Lawn Rolling and Court Renovations

Lawn Rolling Volunteers

Well the new lawn has been laid and now we need to roll it. 

For the next 4-6 weeks we need to roll the lawn every day.

Please don't think this is a job just for the men; Claire and Margaret have both used the roller so far. It takes around 30-40 minutes to complete the lawn with 2 people taking 5-10 minute shifts.

What you need to do:

• Volunteer by writing you name on the sheet in club house. 2 people per day is probably best. In our testing this morning we found doing it in shifts (on person pushing the roller while the other rested) worked well but you may prefer to push the roller together. If you're concerned you're not strong enough to use the roller then just go up to the club and give it a go for a couple of minutes. 
• Before rolling on a given day see which direction it was done the previous day and do the opposite. We are doing in North/South (length of court) and East/West (width of court) directions.
• When you have completed the rolling, lock up the roller and record the Direction. It is important you update the sheet because we need to spread the rolling and for insurance purposes.
• Please keep the lock key with the sheet in the club house.

We have volunteers for Tuesday and Wednesday, please go to the club and volunteer now. I'll be away until Monday, 31 Jan so if you have any questions please call Claire.

Lawn Roller

Campbell Holland called upon his old council mates to arrange the loan of the roller for the next 4-6 weeks; thank you Campbell. After the initial rolling it would be good to roll the court weekly so we are on the look out for a second hand roller. Maybe you know someone who had a backyard tennis court and no longer needs the roller. Please keep on the lookout and let myself or Claire know if you find one.

Court Renovations: Photos

Thankfully the weather was kind to us during the renovations. Is was a little hot for the workers on Friday but they coped.

Friday: They cleared the existing lawn and ran the "Verti Drain" machine over the underlying base. The Verti Drain creates 6 inch deep holes in the ground approximately 6 inches apart to help with drainage and soil compaction. The soil and new turf has also arrived.

Saturday: The Laser Leveller came in to spread the soil and level the court. Originally we ordered 10 tonnes of soil but they soon realised that was not enough and ordered another 15 tonnes. My guess is we only used 8 or so tonnes of the second shipment so later on we may sell bags of soil to members. The grass started going down after lunch. At 4:30 they finally finished and we were able to crack a beer to celebrate.

Sunday: Claire, John & Dorothy, Margaret & Don, Tim & Nicky, Kevin, Colleen, Pauline & Alan and John Deeves went around the court filling the joins in the lawn with soil. 

You can see photos of the works here.

The future: 

• We will be rolling everyday for the next 4-6 weeks. Don't forget to volunteer.
• Over the next 7-10 days we will be watering the lawn like crazy until the roots start to take hold. 
• Within the next 7-10 days Stuart will come and check on the progress of the lawn.
• 10-14 days Stuart will spread fertiliser. 
• 14-21 days mowing will commence; this will be with normal garden mowers to start with.
• 21+ days regular mowing with the barrel mower. 
• 21+ days boundaries will be laid; more volunteers will be required.
• Mal and Stuart say we will be surprised how quickly the lawn will come in and they will not be surprised if we are playing in 4 weeks time. The grounds committee think they are optimistic and thinking more like 6 weeks.

DON'T FORGET TO VOLUNTEER IN THE ROLLING. AND KEEP FOR EYE OPEN FOR MORE NOTICES ON VOLUNTEER JOBS.

All of you with Internet access would you please do the committee a big favour and call 3-4 members who do not have Internet access to spread the word that we need volunteers. Do you get the idea yet that I and a few others don't want to do all the rolling! The Red folder and white boards will be regularly updated with details.

Tsunami Collection

A money and clothes collection drive for the Tsunami victims has been started in the club house. There is a mark jar for money donations and the big "Maccas" water dispenser for clothes. The collection will end when the court renovations start – 21/1/2005.

The money will be equally split to World Vision and Red Cross. The charity for the clothes drive is still to be determined.

Renovations, Meeting & Championship

Happy New Year to everybody. I trust everyone had a great break and are looking forward to great year of croquet .

Court Renovations

The court renovations will now take place 21st and 22nd January 2005. 

We have expressed our annoyance and concerns about the delays and received the following three statements from Malcolm:

1. He is adamant the work will be carried out on 21/22 Jan. 
2. There is plenty growing season left for the grass to take hold. In fact he has bowling greens in Canberra to renovate after our court and Canberra's growing season will end before our does.
3. The court may be ready for play in 4 weeks but almost certainly within 6 weeks. Weather is the major factor in how soon we can get back on the court.

This is only the grounds committee view but while the court may be playable 6 weeks after the renovations the court will be slow for a further 4-6 weeks while we slowly mow it down to the optimum level.

General Meeting 

The next General Meeting is 12th January 2005 at 4:00pm. Please note the change in time from 3:00pm to 4:00pm.

Now we know the court will still be in play we plan to play games before and after the meeting.

Prior to the meeting Association games. They will be 14 point handicap, 1 hour, stop on the bell. Game start times will 12:00pm, 1:10pm & 2:20pm. If you would please indicate in the diary which game time slots you would like to play in we will do our best to give everybody a fair go.

After the meeting will be a BBQ. BYO everything. In other words, bring your own meat, salad, bread, drinks, etc. Following the BBQ we will play social games. The club captain (Claire) will determine the format of the games based on the people who want to play.

Club Championship

The Club Championship is timetabled for the last half of March. With the delays in starting the court renovations it is likely that will be have to delay the competition. We will be considering the possibilities of May or October. We'll let you know our decision ASAP.

New Court

We are meeting with council 11 Jan 2005 on their latest proposal. Full details at meeting.

Hope to see you all at the meeting.

Happy Croqueting
Tim Murphy