The website of the Australian Scrabble Players Association (Victoria) Inc.

Watch this space for the latest news and happenings in the Victorian Scrabble scene, and to find lots of information and to check on news from the past click on the links at left.
Your social reporter is Marj Miller, and to pass on any news click here mjwm@connexus.net.au

Upcoming Events:

Cranbourne ~ 7 games ~ Sunday May 27
The Victorian Championship ~ 24 games ~ Sat/Sun/Mon June 9/10/11
Queen's Birthday Tournament ~ 6 games ~ Monday June 11
Clota Cottage Fundraiser ~ 7 games ~ Sunday June 24

For full details of all tournaments click HERE

Travel Group players!

Click HERE to see the latest news on the trip to Bendigo in May

The 2012 Matchplay Standings

Andrew Fisher 3
Peter Kougi 3
Trevor Halsall 2
Norma Fisher 3
Michael Rubinstein 3
Mythili Rudra 3
Gwen Lampre 3
Lois Binnie 3
Barry Harridge 0
Dianne Gibson 1
Jenny Brysha 3
Chris Scholten 1
Lainie Mercieca 2
Oliver Podesser 2
Sandra Masel 0
Fintan Conway 0
Andrew Fisher
Lois Binnie
Norma Fisher 0
Mythili Rudra 3
Peter Kougi
Gwen Lampre
Jenny Brysha 0
Michael Rubinstein 3

The Arvo Evo International Fundraiser ~ May 6 2012


Pizza for dinner, quite nice!

Anna Palmer versus Dorothy Barraclough, with
Livia Caulfield and Rena Aitken in the background
A pleasant Sunday afternoon and evening were spent at the Box Hill Senior Citizens' Centre, with 46 players competing in two sections and enjoying pizza for dinner, as well as between-game snacks and each other's company. We welcomed Robyn Corbel on one of her regular visits from sunny Queensland, and also welcomed back Alan Milne who had played his only tournament in April last year, good to see you both again.
In Division A Jimmy Scarff was in fine form, sweeping all before him to win all six games ahead of Katie Rowe second on five wins, with Geoff Wright third on four wins. Carol Johnsen presented Geoff with his 3000-game badge, a brilliant achievement, Geoff, and we look forward to seeing you at many more tournaments on your way to your next milestone. The High Game Award also went to Geoff for a score of 539, and Barry Harridge scored 104 for EXPANSES to achieve the High Word Award.
Division B saw Anna Palmer place first on 5 wins, ahead on margin of Dieter Jedamski and Rob York, both also on 5 wins - a hard fought battle to come out on top. Anna also received the Award for the High Game for a score of 504, and the High Word Award was claimed by Glenys Dettmann who played SQUIRTER for 118 points.
Excellent rating gains on the day were achieved by Katie Rowe +58, Jimmy Scarff + 49, Dianne Gibson +35, and Anna Palmer + 30. Well done to everyone on your great achievements.
Thanks to all who helped on the day - Norma Fisher, Barry Harridge (and for some of the pics), Carol Johnsen and Rob York, and apologies to all those I've forgotten to mention - your help is always appreciated.

Division A: Barry Harridge, Katie Rowe &
Geoff Wright
Division B: Back - Rob York, Dieter Jedamski &
Glenys Dettmann, with Anna Palmer in front
President Carol Johnsen with Geoff Wright, who
received a badge marking 3000 games played

New South Wales wins the Tri-State challenge!


Carol Johnsen with Garth van Vliet, studying
the intricacies of the Director! program

Arie Holla and Jan Serisier, both from N.S.W
discuss the state of play.

Liz Jackman from N.S.W. with Carmel Doney
from Victoria
The A.C.T. placed second, with Victoria trailing behind - here is the breakdown of wins, calculated on games played between the different states: NSW - 52.1%, ACT 51.5%, VIC - 47.4%, a close contest indeed. Bob Jackman (NSW) won the individul contest, with ten wins from ten games played. Tim Reddan (ACT) placed second, with Carmel Doney (VIC) third.
Thanks to Bob Jackman, Carol Johnsen and Tim Reddan for organising and acting as team leaders, and Norm Byng for arranging everything so well in Wagga Wagga - the Senior Cits was a very pleasant venue, and the snacks supplied by the ex-president of the Centre, Jean, were much appreciated. Also thanks for the pics, Bob. Rumour has it that we may be back there again in twelve months time, travelling from both Sydney and Melbourne on the XPT, and from the A.C.T by road.

