Table of Contents
Introduction
The Club was formed in 1972 by Pat Shedden and a group of very keen bridge players, some of whom are still active and enthusiastic members. Today the Club has almost 200 members and holds sessions every day in its own spacious and comfortable clubhouse. We offer an active program of lessons which has become our main source of new members.
It is very clear that the success of the Club is due to the continuing support and hard work of its members.
The 25th anniversary celebrations included Cairns’ first national event. The 1997 Barrier Reef Congress, held at the Cairns Colonial Club, attracted visitors from all over Australia.
Thank you to Floris Brown, Prue Haussmann and Marguerite Sexton for compiling this history from the Club minutes and from their personal recollections.
Please contact me if you have suggestions for additional material or if any omissions need fixing.
Andrew Hooper
Updated September 2014
Early Days 1
In 1971, Pat Shedden arrived in Cairns from Tanzania and sought Contract Bridge Players to enjoy social bridge. There proved to be a dearth of such players, so she offered to teach contract bridge to those interested and donate the fees to various charities. She was helped from time to time by Prue Haussmann and by Nat Corrigan of Brisbane who confirmed the teaching notes. These lessons gained in popularity and soon there was a nucleus of extremely keen players. This suggested to Pat that it was time to form a club to play competition bridge.
The first meeting of those interested was held at the R.S.L. on Monday 28th February 1972. Present were Ethel and Phil Landy, Mary and Brian Lawley, Hal Westaway, Fred and Yvonne Cairns, George and May West, Alec and Peg Duffield, Kath O’Neill, Meg Kane, Phyl Hartley, Joan Atherton, Carmel Collingwood, Alice Purcell, Queenie Boden, Ann Boland, Hazel Gummow, Molly Warner, Marcia Mansfield, Mrs Thomson, Tidge Ledlie, Dell Price, Prue Haussmann, David Hopton, Colin and Pat Shedden, Nancy Hinsch. Apologies were received from Brian and Audrey Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Walker, Hugh Harwood, David and Marilyn Jensen, Mary Griffiths, Pam Braun, Ev Turner, Ann Lander, Joan Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Meehan, Graeme Haussmann, Margaret Lowth.
It was suggested that a club be formed to be known as the Cairns Bridge Club. This was moved by Pat Shedden, seconded by Queenie Boden.
David Hopton suggested that the annual membership fee be $5. This motion was moved by Brian Lawley, seconded by Fred Cairns.
The following Committee was formed.
President Alec Duffield proposed by David Hopton seconded by Pat Shedden.
Vice President Phil Landy proposed by Alec Duffield seconded by Tidge Ledlie.
David Hopton was also nominated but declined.
Hon. Secretaries Prue Haussmann and Dell Price agreed to act as Joint Secretaries.
Hon. Typist Carmel Collingwood.
Treasurer Hal Westaway nominated by David Hopton seconded by Dell Price.
Committee Joan Atherton nominated by Hazel Gummow seconded by Molly Warner.
Queenie Boden nominated by Joan Atherton seconded by Hazel Gummow.
David Hopton nominated by Phil Landy seconded by Hal Westaway
Director Pat Shedden nominated by Joan Atherton seconded by Alec Duffield.
The Committee then met and decided that the inaugural committee meeting be held at the residence of Queenie Boden on 1st March 1972.
Prior to this meeting the Treasurer was instructed to open an account at Bank of New South Wales.
The Secretaries agreed to write to Mrs. Haughton of the Mackay Bridge Club requesting information on movements and any other information she could give to help.
David Hopton and Pat Shedden agreed to look for a suitable venue for club play.
Early Days 2
Decisions of the first Committee Meeting were:
- To write to the Queensland Bridge Association (QBA) requesting affiliation, for a rule book, score cards and 100 local point slips.
- To write to George Stephens, a respected Brisbane player and teacher, asking for a Director’s Manual.
- Discussions on various venues were:
- Cairns Club $7 to September
- Harbour Board $6 weekly available in May.
- Adult Education – free but not available on Wednesday Nights.
Moved by Hal Westaway, seconded by Queenie Boden that the Harbour Board be the permanent venue and that a temporary hall be sought until May.
The Good Shepherd Hall was chosen as a temporary venue until the Harbour Board was available on 9th May 1972. The charge for the Good Shepherd hall was $2.50 a session. Table Fees – It was moved by P. Landy, seconded by P. Shedden that the table fee would be 40c per member and 60c for visitors.
