How did you get started in bridge? At what age? Who from?
I was 19 when I learned bridge, from Marshall Inman at the Kew Bridge Club
Someone I worked with recommended that I take up bridge because he thought I would enjoy it – and he was right!
What do (did) you do professionally?
I worked in non-profits for almost all my career, finishing up as CFO of the Jewish Museum of Australia; I had been interim CEO there for about 3 years. I’m now retired.
Who is your partner and for how long? Longest partnership?
I’m playing in Buenos Aires with Ella Jacob. We really only started playing together in January 2024. My longest partnership is with Eva Caplan; we’ve been friends over 40 years and bridge partners for over 20 years
If you had a choice who would you like to play with? Australia and Internationally- living or dead?
Omar Sharif – I played against him when he toured Australia with the Lancia team; it would have been amazing to play with such a famous actor.
In your playing career, what is the bridge success that has the most meaning for you?
Any time I get to play for Australia is an honour. Maybe my most exciting result in bridge was in 2022 in Wroclaw when we qualified for the knockouts in the World Mixed Teams; I was playing with Damon Flicker, and Eva Caplan was playing with my nephew Jamie Thompson. The top qualifier chose us for the first round of the knockout – and we beat them by 40 imps!
And your worst moment in bridge?
Finding out in 2014 that so many people I had admired and respected as bridge players were cheats and had been cheating for so long was absolutely terrible.
What do you do between sessions to put you in the best frame of mind for the following session?
I just to relax and not think about bridge. I don’t like talking about a lot of hands in between sessions.
Do you have a favourite and least favourite convention?
I don’t really have one either way. Really, I just think keeping it simple is best.
Would you prefer to have more system or less?
Less – understanding what you’re playing is much better than having lots of complicated agreements.
What do you do to improve your game?
Working on partnership understanding.
Favourite bridge book?
Don’t have one
What interests or hobbies do you have besides bridge?
Aussie Rules Footy – Carn the Bombers!
What is the number one thing that bridge has done for you as a person and for your life?
Being able to meet and connect with all sorts of people from all around Australia and the world with all sorts of backgrounds.
Bridge Results and Awards
Asia Cup Women’s – Bronze Medal 2018
National Titles
National Women’s Teams – 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011
Linda Stern Women’s Teams – 2007, 2022
Women’s Playoff – 2022, 2024
State Representation
VIC Women’s Team – 1989, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2011, 2021, 2024
International Representation
Olympiad – 2024 (also npc 2016)
Venice Cup – 2023
Asia Cup – 2018