2012 Matchplay ~ Kickoff Tournament April 22


During Game 7 - at left, Trevor Halsall
versus Geoff Wright. At right, Carmel
Doney v Dianne Gibson Click to enlarge
Prize winners in the Kickoff - Andrew Fisher,
Sandra Masel, Peter Kougi, Michael
Rubinstein, Geoff Wright
At the end of the day - computer operator
Lalitha Sundaresan, with Mythili Rudra
and Barry Harridge

Visitor Aaron Chong
Thanks to Organiser Peter Kougi for the following report:
Forty-six took part in the 6th Victorian Matchplay qualifier event on a sunny autumn Sunday. Andrew Fisher triumphed, winning 7 out of 8. His only loss came at the hands Geoff Wright (who finished 3rd) in a low-scoring encounter. Peter Kougi gained back a few rating points lost at the Nationals by finishing 2nd. Carmel Doney and Sandra Masel both had good tournaments, taking out the 1450 and 1250 rating band prizes respectively. Several players achieved solid ratings gains, notably Fintan Conway +57, Sandra Masel +54, Stephanie Saunders +46 and Lainie Mercieca +45. Lainie noted that this tournament effectively marked her 1-year anniversary of competitive Scrabble, and she made it a memorable one by defeating the current Malaysian number 1 Aaron Chong, who was playing just his second Australian tournament.
Some fine words observed on the day were: POLITICO, ACERBITY and ROTOTILL by Andrew (ROTOTILL gained notoriety after it was played by Paul Cleary at the 2005 WSC), TSARITSA by Angie Pearse, and CALLOWER by Trevor Halsall. Norma did a fantastic job making sure players were well fed, and Lalitha operated the computer with her usual efficiency. Thanks to everyone who helped run this tournament. The fixture for the knockout phase has been devised and qualifiers have been notified, and results will be bought to you as the matches are completed.
For the full results of the Kickoff event click HERE

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The Nationals and Plate in Hobart, Easter 2012


The Victorian contingent, on the steps
of Hellenic House in North Hobart
Click photo to enlarge

The winners. Back: John Salmon, Andrew
Fisher, Pam Thomas, Richard Jeremy, Alastair
Richards, Chris May, Anne Drew. Front: Caroline
Scowcroft, Glen Chandler, Norma Fisher, Tim
Mason, Esther Perrins, Margaret Bishop
Click photo to enlarge
A total of 127 players took part in these two events, aided by the services of three standby players from the host state, Tasmania. Thanks to Sylvia, Cherelle, and Cecilia for helping all players to avoid byes, adding to the overall enjoyment of the tournament. The Tasmanian Committee and members, under the leadership of President Alan Mathews, had worked long and hard to stage an interesting and very well-run event, and the hard work paid off handsomely - we were well fed, well watered, and left in no doubt about who we were to play next, and where, under the expert guidance of Tournament Director Wilma Vialle and Webmaster Barry Harridge. Thank you to all concerned for your wonderful efforts, they were greatly appreciated.
After many ups and downs over the final day, with the lead alternating between Alastair Richards (Qld) and Andrew Fisher (Vic) at different stages, there were three possible winners going in to Round 24 - Alastair and Esther Perrins (NSW) both on 17 wins, with Andrew on 17.5 wins - he and Chris May (NSW) had played a very tight drawn game in Round 19 to give Andrew the half game advantage - here's the board.


As it happened Esther lost to Joanne Craig (NSW) to drop to fourth place, Richard Jeremy (ACT) moved up to take third place after defeating Cameron Farlow (Qld), Alastair won against Rod Talbot (NSW) to secure second place, and a rather surprised (so he said!) Andrew Fisher defeated John Hamilton (ACT) to take out the title of Australian Champion for 2012, his third win in this event - a great record indeed, Andrew, and well deserved.

The Champion,
Andrew Fisher

The Plate Winner,
Janine Whittaker
Fifth place was filled by Chris May, with Norma Fisher (Vic) collecting the High Game award for a great score of 619, and Anne Drew (Qld) recording a brilliant 203 points for playing EXUDATES to win the High Word award.
The outcome was much more clear cut in the Plate, limited to players rated below 1250 prior to the event - but do not for a moment think that the competition is any less fierce than that in the Championship! First place went to Janine Whittaker (NSW) on 18 wins, a wonderful effort and two games clear of Margaret Berliner also from NSW, with John Salmon from WA in third place. Fourth and fifth places were filled by La'Reine Lang (NSW) and Margaret Bishop (Tas) respectively. The High Game award went to Glen Chandler (Vic) for a score of 543, and the High Word award was won by Pam Thomas (Tas) for playing EQUATOR for 129 points.
Excellent ratings gains in the Plate were recorded by La'Raine Lang (NSW) +133, Vonnie Farlow (Qld) +110, and whiz kid Tim Mason from WA who received a rotating board from World Youth Chair Karen Richards for the highest rating gain by a junior player, +100. Well done, Tim. In the Championship outstanding ratings gains were achieved by Caroline Scowcroft (ACT) +120, and third placed Richard Jeremy and Jane Brown (Qld) who each gained 101 points, well deserved rewards for all.