The Club developed rapidly in its first 12 months:
- Equipment – A board was borrowed from Mackay Club and Fred Cairns copied a full set of Boards.
- Cards – 40 packs were purchased for $12.
- Heavy corduroy was purchased for table cloths.
- By 20th March, 1972, there were 41 financial members.
- Times for morning sessions were 9.30 to 12.30, nomination by 9.15 on Tuesday.
- Evening session to be Wednesday. Nominate by 7.15. Play at 7.30.
- It was not necessary to bring a partner and once a month a draw for partners would be held.
- Prizes would be awarded when the Club moved to permanent premises.
- Adoption of the Constitution was approved at a special meeting on May 3rd.
- The first Master Point Secretary was Phil Landy.
- Out first delegate to QBA Meetings was Margaret Thomason
At the first Annual Meeting on 28th February 1973 it was noted in the Minutes that Annual Fees be reduced to $4 for each subsequent year and half fees for half year. The reason offered for this reduction was that the Club would not want to amass too much in excess funds as we would never be able to afford our own premises and there was no foreseeable additional expenses.
Current membership by this time was 68, comprising 59 ladies and 9 gentlemen. Those figures show how popular the game of contract bridge is and how necessary it was to form the Club.
1973-78
On 3rd April, 1973, the venue changed to the RSL. In 1973 the first team to play in the Zonal Teams in Townsville had their fees subsidised by the Club.
We moved to the Country Womens Association (CWA) on the Esplanade on 5th August 1974. We moved to the Soccer Club in Cannon Street in April 1978, to the University Centre in Greenslopes Street from 6th June 1979, and finally to the Edge Hill Bowling Club. Playing at these venues required considerable organisation as at each session the tables etc. had to be set up and at the finish of play the tables repacked in boxes (made especially for this purpose).
It was therefore a time for rejoicing when we moved into our own club house on 1st December 1982.
Our first contact with the Cairns Co-ordinating Club Association (CCCA) was mentioned at the A.G.M. in February 1974.
Our first Zonal teams were held on the 13th and 14th July 1974 in Cairns and Zonal pairs were first held in Townsville on 5th and 6th October 1974.
Our first term deposit of $400 was made at Cairns Permanent Building Society on 4th April 1974.
Early in 1974, the monthly draw for partners was abolished as it was obviously causing a decline in the attendance. This was rescinded on 3rd June 1974, members voting 20 -1 to recommence the monthly draw at the end of July 1974.
In May 1974, an uniform Constitution of the QBA was adopted by the Cairns Bridge Club. (The Club was incorporated on 19th January, 1987 – this incorporation involved a completely new Constitution.)
Prue Haussmann attended the QBA A.G.M. in November 1974 and submitted a report at the December Committee meeting.
Our first aluminium boards were purchased in September 1977.
It was moved at the A.G.M. on 12th July 1978 that an extra night’s play on a Monday be held on a three months’ trial basis with the first game on 24th July 1978.
About this time casket tickets were awarded for monthly prizes – these were awarded on total green points.
In 1978 13 tables were participating in the Australia Wide Pairs. In 1997 we still expect 13 tables – How about that for progress?
Club spoons were ordered and these proved to be very popular as prizes.
Sessions, Teachers, Directors
Sessions
New sessions have been introduced on more or less a trial basis. A Sunday afternoon session was popular for many years but interest in this session fell away and currently there is no Sunday session. There was no Thursday afternoon session until Sue Cullen promoted and ran it in 1997. It is now our most popular session. As members grew older the evening sessions became less popular. But numbers are now improving as many new members wish to play at night. We have a standby player at the night sessions so it is not necessary to prearrange a partner.
The Friday afternoon session was introduced in April 2012 following a suggestion by Cairns then Vice President David De Bernardi. The session was intended to be attractive to new players progressing from lessons and to players at the successful Northern Beaches Bridge Club who may have felt intimidated at our more competitive sessions. Everyone was welcome to play but players with over 35mps were required to partner players with under 35mps. David initially ran the session which continues to be very popular.
Teachers
Teachers have always played a vital role. Beginners classes provide our main source of new members. Special thanks have to be given to all members who have helped over the years with both basic and advanced lessons. Pat Shedden helped so many for many years, but mention must also be made of Prue Haussmann, Helen Thompson, Jeff Lathbury, Ev. Turner, Daphne O’Neill, June Padgett, Andrew Hooper and recently Lesley Fraser and Rebecca Delaney. Supervised Play is also important to help introduce new players to the duplicate sessions. Maria Grigg, Marguerite Sexton, Matthew Byrne, Andrew Hooper and Ted Hobson amonst others have given valued assistance to these new players.
