CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2015!!

What a fun night! Mulled wine, food, applause ... a wonderful celebration of our 19 new bridge players for the two clubs. A lovely speech by Anne Berben as she presented Tokoroa with blue tablecloths she had made to thank the club for the support they are giving them providing deals for their club so they can join the X Club. Click on Read More below for some lovely photos from graduation and to meet your new members:
Jacquie comes from a good stable! Her Mum Ngaire is well known at Tokoroa as the nonagenarian going on 30! Jacquie has great card skills and we hope her new job won't keep her away from the bridge table for long. Her buddy Barbara is on task to keep her playing.
Class of 2015
Rachel Young joined at the 4th lesson and has sailed away. Top of the EW field at graduation night she was top finisher at X Club 7th across the nation with her Buddy Judy Grey. Great start Rachel!
Class of 2015
Rodney is swotting hard at home and finished runner up NS at graduation. He was certainly being put through his paces by Buddy Hans Nelis!
Class of 2015
John Miratana had to miss a few lessons whilst away but what he lacks currently in bidding he more than makes up for with his sharp card play. Here he is with his Buddy Maria who has been a stalwart at lessons and regular helper.
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Dexter played bridge in his undergraduate years. Joining both clubs he scored two buddies and here he is happily flanked by Dianne Vonk and Anne Berben.
Class of 2015
Jan Bishop has also joined both clubs. Here she is with her two buddies Christine Sowden and Anne Berben. Anne has been another stalwart of the Putaruru lessons helping out regularly.
Class of 2015
Helen Haigh learned bridge before but this time is determined to see it through! Helen finished joint top EW on graduation so you are well on the way Helen! Here she is with her Buddy, Putaruru President Eileen Barker. Eileen has been another stalwart of lessons and has put in many hours this year to support the club's rejuvenation.
Class of 2015
Ken Royson is Mr Sociability and plays bridge for fun and has thoroughly enjoyed lessons. Joining both clubs he is flanked by his Buddies Marjorie Roberts, another stalwart of the Putaruru lessons helping regularly and his Tokoroa Buddy Colleen Burmester.
Class of 2015
Karen O'Sullivan was prevented from completing lessons previously as she landed a part in a play. Lucky for us she didn't audition this time around and she joins both clubs. Here she is with her Tokoroa Buddy Katie Mole.
Class of 2015
Elaine Allan has great table presence. Calm under fire and looking knowledgeable, when possibly not confident at all, Elaine is really getting to grips with the bidding and making great strides. Here she is with her Buddy Sven Johanssen.
Class of 2015
Helen Cant has a wonderful table manner as well as being a very promising student. Having played bridge many moons ago it is clear that her skills are coming back to the fore. Here she is with her work colleague Vera Verhaegh, responsible for recruiting many beginners this year.
Class of 2015
Helen's husband Allen Cant is a mathematician and quite simply will be beating most of us by Christmas so look out!!! Having played previously the skills are returning fast. Playing with his Buddy Sandy he found himself top of the room at graduation - well done Allen!
Class of 2015
"Bad Ron" at times admits to going "Blank". But he is working hard on his bidding, and has a lot of fun at the bridge table. Here he is with his Buddy Gary Cuttriss who has given many long hours to the Tokoroa Club this year to help them rejuvenate.
Class of 2015
Ngaera Wilton has played in the past and she has certainly been showing her strength at the bridge table already. Here she is with Buddy "Good Ron" Sowden.
Class of 2015
Graham Pearce is a sharp card player and going well with bridge. He joins the Tokoroa Club with brother-in-law Tokoroa Club President Graeme Farrow as his Buddy.
Class of 2015
Faye Ives has been hoping for no points so she does not have to bid! Providing us with snacks at lessons she showed us her bridge skills on graduation finishing 3rd NS with Buddy Willy Ryder. Willy has helped enormously in the preparation for the graduation whilst taking on the new technology of the Bridgemates which she is handling magnificently.
Class of 2015
John Harper was praising his Buddy in the halftime break and is obviously in awe of her. Anne Patching is taking care of John in his first steps at the bridge table and also makes a mean Mulled Wine. Thanks Anne!
Class of 2015
Lyn Janssen has been going brilliantly in class. She thinks she may not have enough time for bridge but we are trying hard to persuade her she has, as she has such promise! Her buddy Susan Provan was laid low with a cold so thanks to husband Ross stepping into the breach.
Class of 2015
Just one student missing, our lovely Mariu Lintonbon from Tokoroa. Get well soon Mariu and we hope to celebrate with you next week.
An Apple for the Teacher! Well actually a huge basket of goodies! THANK YOU SO MUCH CLASS OF 2015 - I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!!
Class of 2015