CBC History

HISTORY OF COMMUNITY BRIDGE CLUB FORMED IN 1983

The newly-formed Community Bridge Club which opened on 11 March 1983 got off to a fine start with 32 players attending.   The club was started by Mrs. Philippa Roche and a group of friends.    They commenced playing  rubber  bridge on Fridays at the CWA Hall in Pacific St., Long Jetty. Play was between 10 a.m. and 1.00 p.m. and a half hour refresher course for those wishing to update their game was conducted by Phil Roche at 9.30 a.m. prior to bridge. There were also lessons for beginners at 10 a.m.

The aim of the club was to foster both rubber and duplicate bridge. There was no joining fee; players paid only when attending; the session fee was $2; beginner’s lessons and refresher courses were free; and people could come without a partner.    By February 1984 numbers had increased and the club moved to larger premises at Shelly Beach Surf Club. 

The Brisbane Water Bridge Club and the Central Coast Bridge Club both began in 1975 and were the only other bridge clubs on the coast. The Central Coast Bridge Club had been playing at different venues from Gosford to The Entrance until 1986.   They had $21,000 in savings and some members committed money via debentures, thus allowing them to purchase their own building at 415 The Entrance Road, Long Jetty. Also around this time some players from the Gosford area felt a need to play closer to home and the Central Coast Leagues Club Bridge Club was formed in 1987.   This was an obvious concern for Central Coast Bridge Club.   In May 1987, their committee subsequently voted to ask the Community Bridge Club to relocate to their new hall in Long Jetty, offering Friday mornings for rent at $25 per week.  The Community Bridge Club had been operating successfully at Shelly Beach, however they accepted the invitation to play at CCBC for the initial rent of $25 per week and began play on Friday mornings in June 1987.

The two clubs operated independently, and the Community Bridge Club quickly became known as “The Friday Club”. In 1989 and again in 2007 the CCBC suggested the two clubs amalgamate, but this was rejected by the Community Bridge Club members as they thought their club would lose its identity.

In 2012 the then incumbent CCBC committee voted to terminate CBC agreement and gave 12 months’ notice as per the license agreement of 2008.   An association of 25 years subsequently ended. And the search for new premises began, Finding a new venue after 25 years was not easy - premises were found at The Entrance Leagues Club (TIGERS) and we commenced playing bridge at Tigers in August 2012.                                                  

Our club is also indebted to Kevin and Dorothy Hughes, for without their support and loyalty, our club would not have survived.

The club has continued to thrive under the guidance of our subsequent President, Beverly Sivewright and present President Sharon Versteege. It has a reputation for being a friendly club and striving to find a place at the table for everyone.