Gateball at Government House, Macquarie Street, Sydney
Australia Day 26/01/2019.

Some of the gateball volunteers

A sparkling day with sparkling views. What a great way to spend Australia Day with family, friends & playing gateball at Government House.

We were invited to play by His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Ret’d), Governor of New South Wales, Patron of Croquet New South Wales.

We appreciated the invitation and being able to showcase both gateball and golf croquet to the visiting public.

While the New South Wales Police Band played an enjoyable selection of music, we were able to engage with the public & have them play gateball. We were pleasantly surprised by the standard of play by some of the visitors with one achieving agari. A lot of interest expressed and contacts made.

A few of us took the opportunity to tour Government House & the gardens. We were there when the Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18A aircraft conducted a flypast and later the new Qantas Airbus A380 circled low over Sydney Harbour, all part of the 2019 Australia Day celebrations.

As volunteers we enjoyed a welcomed cup of tea, with sandwiches, fruit & cake in the staff room at Government House.

A very enjoyable Australia Day.

Sandra Townley
Epping Croquet Club