Players from the early days cut a birthday cake with president Jan Mitchell to celebrate.

Bridge was played in Batemans Bay from the early 1980s when a group of people responded to advertisements placed in the local paper.

The group played on Wednesday nights at each other’s homes and also travelled to play with Moruya players.

The first Batemans Bay bridge session held in a public place was at the CWA Hall in Batemans Bay, when it was in the old school house, on August 9 1986.

The club was affiliated with the Australian Bridge Federation the following year and bridge continued at the CWA Hall on Friday nights.

Player numbers gradually grew and by 1988 there were 10 or so tables of players.

Table fees were $2 and at the tables ash trays were provided with cask wine available by the glass for 20 cents.

A purpose-built clubhouse was opened in Orient Street, Batemans Bay in 2003 and today the club has more than 200 members and offers five bridge sessions per week as well as lessons and supervised play.