Our Committee - Waverley Bridge Club

Our Comittee

Tim Crowley

President

Well, this is like writing an early edition obituary... Retired with many distractions & interests- Hobbies: writing, art & mining.

A very diversified career – from mining in the Northern Territory, floating a public company, setting up a retail & jewellery business, President of the High St & Glenferrie Rd Chamber of Commerce. Working for the Department of Infrastructure in the Kennett era, to property development and project management.

I have ridden the roller coaster of business life. So skills that relate to the secretarial duties: I have studied Corporate Governance, experienced in change management processes, a reasonable negotiator and arbiter, however, my best qualification for this position was. my 5 year role as “Mr Fix It Man” - the only male on a committee of seven at St John’s Kindergarten. The Reverend Rector was the chairman. However, he was eventually given the boot and I became the 1st ‘non-clergy’ president of the kindergarten. Married to Patsy, my saviour & saint; we have 4 children & 8 grand children. A relatively new club member – 2019.

Marian Obenchain

Vice President

I moved to Australia from the US in the late 1970s, and initially lived in Canberra for about 7 years, and Perth for about 2 years, but mostly I have lived in Melbourne. My working life was as a researcher in demography, followed by many years in human resources, research management and university administration.

I started to play bridge in Kupang, West Timor, where we were awaiting approval for my husband’s research visa, playing with a couple of missionaries. I was the convenient ‘4th’, and did little but hold the cards. Frankly, I had no idea what I was doing. I then took beginners bridge lessons in 1995, with Peter Marley, Norma Borin, and Andrew Mill as my teachers. I was hooked.

Having had the good fortune of learning with outstanding teachers, I would like to see the Waverley Bridge Club continue to provide opportunities for bridge education and growth at beginners, improvers and advanced levels.

Susan Hill

Secretary

Prior to my retirement in 2014, over my working life I was employed in various office and secretarial positions, the last being at Monash Council. I have also worked within the ANZ Bank in local branches and city offices.

My introduction to bridge about 6 years ago began by just casual conversation among friends, so I decided to look into it and booked into some beginner lessons at WBC.

I find Bridge provides not only a way to socially engage with like minded people but a positive ageing factor providing mental stimulation.

I continue to strive to be a better bridge player but not to lose sight of the fact that it is a game and to enjoy the whole experience without too much stress.

I was invited to fill the secretarial role in January 2023 when it became vacant. I have enjoyed this position and have subsequently learnt a lot about the administration of our Club and the volunteering Committee that goes behind the scenes to make WBC the biggest and best in Victoria.

David Carruthers

Treasurer

10 years of Chartered Accounting, including 4 years in London, was followed by 16 years with BP in four countries including appointment as CEO of the European Regional Finance Centre based in Brussels. On returning to Australia in 1994 I joined the Victorian Department of Treasury & Finance before undertaking a five-year contract as Managing Director, Treasury Corporation of Victoria. Subsequently, I consulted in financial risk management and assisted with the listing of 2 ASX companies while holding held several non-executive directorships including three ASX listed companies. Not-for-profit governance experience has included 9 years on the Board of Red Cross Victoria, consolidation of the Red Cross National investment strategy, and 8 years on the Rotary Club of Melbourne Board, including 7 years as Treasurer. I was an active bridge player from 1969-72 and rekindled this passion of my youth 45 years later when I joined WBC in 2017.

My appointment to the Investment Sub-Committee in 2019 has provided me with some insights into the financial activities of the Club, an area which I believe is my strength.

I am a strong believer in good governance as a combination of: - policies & procedures, including compliance with them; - promotion of acceptable behavioural values; and - strategic vision as to where the Club would like to go and the factors that are critical to achieving these objectives.

I also support the high degree of transparency shown by the Committee over recent times.

George Lovrecz

Tournament Organiser

As Tournament Organiser I would look to create an Equal Opportunity program of bridge that caters for all levels of players from social to national competition players. I believe it is important to provide options that enables our members to progress their bridge at the pace of their choosing. Ideally, this would be in an environment that increases club comradery and delivers our members a friendly yet stimulating activity. As a committee member, I commit to ensuring compliance that meets the operational and regulatory requirements of an ABF affiliated and Incorporated Club.

Andrzej (Andre) Krolikowski

Committee Member

By profession, I am a Mechanical/Production Engineer. I have a vast and varied work experience having worked in many industries. I have had a hand in making many things from cars to chocolate. I worked for some large companies after graduating and then set up and have run my own Engineering Consulting business for many years. Family, especially my 5 grandchildren, travel, friends, tennis, wine and of course bridge are some of my passions. I started playing competitive bridge in 1985 at Kew Bridge Centre but I have been a member of Waverley Bridge Club for many years.

My vision for bridge and especially this club is to enhance the development and teaching of our wonderful game and to foster a friendly, nurturing environment so people, not just members, can enjoy the challenge of bridge. That challenge is not just to get a great result on the night. It is to improve, to recognise and experience one’s own progress in the more difficult and interesting aspects of the game. As well as continuing to provide strong competitive events I would like to see more emphasis on mentoring, education and a friendly social atmosphere within the club. My belief is that to develop your bridge skills and improve your bridge knowledge you need to reach outside your comfort zone and play with and against players better than you. Now that my professional engagements are declining and I have more time on my hands I hope that I am given the opportunity to contribute to enhancing bridge in this wonderful club.

Elizabeth Waddell

Committee Member

Like everyone my life has been one of evolution and change. I am an individual, a daughter, sister, spouse, mother, grandmother, friend, nurse, patch worker and struggling Bridge player.

As a registered nurse I have experienced significant change in nursing and the community. I first began as a Mother Craft Nurse in the 1960’s caring for children who were to be adopted or who were wards of the state for various reasons. I then did, hospital based, General Nursing followed by Midwifery and Psychiatric Nursing. I completed a Bachelor of Advanced Nursing, Administration in the 1980’s. I was a Director of Nursing for several years in both a Psychiatric Hospital and Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. In the later part of my career I worked as a Clinical Advisor in the Department of Health, Mental Health, where amongst other things I led clinical reviews of Mental Health Services. I was awarded a Public Services Medal in 2006 for Services to Mental Health. I have learnt over this journey, that while not always welcome, anticipated or completely successful change is a constant. I joined Waverley Bridge Club in 2017.

When I joined Waverley I was struck by the welcoming and accepting ambience of the Club and its members; the effort that was, and is still made, to encourage continued learning and opportunities for members to play at many levels.

I believe that the Club in its inclusiveness contributes to community social well being and capital. In my time at Waverley, as in my working life, there has been significant change, some of it painful; there have been setbacks and challenges particularly in these unprecedented times with the restrictions that COVID 19 has presented. However, the Club has adjusted, survived and moved to introduce and develop competitive online play. If elected I would strive to contribute to the ongoing development and nurture of the Club.