In 1977 the QBA started tuition tours. Our first QBA teacher was Nat Corrigan who was accompanied by his wife Mary. Hugh and Jean Harwood were their hosts. Over the years we have received instruction from Richard Ward, Ron Klinger, Bill Hunt, Paul Lavings, Philip Alder, Audrey Grant and Joan Butts. Richard Grenside and Reg Busch have conducted directing courses. An early Ron Klinger tour was sponsored by John Hughes of Reef Coast Realty. Ron Klinger has conducted several workshops in recent years.
Directors
For many years Phyl Hartley directed all the Tuesday morning sessions and Prue Haussmann directed all the Wednesday night sessions. When the Saturday afternoon session was introduced they continued their good work. They were later joined by Jack Fraser, Ev. Turner, Daphne O’Neill, Shep Humston, Floris Brown, Helen Thompson, June Padgett, Maria Grigg, Andrew Hooper, Barbi Williams, Garry McGregor, Joy Trigg, Lee Miller, Terry Conlan and Sarah Strickland.
Helen Thompson and Andrew Hooper have run directing workshops.
In May 1987, the QBA requested names be submitted for accreditation, as a Queensland roll was being compiled. Prue Haussmann, Phyl Hartley, Jack Fraser, Daphne O’Neill, Ev. Turner, Shep Humston and Helen Thompson were nominated and accepted. Since the 1990s accreditation is only achieved by passing the exams set since the 1990s by Reg Busch, Jan Peach and currently Richard Wallis on behalf of the QBA. Helen Thompson is qualified as a State Director. Andrew Hooper and Rebecca Delaney are qualified as Congress Directors. Mary Yeates, Pam Flanagan, David De Bernardi, Lee Miller and Garry McGregor are qualified Club Directors.
Trophies, Premises
Trophies
1979 – Bobbie Grabau started donating litres of petrol as trophies for encouragement award. On several occasions Bobbie donated a $500 trophy for Congress events and in 1997 sponsored the Eric Parsons Pairs at the Barrier Reef Congress with a $1000 donation.
In 1986 Kevin Shorey donated a trophy for play by Pairs on two consecutive Saturdays, with the same partner. This trophy took the form of two brooches to be held by the winners for twelve months and a plaque with the winners names engraved on it.
Jake Da Costa donated a trophy for a pairs Competition to be played on two Tuesdays with the same partner. This competition was first held in 1988.
In 1995, Tidge Ledlie and Marguerite Sexton donated a trophy to honour Pat Shedden. This is played as a pairs event on the Wednesday night nearest the Club’s anniversary.
In 1997, Don Tapscott donated the Helga Tapscott Memorial Trophy to be awarded each February to the Club’s most improved player over the previous 12 months. This trophy is now sponsored by Julie Jensen
Premises
On the 2nd May 1979 a Special meeting was held to discuss the considerable rise in the weekly rental at the Soccer Club.
Discussions at the Committee Meeting on 8th May 1979 resulted in that the monthly Monday night be suspended until further notice.
An Extraordinary General Meeting was called on 23rd May 1979 to discuss
- An increase in table fees.
- A possible change of venue.
The President advised that the $25 we had been paying to the Soccer Club had been increased to $55 per week.
It was moved that a trial game be held at the University Centre, Greenslopes St on 1st July 1979.
At the Special meeting on 6th June 1979, it was moved that we play on a regular basis at the University Centre on Friday nights and remain at the Soccer Club on Tuesday and Wednesday.
1979 – New Club House
New Club House
The first mention of our own premises was made in May 1977, by a member who mentioned that the North Queensland Amateur Gem Cutters were hoping to obtain land in the Cultural Reserve in Greenslopes St. On 23rd May 1979 it was moved that the Executive Committee investigate the possibility of obtaining our own premises and report back to the A.G.M.
In June 1979 the President was instructed to approach Lynn and Lloyd Grigg and members of the Gem Club to investigate the feasibility of sharing a club house with them.
On 10th July 1979 Prue Haussmann and Jack Fraser attended a meeting with the North Queensland Amateur Gem Cutters. It was decided that sharing a club house could be a viable proposition.
At the A.G.M. on 17th July 1979 it was first moved by Ev Turner, seconded by M. Hoins that we seriously consider acquiring our own premises. It was the moved by M. Hoins, seconded by Jack Fraser that the Club investigate the possibility of sharing premises on an ownership basis with another organisation, namely the North Queensland Gem Club.