Tas Pres Alan Mathews, 2012 Champ
Andrew Fisher & retiring CASPA
Coordinator Carol Johnsen
At the presentation dinner -
Marisa Nuccitelli, Beryl Bourne &
Dianne Gibson

Paul and Karen Richards (WESPA
Youth Chair) with Cameron & Vonnie
Farlow from Queensland
A good time was had by all -
Victorian players Sandra Masel
& Patricia Mitchell

Dorothy Barraclough, Carol Johnsen
& Norma Fisher

Glen Chandler, delighted with her
High Game award in the Plate

Mum and Daughter Rena Aitken &
Jenny Brysha with Marj Miller

Peter Kougi & Mythili Rudra with
the Champ Andrew Fisher
The tournament was followed by a dinner and presentation evening in the Merino Room at the Old Woolstore Hotel on MacQuarie Street, and this was attended by about 90 players, all of whom enjoyed the buffet meal and very pleasant social atmosphere. The trophies consisted of various interesting products beautifully crafted from Tasmanian timbers, and were appreciated by the recipients - as well as the generous cash prizes awarded!

Hard working Tournament Director
Professor Wilma Vialle

Our web guru Barry Harridge, busy
keeping those at home up to date

Keri Heart, official photographer,
with Lorraine Thomas

Cameron Farlow plays Heather Long,
with Peter Bauer & Ram Mohe

Cheah Siu Hean congratulates the victor
Anand Bharadwaj on his fine play

Game One - Tony Hunt, Bob Jackman,
Nick Ivanovski & Marj Miller
Thanks to Barry Harridge for some of the pics - Barry's complete album can be viewed HERE at his Shutterfly account.
Click HERE to visit the mini website which Barry set up for his continuing updates during the event, and there is a tab to take you to some of tech-savvy Nick Ivanovski's Twitter posts, and to some of the boards posted by Nick on Instagram. Thanks for the additional coverage, Nick, it's undoubtedly the way of the future and hopefully will be utilised more at our Victorian Championship in June.
Thanks again to Tasmania for hosting so well in 2012, it was great. Many players are already looking forward to visiting Queensland's Gold Coast for these prestigious events in 2013!
Lastly, to view the full results of both the Championship and the Plate on the National website click HERE

Vale Theresa Scicluna ~ March 27 2012


Theresa in 2011

Theresa with some of her Essendon Club friends,
Cynthia Cook, Lina Camilleri & Gianna Devcic
It was with sadness that the Essendon Club members heard of the passing of their loyal Club member and friend - many did not know until the club convened for its regular Tuesday night meeting that Theresa was gone, and were stunned and saddened by the news. Theresa had assisted with the running of the Club for many years and in many ways, including opening up on Club night on a regular basis. Harry Malcolm fondly recalls that Theresa was his opponent in his first Club game, and after she politely whipped his tail her friends Cynthia and Janet proceeded to do the same. Luckily for Harry the supper more than compensated for his lack of wins on the night, and he and Theresa often joked about his first club experience, the basis for an enduring friendship, one of many formed by Theresa and her fellow Scrabblers.
Theresa played her last tournaments in January - the Aestival and Ballarat Summer events - and following this fought a short battle with cancer. Theresa is succeeded by her children Tony and Jenny, daughter-in-law Debby and son-in-law Charlie and her much-loved grandchildren Ashley, Andrew, Elyse and Emily.
Rest in peace, Theresa, your Scrabble friends will miss you.

Coming up - the Nationals in Tasmania!


Chris May
2011 Champ

Dianne Gibson
Radio Star
Many of our Victorian players have made plans to attend the annual Australian Scrabble Championship in Hobart over Easter, travelling by plane or ferry. Dianne Gibson took part in a radio interview with Red Symons on ABC 774 this morning (March 28) and gave some much-needed publicity to this upcoming prestigious event. Participants will play in either the Championship division or the Plate, and all will play 24 games, culminating in a Celebration Dinner on Easter Monday evening. Apart from the competition it is a great social experience, giving players from all states the chance to catch up on old friendships and forge new ones. As always rivalry will be fierce, and best wishes to all who take part - last year's winner was Chris May from New South Wales, and it will be interesting to see who takes out the Championship this year, and the equally hard-fought Plate title. Good luck to all, we hope it is an enjoyable experience!

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