Queensland only

The Office of Liquor and Gambling Regulation Community Benefit Funds Unit invites organisations to submit grant applications during the period mid-July to 31 August 2017.

Grants are available from $500 - $35,000.  Tutorial videos and further information are available by clicking here.

National

Grants are available to support local events during Veterans' Health Week 2017 (VHW) which will run from Saturday 21 October to Sunday 29 October, with the theme 'physical activity'.

Full details are available by clicking here.  Applications close on 31 July 2017.  Enquiries I've made with the Department of Veterans Affairs and with a local RSL Club reveal that there is strong interest.  They would provide the accommodation and the bridge club would provide the teacher, bidding slips, pens and cards.

A suggestion is to offer to conduct a beginner's course at your local RSL Club during VHW week (5 x 2 hour workshops) or alternatively to conduct a one day "A taste of bridge" day during the week (simply have people play mini-bridge as an introduction).  Any application could stress that: 

• bridge is suitable for all ages
• lessons would be able to accommodate 4+ participants
• movement between tables is involved in playing bridge (ie there is some movement required)
• bridge wards off melancholia in people - particularly those who live alone
• excellent for mental health and general wellbeing
• requires social interaction; and
• is lots of fun.

Good luck if you choose to lodge an application.

DIRECTORS

Is your club ready for the NEW law changes?  They come into force as from 1 August 2017.

A reminder to let your directors know that:

1. an ABF Director Development webpage can be accessed by clicking here
2. a real-time HELP line is available through to John McIlrath, the ABF Director Development Officer, at 1300 SPADES (1300 772 337) from 9.00 am - 9.00 pm EST or directors can ring John direct on 0437 BRIDGE (0437 274 343)
3. ABDA is holding a seminar in Sydney (5-6 August).  Details are on their website.
4. a Power Point presentation pack is available for directors showing the new Laws.  Send request for a copy to nddo@abf.com.au
5. a new edition of Director is Called is available - email nddo@abf.com.au to order a copy.
6. new Law books are now available at:

• The Bridge Shop www.bridgeshop.com.au/2017-laws-of-duplicate-bridge.html
• Paul Lavings at www.bridgegear.com/virtuemart/new-books.html .

CLUB ADMINISTRATORS

The next marketing workshop is scheduled for Wednesday 23 August at the Hunters Hill Bridge Club, Crown Street, Henley.

To register contact Carol Sheldrake on 0438 619 780 or csheldrake@bigpond.com .

TEACHERS

Teacher Training Program (15 points)

• Canberra Bridge Club, Saturday August 19
• Queensland Contract Bridge Club, Saturday November 18

Continuing Professional Development (10 points)

Topic: Modern Competitive Bidding

• Toronto Bridge Club, Sunday September 10

Topic:  All about Defence

• Canberra Bridge Club, Sunday August 20

Topic:  Teaching 2 over 1 Game Force

• Redlands Bridge Club, Sunday July 30
• Queensland Contract Bridge Club, Sunday November 19

To register click here and then click on the workshop you would like to attend.

A new promotional poster is now available for downloading from the ABF website - simply click here to access (see items 21 and 22). 

It is available in either A4 or A3 format.

This can be used to display on your premises (should you be located near people traffic) so that people will know what you are doing or for situations where you demonstrate bridge being played (shopping centre displays, open days, seniors' forums etc).

Check out our full page promotion in the current issue of Health Times Magazine by clicking here (see page 5).  This was issued on 26 June.

Let me know if you get enquiries from nurses, mid-wives or allied health professionals as a result of this promotion so that I can assess whether we are getting value for money.

Suggestions are invited for where else we could promote our sport.  Over the last few years we have concentrated on Rotary Clubs, teachers (private and public schools) and medical staff. 

Email me your suggestion to marketing@abf.com.au .

Richard Levy (Club President) and Gayle Keenan - winners of the Isla Campbell trophy.

The Nambucca Heads Bridge Club received great coverage of its recent congress in their local newspaper, The Guardian.

Click here to view the article.

Not only does the article cover the congress itself (which was a huge success), but it also highlights the advantages of playing bridge and when their next series of lessons commences.    

Congratulations on great coverage!

Also successful in gaining local promotion was the Bathurst Bridge Club. 

Their May congress was attended by competitors from Central West Southern Highlands, Central Coast, Sydney, Blue Mountains, Canberra and Tumut - 20 tables in all.

Their article (and photographs) can be viewed by clicking here.

Well done!

Click here to view a trailer of Aces & Knaves, a documentary about mental gymnastics, competition and cheating in the toughest game invented by the human mind, bridge.

The American Contract Bridge League is looking to have the completed documentary released in 2018.

Well worth a look!

One of our national sponsors, Red Plum Automotive Brokering Service, is committed to getting our members better car prices than they can negotiate themselves.  This is because they have being doing this for many years, every day!  The team has a collective experience in sales and management working in Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz of over 30 years.  They really do have the inside knowledge on how the industry works!

A number of ABF members have taken advantage of RPA's service and their feedback has been extremely positive.

As an example, TPA provided their TOP 5 June Savings on new 2017 models for customers across the country:

1. Hyundai Tucson - RRP $44,500 Sold $40,000 - discount of $4,500
2. Mitsubishi Triton - RRP $54,500 Sold $46,565 - discount of $8,000
3. Audi Q7 - RRP $132,600 Sold $107,688 - discount of $25,000
4. Mazda CX-9 - RRP $65,400 Sold $58,335 - discount of $7,000
5. Mazda 3 - RRP $28,750 Sold $24,750 - discount of $4,000.

To find out more about what other customers of RPA thought about their experience click here.

Contact them on (07) 3252 8863 or go to their website at www.redplumautomotive.com.au .

Let your members know that this is a FREE service!