All members were prepared to support the club house project.
Preliminary plans were received from the Gem Club for perusal. A Building Committee was formed comprising Prue Haussmann, Jack Fraser, Alec Duffield, Shep and Sam Humston and the Secretary Floris Brown and later Beryl Grock when she was appointed Secretary. Also formed was the fund raising committee comprising, Dell Price, Hazel Schipke, Phyl Hartley, M. Hoins, Marguerite Sexton, Colin Ure. Colin Ure later resigned and Joy Collyer was appointed.
At the Gem Club Meeting on 13th November 1979 we were advised that we would have to provide $15000 to match the amount contributed by the Gem Club. As we were not considered to be a cultural club we could not apply as Joint Tenants for subsidy. The building was to be constructed on a portion of the Cultural Reserve in Greenslopes Street.
All members were to be informed of the progress of our negotiations. Their permission would be required to proceed with the affiliation with the Gem Club in the format described. On the 4th December 1979 the President reported on the meeting of the Cairns Cultural Co-ordinating Association. They approved of our affiliating with the Gem Club. To formalise the agreement it was resolved that we call an Extraordinary General Meeting on 19th December 1979 to discuss a possible affiliation with the Gem Cutters Club in an endeavour to procure our own premises on a cost share basis for the use and control of the building. The CCCA president and the Gem Club Committee were to be invited.
At this meeting it was decided that the Vice President Dell Price seek an interview with the Minister of Cultural Activities and enquire how to proceed to obtain a subsidy for joint bodies – one Cultural, one Sporting. The Secretary was also requested to write to Mr. M. Tenni, M.L.A., Mr. R. Jones, M.L.A., Dr. Hoyal (CCCA) and the Director of Cultural Activities requesting their support for this venture.
1979-82 – New Club House
New Club House 2
At the A.G.M. on 15th July 1980, a special notice of motion to ratify the Committee’s decision to build a club house jointly with the Gem Club was passed.
An agreement with the Gem Club to build a joint club house was reached on 16th September 1980. The land available was at the Cultural reserve in Greenslopes Street, at the western end – this was considered to be a quiet block.
The two Presidents, Prue Haussmann and Noel Worrall called on Mr. Farrelly (who volunteered his services free), to draw up the agreement between the two clubs. Jack Fraser and Daphne O’Neill were appointed trustees for the Bridge Club. Another legal document to be prepared was the Licence to Occupy.
Deon Soemardi was the architect for the original plans. On 19th February 1981 Prue Haussmann, Jack Fraser and Beryl Grock attended a meeting with representatives from the Gem Club and the CCCA to draw up an agreement. A building permit was to be obtained immediately. A loan of $25000 at 13% over a five year period was taken out on 8th December, 1981 – of this loan $20000 was used and repaid soon after the club house was opened as a subsidy was received from the Queensland Government.
At a Joint Meeting of the Bridge and Gem Cutters Clubs on 23rd February 1982, it was decided to construct a modular club house. The members on the Building Committee were Shep Humston, Jack Fraser and Prue Haussmann.
On 22nd June 1982 $2710 was required for the filling of the land. Graeme Haussmann did all the levels.
$10000 was lent to the Gem Club for the purposes of the subsidy. This was returned within 7 days.
The first game in the new club house was held on 1st December 1982.
1981-82 Fund Raising
With the decision to build the club house came the necessity for fund raising. This was done in various ways. Life Membership set at $300 was taken up by 15 members. Weekly raffles were held and monthly Bring and Buy stalls were held on Tuesdays. A gift (of approx $6000) from Lyn Grigg and her husband Lloyd from the proceeds of a block of land was to be given jointly to the Gem Club and the Bridge Club provided the joint building went ahead. This was lent to the Gem Club to enable them to obtain a $ for $ subsidy – the Bridge Club not being Cultural could only claim 20c in the $.
- A mannequin parade was held.
- Prizes for competition winners were cancelled.
- Lamington drives – thousand of lamingtons were made at the home of Mary Griffiths – wonderful work by so many of the members.
- A progressive dinner realised $1037.
- A recipe book was compiled and sold out very quickly ($400 – to be used for purchase of chairs.
- Four luncheons were held at the home of the Frasers, Daph Davis and Hazel Schipke – these netted $575.
- A cake stall at Earlville Shopping Centre.
- A musical evening at Hazel Schipke’s home raised$900, $500 of which came from a donation by Daph Davis).
