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Jan 25

Australia Day honours for two Society members

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The President and Committee congratulate two Golf Society members who received Australia Day honours today.

Our Patron and Life Member Annie Court received an AM for service to golf administration and to the community and Jean Gilbert received her OAM for service to the community through a range of organisations.

Annie and Jean have made significant contributions on many levels and platforms. A comprehensive list of their lifelong achievements can be found by searching –

Australia Day 2023 Honours list

Congratulations Annie and Jean a truly deserving honour

 

 

 

 

Jan 20

Dinner – Monday 27 February 2023 at Yarra Yarra GC

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Dinner -Yarra Yarra Golf Club – Monday 27 February 

Our speaker will be James Sutherland, CEO, Golf Australia.
James will provide an update on the Australian Golf Strategy since its introduction in
December 2021 including the role played by the broad range of golf facilities and formats,
including non-traditional, in introducing people to golf.

A full report and audio of the dinner will be available shortly.

Dinner speakers- James Sutherland, Barbara Kelly and Anthony Lawrence with President Kim Hastie

Jean Gilbert OAM

Jan 11

Dr Michael Sheret presentation – Sunday 5 February at the Australian Golf Centre 9.30 am

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Golf Society of Australia has accepted the kind offer of Dr Michael Sheret to present a talk – See Below for the details

1839: The First Evidence of Golf in Australia

Presentation by Michael Sheret

Sunday 5 February 2023, 9.30 am

Thomson Room at the Australian Golf Centre

(Opposite Royal Melbourne Golf Course)

Despite several myths to the contrary, golf was first played in Australia on Saturday 25th May 1839. It was played at Grose Farm, a part of Sydney now occupied by the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the University of Sydney and Victoria Park. The evidence for this event is in the diaries of Alexander Brodie Spark. They are held by the State Library of New South Wales.

Spark was a wealthy entrepreneur and respected member of colonial society. As a reliable witness to events in Sydney in the early 19th century, his diaries are an important historical document. The information on golf contained in the diaries first came to the attention of golf historians in a magazine article published in November 1992. Unfortunately, the author did not reference his sources. It was not until 2014 that it was realised that he had used a book about the diaries and had not gone to the primary source. Consequently, some conclusions were in error and three important questions were left unanswered. What triggered the start of golf at Grose Farm? Why did that phase of golf have such a short life? What was the connection to Royal Blackheath Golf Club in London?

The research attempted to answer these questions using primary sources. Spark’s Sydney and London diaries; Spark’s correspondence; archived minutes and betting books at Royal Blackheath; Derbyshire UK archives; UK Shipping records; UK census records; the wills of Captain & Mrs Ferrier; Trove & British newspapers.

 

https://golfsocietyaust.com/wp-content/uploads/1839-First-Evidence-of-Golf-in-Australia-M-Sheret-at-AGC-5-Feb-2023..pdf

To watch the Slideshow – Click on the link below. 

https://golfsocietyaust.com/wp-content/uploads/AGC-presentation-First-golf-at-Grose-Farm-slideshow.pptx

Images from Michael Sheret’s presentation at the Australian Golf Centre

After the presentation several attendees played hickory golf the Sandy Golf Links course.

Hover or click on image to enlarge

Grose Farm 1839 Dr Michael Sheret presentation

Grose Farm 1839 Dr Michael Sheret presentation

Early golf in Tasmania

Early golf in Tasmania

Michael Sheret at AGC

Michael Sheret at AGC

Michael Sheret in the Thomson Room at AGC

Michael Sheret in the Thomson Room at AGC

Alexander Brodie Spark book

Alexander Brodie Spark book

Rod Hiscox and Grant McKay

Rod Hiscox and Grant McKay

Nov 30

Vale Ian Rennick – Past President and Life Member

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Dear Golf Society Members,

It is with great sadness I wish to advise passing of Life Member and Past President Ian Rennick

A member at Kew Golf Club, serving on Committee for many years including time as the Treasurer, the Secretary and Captain. In 1986 he was made a Life member.

Ian joined the Golf Society in 1984 and his contribution spanned several years.

Serving as Treasurer for two years and President for four years from 2007-2011 and remained on Committee when his term finished.

He also convened the Golf Club Historians committee.

The Society is indebted to Ian’s dedicated work, researching, recording, and growing an interest in Australian golf history.

A deserving tribute to acknowledge his significant contribution is to follow.

A true gentleman who will be missed by many

Our thoughts are with his family

Kim Hastie President 

Details for his Memorial Service to be advised

 

Nov 30

41st Annual General Meeting – Election results

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Following the Doug Bachli Trophy, the 41st Annual General Meeting was held

A meeting with some significance as President Graeme Ryan and Honorary Secretary Kim Hastie both finished their terms, having served the maximum six years in their roles.

Following Graeme’s final President’s report outgoing Secretary Kim read the election results declaring herself as the new President, Grace Rew re-elected as Treasurer and Stella Cugley was elected and warmly welcomed as the new Honorary Secretary.

For the Committee positions Greg Bain, Morag North, and John Scheffer were re-elected and Aaron Newnham who was co-opted to Committee to fill vacancy was elected to Committee.

Kim congratulated those elected and introduced the Committee to the meeting.

Thanks, and gifts were given to Graeme and Kim for their many years of dedicated work for the Society.