VICTORIA PARK TENNIS CLUB INC. Adeney Avenue, Kew 2008
The Early Days The courts now used by Victoria Park Tennis Club were constructed and used well before the commencement of WW II in 1939. Probably they were used as far back as the 1920s or earlier. Betty Caldwell s husband Max, after return from WW II, played some Saturday afternoon social tennis with members of the East Kew Methodist Church there in late 1946~early 47. The courts were owned by Kew City Council and apparently not allocated to any particular club; they were for the use of any of the residents of Kew, free of charge. We know that the courts were asphalt and the existing clubhouse was in place before 1939. An entry in a notebook of Alan Sinclair is headed Committee 1981. It lists the following:- Campbell Huntly Ben Smith Barry? Ken Trounce Frazer McAuley Dan Boser Phyllis Denny Betty Gardiner In the mid to late 1990s an elderly female resident of Adeney Avenue came to the courts one Saturday afternoon and told some of the Victoria Park members that the clubhouse was in fact originally a tram shelter. It was located at the horse-drawn tram terminus stop in High St, Kew, roughly opposite the main entrance to Boroondara Cemetery. Apparently the shelter was moved at about the time the electric trams replaced the horse- drawn trams. The Kew RSL Tennis Club was formed in April 1946, members initially playing at the rear of Kew Bowling Club in the Kew Recreational Area. In 1960, Mr W D Vaughan, a former mayor of Kew, wrote a book entitled Kew s Civic Centenary (with a generous foreword by one R G Menzies) as part of the City of Kew s centenary celebration. In that book Mr Vaughan states that the Kew City Council facilitated the transfer of the RSL Tennis Club to Victoria Park, as the courts were vacant at that time. The date of the transfer to Victoria Park by the RSL cannot be ascertained exactly, but Victoria Park ex-member Alan Sinclair advised that it would have been the late 1940s, say 1948~49. Alan Sinclair was an active member and committee member of the RSL Tennis Club, but he did not play there until 1953 or 1954: he had lived in Brighton until then. Mr Vaughan also states that when the transfer was effected, the courts were still asphalt but were converted to en tous cas in 1972. These people were later identities of Victoria Park Club, although all had also been members of the Kew RSL Club. A Change Of Name And New Beginnings It is difficult to be certain about the progress of the Club through the 1970s and early 80s. The December 1975 RSL newsletter stated that Alan Sinclair had advised that the RSL Tennis Club was full (presumably the list was full, not the members!). However, the June 1977 newsletter states that a committee meeting (of the RSL sub-branch itself) was informed by a member that it was expected that a letter would be received from the Kew City council requesting release of a court. No explanation or further action can be discovered, but it would appear that membership was falling, leading to the potential for the Club to disintegrate altogether. 1 2
Recommendation Despite this, several members of a club situated in Balwyn Road transferred to the Kew RSL Club. Their courts, which were approximately opposite Gordon Street, were to be converted to a housing development. Heath Wells was one of these players, but he cannot remember when the move took place. Nevertheless, it appears that with declining numbers of members with RSL affiliation, the Club drifted into an informal liaison, and ultimately had very few RSL members. Consequently, the contemporary members decided to re-name the club Victoria Park Tennis Club (VPTC). They elected a committee and formalised the arrangement with the City of Kew in 1983. At the monthly meeting of Kew City Council on 7 June, 1983 the following was recorded. Victoria Park Tennis Club The committee considered a report by the Municipal Recreation Officer regarding a proposal by the Kew RSL Tennis Club to change its official title to the Victoria Park Tennis Club in an effort to attract new and younger members. That Council endorse the change of name of the Kew RSL Tennis Club to that of Victoria Park Tennis Club. Heath Wells, Laura Younger, Jack Willoughby and Joan Simms were some of the foundation members of the new club. Other members were also RSL members, some of whom are now deceased. They included Ron Simpson, Phyllis Denny, Aub Greenlaw and Betty Gardiner. It appears that Heath Wells may have been Foundation President of the new club, but this cannot be confirmed. In October 1983 the club was registered as an incorporated association, following the introduction of relevant legislation in 1981. At that stage Benjamin Frederick Smith was the secretary of the club, and he also became the first Public Officer of the club. The Club s Public Officers have been : 15-10-1983 B F (Ben) Smith 2-2-1987 R S (Bob) McMeekin 9-2-1988 C H (Heath) Wells 9-2-1989 L J (Laura) Younger 6-2-1993 J J ( Jack) Willoughby 5-2-1997 l R (Lance) Hart 7-2-2007 R A (Bob) Leschen On 7 February 1990 the club combined the positions of Secretary and Treasurer. Laura Younger was the original incumbent of the joint position. 3 4
