CWF another success
Central West Festival was a huge success over the weekend with 328 players in attendance from across the country and New Zealand.
Orange Mayor, Tony Mileto, opened the event on Thursday morning. Experts Peter Gill, Paul Lavings, Ella Jacob, and Will Jenner-O’Shea analysed first round play for the Pairs competition on Thursday night, and then again for the Teams competition on Saturday night.

Expert panelists Ella Jacob and Will Jenner-O’Shea
While our very own John McIlrath hosted a workshop for bridge laws on Friday.
Pairs event hotly contested
In the Pairs event there was a great turnout across the divisions, with 68 Open, 32 Intermediate, 32 Restricted and 28 Novice pairs competing.

Congratulations to the following winners:
- Open winners: Paul and Helen Lavings (Illawarra Bridge Association Incorporated)
- Intermediate winners: Ado Hardy, Derek Tyms (Peninsula Bridge Club)
- Restricted winners: Michael Jackson (Sydney Bridge Centre) and Claire Bonic (Harbour View Bridge Club)
- Novice winners: Denise Reid and Judy King (Sydney Bridge Club)

Novice winners Judy King and Denise Reid with Restricted winners Claire Bonic and Michael Jackson
Teams have all the fun
In the Teams, there were 40 Open, 12 Intermediate, 16 Restricted and 12 Novice teams competing.
Congratulations to the following winners:
- Open winners: Sue Lusk, Pauline Gumby, Warren Lazer and Bruce Neill
- Intermediate winners: Deanna and John Stuart, Atul Hajela and Chris Tough
- Restricted winners: Melissa Ardern, Kathy Duke, Shannon Queree and Connie Szenczy
- Novice winners: Jen Woodhouse, Miriam and Peter Dayhew, and Greg Brackenreg

Intermediate Teams winners Deanna and John Stuart, Atul Hajela and Chris Tough
Save the date
Missed out on the fun this year?
Save the date for next year’s CWF – 9-12 April 2026.