewa (Mackay)
3rd
Lesley Fraser & Rick Gryg

Eric Parsons Open Pairs
1st
Sue Ingham & Michael Courtney
2nd
Lyn & Malcolm Carter
3rd
Mike Boecke & Simon Hinge

Barrier Reef Restricted Pairs
1st
Kate Gargan & Patricia Ottone
2nd
Melissa Preesley & Jane Gryg
3rd
Mary & Ian Cruickshank (Mackay)

Barrier Reef Novice Pairs
1st
Debbie Carol & Jacinta Lee
2nd
Sandy Patterson & Geoff Cowan (Mackay)
3rd
Joy Brunette & Linda Pridy (Mackay & Bowen)

John Brockwell Open Teams

Team
Players
1st
Whitaker
Duncan Badley / Paula Boughey / Ashley Back / Fred Whitaker
2nd
Reid
Lauren Morgan / Alex Goss / Jasmine Skeate / Jeremy Reid
3rd
Thomson
Leight Foran / Theo Mangos / Cathryn Herden / Matthew Thomson

Barrier Reef 300 Teams

Team
Players
1st
Cruickshank
Mary & Ian Cruickshank (Mackay) / Jan Van Riel / Sally Foster
2nd
Dudurovic
Rex Meadowcroft / Kathleen Clifford / Althea Crowley / Jacqui Dudurovic
3rd
Harris
Jan Harris / Ming Ting / David Ting (Mackay) Maria Setiyawan

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The 500 Pavilion was filled with smiles and camaraderie as participants from all around Australia and New Zealand gathered in Mackay for a four-day congress of Bridge.

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Kim Ellaway, Allison Stralow, Noel Bugeia and Richard Ward.

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