Raffles included a brooch donated by Lynn Grigg and a hand painted coffee set by Nola Ferris.
| Date | Balance |
| September 30, 1981 | $34000 |
| January 21, 1982 | $39000 |
| June 20, 1982 | $63243.49 |
By August 1982 the building had been started. The Decor Committee consisting of Dell Price, Joy Collyer, Marguerite Sexton and Ev Turner were very busy choosing chairs and material for curtains which were made by Phyl Hartley and Jean Fraser. The painting of the building was done by many club members. Tiling in the breezeway was done by Bob Hartley. Painted tiles in the kitchen and toilet surrounds were done by Nola Ferris. Gardens were planted and edges concreted by Jack Fraser and his son Craig. All in all a wonderful effort by so many of the members and friends.
By August 1982 the building had been started. The Decor Committee consisting of Dell Price, Joy Collyer, Marguerite Sexton and Ev Turner were very busy choosing chairs and material for curtains which were made by Phyl Hartley and Jean Fraser. The painting of the building was done by many club members. Tiling in the breezeway was done by Bob Hartley. Painted tiles in the kitchen and toilet surrounds were done by Nola Ferris. Gardens were planted and edges concreted by Jack Fraser and his son Craig. All in all a wonderful effort by so many of the members and friends.
By 19th May 1983 the Treasurer reported that $86665 had been spent on a building and grounds and a further $3243 spent on furniture and fittings making a total of $89998. The final subsidy cheque for $6862 was received from the Queensland Government in August 1983.
With so many helpers the project had to succeed. So it was a very special occasion when the joint club houses were officially opened on 18th June, 1983 by the Member for Barron River, Mr. Martin Tenni.
On 19th January 1984 it was decided that quotes for Air Conditioning be called. At a Special Meeting on 21st June 1984 the overwhelming vote was not to install air conditioning.
At a Special Meeting on 14th June 1990 it was moved to proceed with installation of Air Conditioning, but also decided that smoking would not be permitted in the club house once air conditioning was installed.
On 9th October 1991 a Special Meeting was called to discuss the installation of a Pergola for smokers and it was decided to accept the quote from Premier Blinds and request that the installation be done as soon as possible.
Our first Masterpoint Secretary was Phil Landy who held the position until Prue Haussmann took over the position in July 1976. Helen Thompson took over the position in 1985. In 1990 Prue took over again. Prior to the advent of computer scoring in 1993, every club session had to be masterpointed by hand. These days the computer masterpoints most (but not all) sessions automatically. Andrew Hooper, Garry McGregor, Mary Yeates and David De Bernardi have held this position in recent years.
1984-95 Items of Interest
- Printed programme books were introduced in 1984.
- The timer and first public address system were installed in 1985. A new public address system was installed in 1996.
- The Club was Incorporated in March 1989.
- The Sunday session was introduced on 9th August 1987.
- The Thursday session was introduced in 1998.
- The original urn was donated by Fred Cairns in 1982 (this originally belonged to Capricornia Plywoods). A brand new urn was purchased in November 1996. Cost approximately $280.
- The small urn was purchased in 1987.
- The Club keeps photograph albums as permanent records of members at various functions. These albums are progressively updated.
- In September 1987, it was agreed to apply to the CCCA for an additional 20 metres of land to the eastern side of the club house. This foresight proved most beneficial when the club house was extended, as it provided valuable extra car parking.
- The Library was updated by Daphne Gellweiller in October 1987 and the bookcase with sliding glass doors, costing $265, was ordered in February 1988. June Padgett was librarian from 1992-1996. Ann Sutherland has been librarian since 1996
- The answering machine for partners was installed on 19th March 1992.
- Helen Thompson published Trumpit, the Club’s first newsletter in 1994-5
- The Club has supplied members with badges since 1995
- The sign in front of the premises was erected in 1995
- Special occasions have been our honouring members on their 80th or 90th birthdays.
A Special Meeting held on 4th July, 1992 resolved to buy a Memdex 386 Computer at a cost of $2345 plus scoring software written by Joan McPheat and Reg Busch. The days of hand scoring were over! It must be acknowledged that the team of hand scoring experts enjoyed their task and typically needed under 15 minutes to score the session they had just played. Hand scoring remains an important skill in times when we take computer scoring for granted.
The club house has honour boards for Presidents, Honorary Life Members, Championship Teams and Pairs. Other club members deserving of mention are the hard working Secretaries, Treasurers and Auditors. To these members we are indeed very grateful.
Our Club has been host to visiting tours by John Newman, Ron Klinger, Finesse West Tours from the USA and Phil Gue from Adelaide.
