MEDAL HISTORY

C. B. SHARP GOLD MEDAL
This gold medal was first presented in 1941 as the SA Gold No1 but became the C.B.Sharp Gold Medal after Mrs C. B. Sharp, a member of the Kensington Croquet Club and a foundation member of Croquet SA, presented a bond of eighty pounds ($160) to The Association in 1954. This is an “Open Event”. Image courtesy of Roger Buddle.

G. F. GRAHAM GOLD MEDAL
This medal was first donated in 1965 as the Association Medal, then in 1966 as the President’s Medal. In 1967 it became known as the G.F.Graham Gold Medal or Graham Gold, after the donor, George Graham who was the husband of Victor Harbor member and Vice President Kit Graham. This medal is no longer contested. Image courtesy of Greg Rowberry.

M. E. HATWELL GOLD MEDAL
This gold medal was first presented in 1933 as the SA Gold No 2. Later, in 1956, it became the M. E. Hatwell Gold Medal when Mrs M. E. Hatwell MBE, a member of the West Park Thebarton Croquet Club and President of that club for 30 years, presented a bond of ninety pounds ($180) to The Association for the medal. Image courtesy of Di Helier.

MARRYATVILLE SILVER MEDAL
This silver medal was first presented in 1948 as the SA Silver No1 but became the
Marryatville Silver Medal in 1956 after the closure of the Kensington Oval Croquet Club. The members, who later combined with the Norwood Club, gave a bond of one hundred pounds ($200) to The Association for the medal. Image courtesy of Di Helier.

HARRIET WARNER SILVER MEDAL
This silver medal was first presented in 1948 as the SA Silver No2. Later, in 1961, it became the Harriet Warner Silver Medal when her son donated money for a medal in memory of his mother, who was President and Secretary of the West Park Thebarton Croquet Club and also a President of Croquet SA. This medal is no longer contested. Image courtesy of Bill Lawson.

T. N. STEPHENS BRONZE MEDAL
This bronze medal was first presented in 1923 by T. N. Stephens Esq., the founder of Croquet SA. He belonged to the oldest club in the metropolitan area – the Adelaide Oval Club. It was his idea to approach the Adelaide City Council for Association lawns in the South Parklands. He presented Croquet SA with a bond of forty pounds ($80) for the medal, which is the oldest endowed medal in the State. The medal was originally for “C” Grade players because at the time the Croquet Association (UK) was awarding a Gold Medal for “A” Grade players and a Silver Medal for “B” Grade players. The C.A. stopped sending these medals during WW2 when it was feared that they could be lost at sea due to the enemy sinking of ships. This medal is no longer contested. Image courtesy of Cynthia Durbridge.

J. F. HARVEY BRONZE MEDAL
This bronze medal was first presented in 1956 after Mrs Harvey presented Croquet SA with a bond of one hundred pounds ($200) for a medal in memory of her late husband. This medal had previously been known as the SA Bronze No. 2 which dated back to 1948. Mrs Harvey was a foundation member of The Association and belonged (most probably) to the Kensington Oval Club. She was a sister of Mrs C.B.Sharp. Mrs Harvey also appears to have been associated with the Bordertown Club. The wrought-iron gate at the entrance to headquarters, having stood at the entrance to the original headquarters further up Hutt Road, was erected in memory of her late husband. The gate cost $60. Mrs Harvey also donated the Harvey Shields for inter-club croquet competitions among those players who were not competitive at headquarters. The first shield was given in 1957. Mrs Harvey did not play croquet but was a “keen spectator”. Image courtesy of Robert Speer.

MASLEN BROOCH

In 1974, “as men continued to win the medals”, another endowed Gold Brooch event was added to the SACA calendar due to the generosity of Mrs G. Maslen. This brooch is for women only and conditions of play are the same as for the other medals. Mrs Gertie Maslen was from the Broadview Club and usually presented her brooch to the winner on Presentation Day. She was a formidable croquet player in her day, with a “conservative style” and when in form, was hard to beat. Image courtesy of Di Helier.