Margaret Macartney

Talking to Margaret Macartney about bridge is rather like taking a journey through the history of bridge in WA and meeting up with some outstanding bridge personalities.

Margaret started playing auction bridge as an eight year old with her mother and sister. She remembers her father would be furious if they played on a Sunday as he considered that day to be the Sabbath.

In the 1950's she became really interested in learning contract bridge and had lessons with the Bromilows, a husband and wife, who were well-known at that time for teaching bridge. Later she met the Rosendorffs and had lessons with Hans who asked her to fill in to make up a table at his lessons. They also played an occasional game of rubber bridge. Some time later she formed a partnership with Jean Rosendorff when they played at Nigel's bridge school in the Broadway Shopping Centre.

When she started playing bridge at WABC which was then situated in a private house in Kings Park Road, West Perth, Margaret formed a partnership with Pam Clarkson whom she had met through playing golf at Karrinyup. This partnership developed into a great friendship and Margaret spent many happy holidays fishing and crabbing with Pam and Sam Clarkson down at Busselton. Margaret and Pam made it into the state team one year for the Canberra Congress.

Margaret and Pam were very lucky to play regular social games with Min Freedman who really taught them a lot. Eventually Margaret and Min formed another very happy and successful partnership at WABC. Other mentors were Mabs McCulloch and Vera Vahala. Margaret also enjoyed playing with Ailsa Smith for many years.

Before WABC had a licensed bar, Margaret was part of a small group, including Barbara Lindsay Taylor, Min Freedman and Dolly Masel, who gathered after the Saturday game for drinks and nibbles and much hilarity, at one another's homes, including Dorothy Krantz's lovely house overlooking Matilda Bay.

Barbara Lindsay Taylor was another great friend and partner. They shared wonderful bridge holidays with Joan Carter and Joan Oldham at Eagle Bay staying at Elizabeth Black's beautiful holiday house. Now Margaret happily plays on a regular basis with Derek Pocock, who is a demanding and stimulating player. She also continues her enjoyable partnership with her good friend, Joan Carter.

Margaret has some nostalgia for the cosiness of the old club rooms at Waratah Avenue but feels the new purpose-built club at Swanbourne is more open and provides, overall, a very welcoming atmosphere.

 Bridge has been a very important and fulfilling part of Margaret's life, because, in her own words, she is a ‘reasonably good player' and has made wonderful friends.

Jenny Davy

 Published in August 2008 Edition of Trumps Plus