Big Slam Magazine - Flipbook - Page 35
Mary Fagan from Cowra
George Gall from Bathurst
George is living an amazing life. At the age of 93
he is the oldest member of the Bathurst and District Bridge Club and still has a zest for life.
He was the Treasurer of the club for 16 years until 2023, when the new constitution said he was
not allowed to stand again. However, he is still a
member of the committee.
He plays bridge at least three times a week and
at least once a fortnight plays on-line bridge on
his tablet. He is one of the club's characters.
Born in Hungary in 1930, George arrived at the
Bathurst Migrant Camp on 1 Jan 1950.
Initially he worked as a labourer in a wood yard,
then on the Menindee to Broken Hill water pipeline, preparing employees' wages.
He joined the Police Force in 1956 and became
the Detective Sergeant in charge of the Bathurst
district. He then moved his career to insurance.
George loves the Bathurst country lifestyle, it's
proximity to Sydney, and its similarity to the town
in Hungary from which he came.
George has been in Rotary, has a Police Good
Conduct Medal, and has won a Paul Harris Fellowship. He is also listed as a "Bathurst Living
Legend"
George has been playing bridge for over 30
years and he calls it a "wonderful pastime" and
says it keeps a person's mind young.
Jean Mary Fagan has been a much-loved member of the Cowra Bridge Club since its inception.
During that time, she has played countless
games of Bridge locally and away, always proficiently, always graciously.
Jean Mary was born in July 1926 and grew up in
Sydney. In 1950 she married Tony Fagan and
moved to a property at Lyndhurst where they
raised their four children.
In the early 1970's, she was 'persuaded' to take
up Bridge. Jean Mary drove to Orange each
week to learn the skills from her friend Fran Weily,
and then as she became hooked, she enrolled in
13 weeks of lessons in Orange. She later joined
the Bathurst Bridge Club and travelled from
Lyndhurst to Bathurst to play each Wednesday
evening. Around 1992, Jean Mary also travelled
to Cowra to play Bridge each Monday.
When she moved to Cowra in 1994, she joined
the Cowra Bridge Club. Her style of play has always been 'quality basic Bridge'. During this year
alone, she has been the winner on 14 occasions.
Because Cowra is a social club, partnerships
vary each week, so Jean Mary plays with all levels of players. She currently plays twice a week at
the Bridge Club, as well as twice a week socially
where she mentors newer players.
When asked what has Bridge given her, Jean
Mary replied 'a long life, mental stimulation and
many friends of all ages'.