In The New Century Saturday afternoon was the major day of tennis for the (mainly male) players of the club, but from very early in the club s existence other groups of players played social tennis on the following days: Monday morning - Ladies only Tuesday morning Mixed Wednesday afternoon - Mixed Thursday Coaching Friday morning Seniors Saturday afternoon Mixed social For the past decade or so, the club has been blessed with a strong and capable executive. Lance Hart, President since 2003, was ably assisted by Bob Leschen in the dual role of Secretary/Treasurer, also since 2003. In 2004, President Lance Hart, Betty Caldwell and Tennis Victoria combined to conduct a drive for senior players. Several new members joined and at about the same time negotiations with Wayne Askwith resulted in his appointment as coach of Victoria Park Tennis Club. Since then, the club has grown to have in excess of 80 members. In addition, Coach Wayne Askwith conducts coaching lessons for school children on selected afternoons, so that the courts are now used quite extensively throughout each week. In 2007, Wayne arranged for a group of four young girls to participate in the North Eastern Junior Tennis Association Winter Competition. They performed very well, being only narrowly beaten in the Final: a great start for this new activity within VPTC. This photo was taken on 19 March 1982 and shows in the back row, Mardi in black, Laura Younger, Phil Denny, and Margaret Fookes. In the front row are Dawn Cameron, Val Brassey, Betty Caldwell, and Marj Hudson. 5 6
Clubhouse Reborn Another major project was the refurbishment of the heritage listed clubhouse by Boroondara City Council, driven by the energy of Lance Hart and John Douglas. Included in this work were some minor modifications allowing increased light to enter the building, new cupboards, seats, sink and related facilities. The structure was placed on a new concrete base, which not only overcame the previous subsidence and lean of the building, but also improved its ability to avoid flooding in the future. The work, at a cost to Council of about $80 000, is part of the draft concept Master Plan of 1996 for Victoria Park. Every Cloud has a Silver Lining (even if little rain) Victoria s continuing drought over several years has led to severe water restrictions. These have forced a complete rethink of court surface management at VPTC (and the adjacent Kew Tennis Club). From early 2007, only half of the club s en tout cas courts could be watered and consequently used safely at any time. The surface began to disintegrate at a rapid rate. It became apparent that with the likelihood of continuing drought, en tout cas courts would not satisfy the club s needs into the future. Following presentations first to the committee, then to members at a Special General Meeting, it was agreed to proceed with a series of major changes designed to serve these future needs. These changes, made in partnership with the Kew Tennis Club, include removing the en tout cas surface and replacing it with sand-filled synthetic grass, installing lights over our two courts to match those on the adjacent Kew Tennis Club courts, and renewing the common and boundary fences where required. The cost to VPTC, about $100 000, is being financed by federal, state and local government grants, reserves built up within the club, and a loan of $53 000 with the community Bendigo Bank in East Kew. Members have also responded very positively to these initiatives, agreeing to an increase in annual subscriptions from $70 to $130. Refurbished club house, 2007 Refurbished club house, 2007 While of small size, the clubhouse serves the informal needs of club members well. It should be added that consideration is being given to erecting an adjacent structure which can be used to accommodate small children safely, while older family members play tennis. It will also provide shelter for players between matches at night. Now in the middle of 2008 we have new facilities throughout; courts, fences, and clubhouse. These are attractive to local residents, who are joining the club in increasing numbers. Family membership has been introduced, and other initiatives include a second Seniors Program on Wednesdays, and a Young Mothers Program on Thursdays. When the new lights are functioning, men and women s competition tennis will also be introduced. Plans are under way to increase membership to around 140 to fully utilise the new facilities, day and night. 7 8
Changing Of The Guard The year 2007/2008 will go down as a momentous period in VPTC s history. After ten years of exemplary service across every area of the club s activities, President Lance Hart stepped down at the 2008 Annual General Meeting to well-deserved applause. Foundation club member and committee member for several years, Joan Simms who has made a wonderful contribution over five decades, also announced her retirement, again receiving well- deserved applause. With more new members in the club, the committee now includes a number of new members, including President David Anderson, who interestingly was first a member thirty years ago. We wish David and his team every success as they guide the club into a new era. Acknowledgements Max Caldwell, a long time member of the club, undertook research to produce much of the early record of development, and wrote much of the story. Lance Hart and Bob Leschen added much of the more recent record of activity. Kath Gibson assisted with editing, and Tara Kain developed the graphic design. Victoria Park Tennis Club wishes to recognise and thank these people for the dedication and time given to produce this historical record. We also wish to acknowledge the many past members and office bearers who have preserved our ability to enjoy playing tennis at Victoria Park. And finally. David Anderson, President. Victoria Park Tennis Club has come a long way in recent years with some changes forced upon members by the Victorian drought. Strangely it is one time when an ill wind would appear to have blown some good! We look forward to the future of this charming small club with enthusiasm and confidence. It is expected that by 2009 there will be a hive of tennis activity, with members not only participating in the time-honoured relaxed social tennis, but also with families playing tennis together. At night, the courts will be ablaze with lights, catering for a whole range of players and activities, including both social and competition tennis. 9 10