Susan Clements and Toby Manford (Life Members)
“Outstanding, remarkable and impressive” are some of the accolades used by Club President, Alison Rigg when proposing Susan Clements and Toby Manford as Life Members of WABC.
Generous and gracious are two more descriptions that equally apply to these two ladies who have given so much of their time and energy to the club .
Susan and Toby, friends since school days at St Hilda‘s have played bridge together for over 35 years, Toby encouraged and taught by her mother, Dorothy Krantz and Susan learning from Ushi Hewston, an international player originally from Switzerland.
Together they evolved into a formidable partnership that they attribute to a ―simple playing system that is not fancy but rather steady and consistent‖. They believe their partnership has survived so long because they always put their friendship and enjoyment above all else.
Toby and Susan both cited the first time they represented WA in a State Team in Sydney in 1982, as the most memorable and exciting time in their bridge life together. In those days bridge was peppered with colourful characters and brilliant minds such as Claire Lester, Geoff Lathbury, Keith McNeil and Hans Rosendorff, bridge identities who some members may remember.
Apart from representing WA in many State teams, Toby and Susan also travelled to Miami, Florida in 1986 when they were ratified to play at the World Bridge Championships. Here they met and observed some of the World‘s top players , such as Zia Mahood, Omar Sharif, Bobbie Hamman and Mike Lawrence. They were particularly impressed with the etiquette displayed by these players, and they are equally impressed by the fact they are still top players 25 years later! Interestingly, this was the first time Susan and Toby had come across bidding boxes - back in 1986!
At home both Susan and Toby have made considerable contributions to the development of WABC, both serving on Management and Tournament Committees and now on the Club Recorder Committee. Both ladies capably served as Presidents of the club, Susan Clements in 1986-88 and Toby Manford in 1997-98 .They were both also Vice Presidents of BAWA. They are also renowned for helping in numerous practical ways whenever an event or function requires extra effort.
Above all else both members stressed the enormous enjoyment they have had from their association with WABC. No one would deny they are both equally deserving of the Life Memberships bestowed upon them at the AGM in October this year (2010).
Published in December 2010 Edition of Trumps Plus
