Peter Smith: Reflections

Reflections

 Many reflections come to me as I step down from approximately 35 years of teaching bridge at WABC. I have had so much support along the way and there are many people to thank.

This harmonious relationship may not have endured without the vision of the group who first developed my contract. These included Barbara Lindsay-Taylor, Brian O’Hara, Pat Thunder and Susan Clements, with the assistance of Robert Holmes in drawing up the document.

 It may seem a no-brainer these days that we should have a professional teaching programme that not only introduces new members but offers them stepping stones to progress through the club system. However, this wasn’t without some initial controversy. But as Susan Clements still puts it so succinctly: “How else do you propose we bring in new members?”  It required some vision and courage at the time, and I am forever grateful to those who stood up for this.

 As a result, we have developed an ideal model for other clubs to adopt if they wish.

 When I started in 1983 there were no lessons at all and no bridge on Mondays(!) or Wednesday during the day. Students flowing through lessons then drove the advent of the Monday supervised session for beginners and the Wednesday daytime session for intermediates. In running the Monday supervised session, I have had the assistance of many along the way, but I’d particularly like to mention Jonathan Free. Jonathan has been a stalwart for over 20 years, and I’ve been pleased to have such a knowledgeable and popular colleague. I have also been pleased to see Jonathan develop his very successful niche as a specialist coach, achieving much success not only with his many protégés but in his own right as a top Australian player.

 It’s easy to forget that the numbers attending lessons in the early days were nowhere near as high as they are now. The club then had perhaps a third of its current number of members. However, despite low attendances I was pleased to have the freedom and scheduling flexibility that meant I could be also involved in raising our children (a trail-blazing idea in the 1980s!). The same teaching schedule continues today and also allowed me to be involved with caring for my elderly mother along the way and more recently, our granddaughter.

 Over the years, as the club’s membership grew and more courses were developed, WABC became the main centre for bridge teaching in WA, with players travelling from afar to attend lessons. My thanks to the approximately five thousand of you who have done lessons with me! The core group, however, has of course always been from the club’s own membership. A recent run through the list shows that at least two-thirds of members have attended at least a course of lessons somewhere along the way, and many of those started from scratch with a Beginners course.

 At this stage I’d also like to acknowledge Nigel and Dani Rosendorff, who were instrumental in imbuing many new players with their enthusiasm for bridge. Following the Rosendorffs’ move to Sydney around 10 years ago our club was the beneficiary of their legacy which remains today, as witness some of our key office holders and committee members since that time, as well as many in the general membership.

I have been pleased to offer additional lessons jointly with Nigel from time-to time, the popularity of which never ceased to amaze us, with single session attendances of 200 or so. Topping that though was the visit of Paul Marston which I organised in 2015, where we had 224 attendees per session, which I believe is the highest attendance ever for bridge lessons in Australia.

 Since the Club’s move to Swanbourne in 2008 our beginner numbers soared and coping with the larger groups required help. I have been most fortunate that Jane Henderson has been available for this. Jane has a natural affinity and enthusiasm for this role and has always been willing to step in. Her influence has been infectious in encouraging so many new members in recent years, along with Deborah Greenway’s pioneering and very successful mentoring programme.

 Over the years the club has allowed me relative autonomy, showing faith that I could deliver what is required. For this I am grateful to 15 Presidents who maintained this tradition of trust, mutual respect, and continued harmony.

 I am also very appreciative of the support of the amazing Sheenagh Young. I’ve always felt that Sheenagh and I have been on the same team and that Sheenagh always has the best interests of the club at heart, making it straightforward when getting things done together. Sheenagh has supported me in my role in many tangible ways.

 I’d also like to mention how fortunate the club is to have signed Andy Hung to take over my role. I have anguished for some years over what may happen when it was time for me to step down. Any anxiety has now been relieved. Andy is a top rated teacher and player (currently in the Australian Open Team) and is the next generation in Australian bridge. Please give Andy the support that you’ve given me – he is most deserving.

 I have been most fortunate to work in such a great place. The measure for many people of the ‘perfect job’ is whether it feels like work. It hasn’t, and perhaps for that reason I have had less than 10 sick days in my career. For the ideal working conditions and the support of my students and spirit in the club, I feel blessed and extremely grateful. It was a great honour to be recently appointed co-patron of the club, along with incumbent, Helen George, in recognition of my service.

 Thank you to everyone who has made all of this possible.

 Peter Smith

 Published in December 2018 Edition of Trumps Plus