Carlton Croquet Club - History

Carlton Croquet Club began in the garden of a private residence in Carlton Gore Rd, Auckland,
where croquet parties & cucumber sandwiches were the order of the day.

The Club was then officially formed on 10th November 1909, leasing lawns from the Carlton Bowling Club, on Fairfax Rd, adjacent to the railway yards in Newmarket.
When the Railways Department required re-possession of the site, the members decided to look for suitable land to establish their own club.
After some years of searching, a former tennis club site was purchased at the current location of 333 Manukau Road.  The purchase made possible through the generosity of small loans from club members & a donation from the Carlton Bowling Club.

The new lawns were opened in 1925 by the first president, Mrs M Laurie.
Initially one acre of land was purchased with a further 40 feet being added 12 months later.  In 1926 the club pavilion was built, and at the official opening 250 guests from other clubs attended & were entertained.

In 2011, the clubrooms were refurbished with the addition of a new kitchen, new toilet facilities & a new mallet room area.

Carlton Croquet Club is one of the few croquet clubs in New Zealand that owns its own land, thanks to the foresight & generosity of earlier & past members.

Over the years, the names of Carlton representatives have featured a number of times on the various Auckland Croquet Association shields & cups.
We remember especially Miss Elizabeth Heatley, a National & Dominion player, who was the only woman to win the “English Gold Medal” in 1939 and was club champion for 12 years.

During WW1, members helped out with various fund-raising activities and in 1915 the Mayoress of Auckland sent a thank you letter to Carlton in recognition of the club's past & continued assistance, in the form of donations towards the purchase of waistcoats for “our boys at the front”.

The Club celebrated it’s 100 year centenary on Sunday, 15th November 2009, with an 'Alice-in-Wonderland' Themed Tea Party, attended by representatives from Croquet NZ & Croquet Auckland; current members, past members, players from other clubs & special guest, Deputy Mayor David Hay.
Guests were entertained with a delightful sketch performed by the 'Alice-in-Wonderland' Troupe, a fancy dress parade, a musical item “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” performed by the current club members; all followed by the warm hospitality of one of Carlton’s delicious afternoon teas.

Today, the club currently has approximately 45 members who continue to enjoy the four lawns & well-maintained facilities.
Traditions & hospitality set-in-place by Carlton's predecessors continue to the present day

Photo - Sunday 15 November 2009
100th Centenary Celebrations with an Alice in Wonderland Themed Tea Party
organised by Carlton Croquet Club's then President, Deirdre Rogers