Sport and recreation
Book club
The Bar Book Club is an opportunity to get together with your colleagues and discuss classic and contemporary literature over some light refreshments. The members meet every five or six weeks at 5.30pm in the Bar Association Library. Each book is selected by the members and details of titles and meeting dates are circulated via InBrief. Contact Simon Kalfas SC or Lisa Allen for more information.
Chess
Chess playing barristers (and judges) meet annually to compete against a solicitors’ team in the Terry Shaw Memorial Shield chess match. It is usually played in November commencing at 6.00pm. Any members wishing to play should contact the team captain Rob Colquhoun via email: rob.colquhoun@bigpond.com. All standards of play are accommodated.
Cricket
The collegiate initiative between two close friends and distinguished lawyers, Ian Callinan QC and Roger Gyles QC was the catalyst for what has become the 40 year tradition of an annual cricket match between the NSW and Queensland Bars. Lachlan Gyles SC has captained the NSW Bar side for many years and Nick Bilinsky currently has responsibility for organising the NSW team and making the arrangements with our Queensland counterparts. The matches alternate between Brisbane and Sydney. The last time the two teams played was in Brisbane, when NSW was successful. The NSW team on that occasion included a number of new barristers who had recently come to the Bar. More are welcome to join and experience the terrific camaraderie that has developed between the players over many years. For those who might be interested, contact Nick Bilinsky (12th Floor Wentworth Chambers): nick.bilinsky@12thfloor.com.au
cycling
Gyms
Members of the Bar Association can take advantage of the latest offer from Fitness First and the ABA Member Benefits Scheme. Fitness First is offering $0 start-up fee for the month of September and ongoing 10% off the standard membership rates available to the public on 12 or 18 month passport, Platinum & Black label memberships plans.
As well, members of the Bar Association can receive 15% off their membership with Goodlife Health Clubs. Whether you want to work out in the gym, train with a fitness professional or get moving in a Group Fitness class, Goodlife can help you achieve your health and fitness goals (Terms and conditions apply). You can find a Goodlife Health Club in Level 4, No 1 Martin Place and Level 6, Westfield Parramatta.
Knitting
The Bar Knitting Group is a multidisciplinary group of barristers (and some judges and associates) who love all things handcrafted. We meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month (except January) at 5.30pm in the Bar Library. Light refreshments are provided. Participants should bring their latest project or just an enquiring mind. We can arrange to teach you to knit/crochet if you’d like! For more information contact our knitter in chief, Michelle Painter SC at mpainter@selbornechambers.com.au.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness meditation is offered every Wednesday from 1.20pm to 2pm, at Frederick Jordan Chambers. To register and be let up to the room, please contact clerk@fjc.net.au, 9229 7377. For more information please contact Theresa Baw via email: tbaw@fjc.net.au. Classes are obligation free, and beginners through to experienced meditators are welcome.
Music
The NSW Lawyers Orchestra is open to all musicians in the legal field across NSW. It has two concerts a year, in June and November. For more information you can check them out on Facebook or contact the general manager Sarah Haddad (Frederick Jordan Chambers) by email: shaddad@fjc.net.au.
Outdoor fitness
Running
City to Surf The NSW Bar typically fields a team in the annual City 2 Surf foot race. The race is 14km in distance starting from the intersection of Park and College Sts in Sydney¹s CBD and finishes at Bondi Beach. Daily Brief provides timely and frequent advertisements for would be participants.
Soccer
The NSW Bar Football Club (NSW Bar FC) is open to barristers, members of the judiciary, clerks and employees of the Bar Association regardless of gender, level of ability or fitness. It currently boasts over 80 members drawn from diverse practice areas. NSW Bar FC competes in the Domain Soccer League which is held at lunchtime (usually 1.15 pm) on the field atop the Domain Carpark. The season usually runs from April to July. There are also interstate matches. If you would like to join the Club and/or support your FC please contact the manager, David Stanton ( d.stanton@mauricebyers.com; 8233 0345) or Anthony Lo Surdo SC ( losurdo@12thfloor.com.au; 9223 3181).
Tennis
The available spots for the Annual Tennis Day in December are filled quite quickly. Experience with the vagaries of practising and playing in December suggests that some players will withdraw from playing, so some space might become available. If you would like to place your name on the reserves list, please let Richard Lancaster know, preferably by email to jennifer.campbell@stjames.net.au. As with the registration of players to date, this will be done on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yachting
First run in 1983, the annual Great Bar Boat Race is one of the great institutions of the New South Wales Bar. In 2016 the 33rd GBBR became an invitational challenge, with solicitors entering into friendly competition with the bench and bar. The 34th Great Bar Boat Race will be on Monday, 18 December 2017. Learn more here.
Yoga
Yoga classes at the New South Wales Bar Association are held on Wednesdays at 1.00pm in the Common Room around the scheduled Bar Practice Courses. The classes can be attended casually ($25 p/class) or by a term booking ($200 per 10 week term). We aim to run the class on a regular basis, although at times with busy schedules there may be the occasional reschedule. Please contact Jolie with any questions & to receive further information via mobile: 0414 092 502. All levels from complete beginner to experienced yogis are welcomed!
Surfing
The Australasian Lawyers Surfing Association (“ALSA”) welcomes membership applications from all lawyers with all surfing related interests. From time to time ALSA organises social events for its members and their families. One such event is the annual Sydney Surf-a-Bout held each year in December. It’s a fun family day with surfing comps for all categories. ALSA since 2011 has entered a team in the annual Surfaid Comp held on the Northern Beaches of Sydney. This is a fund raising surf event and all ALSA members are invited to contribute and join in the fun. Details of this event will be sent out to all members when they become available. ALSA also holds an annual CLE. For the past few years it has been held at Latitude Zero in Sumatra’s Telos Islands.
Further information can be obtained at http://www.surfinglawyers.com.au/
Skiing
LAWSKI has been held annually in Thredbo since 1990. The LAWSKI Race is open to all lawyers, paralegals, barristers and judicial officers. For more information see www.lawski.com.au or contact info@lawski.com.au