After one session of the Thursday Morning Red Point Pairs the leading contenders for the overall win are:

• Geoff Green & Robin Barnes with 63.92%
• Engelina Poulton & Barbara Giizel with 61.50%
• Adrienne Norton & Chris Girvan with 60.16%
• Lynn & Glenn Bremner with 58.17%

If you play both sessions you can win red masterpoints for your overall position.

If you did not play the first session you can still win red masterpoints for the second session.

The TBA Committee met on February 10th from 2.45pm. Present were Julie Rhodes (P), Leigh Blizzard (T), Leonie Atkins, Chris Girvan, Sue Falkingham, Fran Healey (Minutes), Pam Murphy, Hugh Grosvenor, Simon Edler, Laura Bauermeister. The following matters were discussed:

Annual General Meeting – Saturday March 14th

It’s that time of the year again! Think about whether or not you would like to join the TBA Management Committee this year. All positions will be declared vacant and nominations close on March 1st. There are nomination forms and the collection box near the kitchen.

For those new to the club, on the day of the AGM, we all bring a plate of food to share for lunch after the meeting. The meeting starts at 12.00 noon and is usually completed by 12.30. After that, we have a shared feast, and then there is free bridge for all those who attend the AGM.

Bridge Club Closure

The TBA will be closed from Thursday March 19th until Wednesday March 25th (inclusive). This is due to the staging of the Tasmanian Festival of Bridge, and to the continuation of Australian Playoffs for the Mixed and Seniors Teams.

Tasmanian Festival of Bridge – March 2026 – My State Bank Arena

Entries have been flooding in from mainland competitors for this year’s festival which is going to make for a fantastic event. But where are our local members? This is our premier annual event and there are opportunities to enter in many categories and events. If you want to play over the weekend but have too many points to enter the Novice or Rookie events, just enter the Open event. Open events are open to everyone – no restrictions! Like every Swiss event, you are likely to play most of your matches (after Round 1) against other pairs of a similar level of experience. Imagine how exciting it would be to sit down at a table with Ron Klinger in Match 1!

Entries and more information on My ABF.

Australian Team Playoffs

Because of the high regard which the ABF has for our TFoB venue, and for the organisational capabilities of the TBA including the outstanding capability of Simon, Chris Carolan, Hugh and Sue, they have requested us to host the Playoffs for the Australian Mixed and Senior’s Teams in Hobart this year. The Playoffs will commence at the TFoB on Saturday and Sunday, then continue at the TBA the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. This means we will have some of the best players in Australia attending the TFoB and then coming to our clubrooms at the TBA to play.

Help Wanted

As part of our hosting responsibilities for the Playoffs we will be providing lunch and morning/afternoon tea for the players at the club on Monday 23rd, Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th.

In order to feed the 50 people competing in the Playoffs we will need help from our members to either prepare food at home to bring to the club (soup or sandwiches or cakes) or to assist in the kitchen on those days. Any expense incurred in food preparation will be reimbursed by the TBA. If you can help in any way with this could you please let myself, Pam or Barbara Giizel know and we will get you to join our team.

That Annoying Road Closure!

Unfortunately Queen’s Walk is going to be closed until the end of March according to communication we have had from TasWater. They are apologetic for the inconvenience being caused by this but there is nothing much any of us can do about it.

Beginner’s lessons

The next beginner courses will be starting in February on the 23rd and 25th. Monday afternoons 1-3pm. and Wednesday evenings 7-9pm. Cost is $120, please email the TBA, Sue or phone. All members are asked to promote these to your family or any friends who might be thinking about taking up our wonderful game.

Tournament Organiser?

Katherine Marsden is looking to hand over the reins of TFoB organiser. If you have organisational skills and would like to take over this role, please see me or Katherine about it. There will be significant transitional assistance, and the event at MyState bank Arena is now quite bedded down with many established procedures.

Entry Damage

We are very aware of the safety issues around the damage to our entry way caused by subsidence. It is proving difficult to find someone to undertake this repair with asphalt. If you know someone who could do this repair, or have an idea as to what approach we should take, please mention this to Paul Fredheim.

New Members

The TBA is pleased to welcome the following new member to our club : Sheila Campbell

Promotions

Congratulations to the following members who have received rank promotions last month:

• John Absolom and Curtis Smith to Graduate Master (>2 MPs)
• Deb Ford, from Graduate to Club Master (>5 MPs)
• Carmel Campbell, Max Corney and Julie Hunt from Club to Local Master (>15 MPs)
• Anne Travers to Silver Local Master
• Rosemary Giles to State Master

Bridge Knowledge – Tip of the Month

Anyone can enter an Open event, regardless of experience level and do not be deterred. It is a great opportunity to learn when you play against more experienced opponents. You can observe their declarer play and their defensive strategies in a free bridge lesson!

Julie Rhodes
President