1993 Extension
Rumbles about lack of space and great heat during the 1988 Easter Congress prompted enquires to be made about extensions to the club house. A sub-committee was appointed to investigate. The sub-committee approached Geoff Bryant for an estimate of the cost of an 18′ extension, plus extra toilets and catering facilities. The quote was $67964.
The first General Meeting was held on 25th November 1992 to discuss extra toilets, office and store room. This motion was defeated but a special Planning Committee was formed to determine the type of extension which would be most beneficial to the Club. The members appointed were Ev. Turner, Daphne O’Neill, Joy Collyer, Prue Haussmann, Jack Fraser, Gordon Gellweiller and Bob Ward. Helen Thompson was President while the extension was planned and constructed.
An extraordinary General Meeting was held on 3rd February 1993 to receive the report from the Planning Committee which briefly was:
- Double the playing area, extra toilets, storeroom and catering area.
- Same Planning Committee to remain.
- Free Games for session winners were suspended
The Planning Committee was authorised to:
- spend money on preliminary expenses up to the tender stage.
- raise finance.
Neil Graham of Power, Graham and Dempsey was engaged to prepare a conceptual plan (cost $575) on 18th February 1993.
At an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 30th October 1993 it was decided:
- To proceed with the proposed extensions to the club rooms and the installation of a new airconditioning system.
- That the Planning Committee’s recommended contractors be accepted. These were Leary Builders, Henderson Air Conditioning and Glen Thwaite, Supervisor.
- The Management Committee be empowered to raise finance for the extensions.
The total cost of the project was $150575. $70000 was to be raised by loans from members at 7%.
Work was planned to commence on 22nd November 1993 and expected to take about 12 weeks to complete.
During construction, play was held at Education Centre, Yugoslav Centre and C.W.A. Hall. Play recommenced in the club house in February 1994.
Congresses & Competitions
1997 Easter Congress
The 1997 Barrier Reef Congress celebrated the Club’s 25th Anniversary. With Helen Thompson as Congress Convener the event was promoted nationally and attracted 46 tables of participants who came from Papua New Guinea and all Australian States. Fund raising in support of this Congress raised over $8000 with contributions from a Card Morning run by the U3A Smithfield Bridge Club, Cooking Classes, a Bring and Buy and regular club raffles. An Art Union Raffle raised over $2000. Quicksilver gave reef trips worth over $1000 which were sold within the club or used as raffle prizes. Bobbie Grabau through her family company Cairns Ampol Oil Distributors donated $1000 which paid for the major prizes in the Pairs Championship.
The Barrier Reef Congress, a national event where gold master points are awarded, is hosted in turn by Townsville, Mackay, Yeppoon and Cairns Bridge Clubs. Cairns has now hosted this event 8 times and the event has attracted over 70 tables.
| YEAR | VENUE | TABLES | CONVENOR |
| 2000 | Cairns Colonial Club | 45 | Andrew Hooper |
| 2003 | Trade Winds Esplanade | 62 | Mary Yeates |
| 2006 | Casino | 68 | Helen Thompson |
| 2009 | Sebel | 70 | Andrew Hooper |
| 2012 | Casino | 60 | Andrew Hooper |
| 2015 | Hilton | 73 | Josephina Burrie William van Bakel |
| 2019 | Casino | 68 | William van Bakel |
Competitions
We have been running Congresses since 1982. The October Pairs Congress is held on the first weekend in October and we have run the four day Easter Congress for Pairs and Teams since the Mt. Isa Club relinquished the right to hold it in 1982.
Congress Directors have included Joy Parnell, Ivy Dahler, Richard Ward, Laurie Kelso, Barry Kempthorne and Agnes Brown, Michael Kent and Trevor Strickland. Since 1997 Cairns members Helen Thompson, Andrew Hooper and Rebecca Delaney have directed Cairns (and other) congresses.
Cairns has run congresses in many venues, the first being at Abbott Manor. Later venues included Trinity Bay High School, The TAFE Education Centre, Hides Hotel, our own club house, the Cairns Colonial Club Resort, Trade Winds Esplanade, The Casino and the Sebel Cairns.
Within the North Queensland Zone we compete with Tablelands, Eacham, Tully, Townsville and Cleveland Bay for subsidies to national and state competitions. The Australian Bridge Federation subsidizes participation in the Grand National Teams and Grand National Pairs. The Queensland Bridge Association provides subsidies for participation in the State Teams and Pairs Championships in Brisbane.
