28 March 2014 | Tennis ACT

By Kris Mitchell

Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club recently held a well-attended reunion at the Campbell Street complex. Many former members attended including the Club’s Secretary from 1963, Arthur Walters.  There was plenty of opportunity for reminiscing about the glory days and many tales of epic tennis battles and social occasions were recounted.

Tennis in Queanbeyan can be traced back to the 1890s, when the then Municipal Council constructed a playing area beside the police horse paddock where the Queanbeyan Park courts now stand.

In the 1920s there were more than 50 courts including those at Christ Church, the Methodist Church, St Benedicts, St Stephens and St Gregorys. The Post Office, the Hospital, Walsh’s and Tourist Hotels also boasted courts adding to the many private courts  around town.

Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club now has 6 fully refurbished courts at 100 Campbell Street and 3 additional fully refurbished courts in Waniassa Street, opposite MacDonalds.

Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club competitions have included the O’Sullivan and Monk Medals, the W.B. Freebody Gold Cup, the Elias Southwell Cup, the Lawrence Southwell Cup and the Richard Hopman Cup.  A number of these cups and other memorabilia were on display at the Back to QPTC event as well as a number of historic photos and were viewed with great interest by those who attended.

The Club has a proud history of hard working volunteers and has a number of Life Members, two of whom were present on the day: Ken Beaman and Barry Lynch.

Current President, Andrew Schmocker presented Life Memberships to immediate Past President, Alanna Beer and immediate past Senior Vice President, Gordon Elliott in recognition of the many years of hard work both have contributed to running and furthering the Club. Andrew also presented Certificates of Achievement to a number of former Committee members: Mark Lindbeck, Steve Robinson, Sandra Wilson and Kathy Hart who had also spent years supporting the Club.

The day included tennis for many attending and it was good to see a number of players on the courts who had not been there for some time as well as current players.

Tennis ACT loaned us equipment to support the day including the inflatable Speed Server which proved popular with lots of people as well as catching the eye of many passing motorists.  The fastest speed serve was by a relative youngster, Darren Beer.

Queanbeyan Park Tennis Club is in the process of reinvigorating itself and is looking to re-engage with the broader Queanbeyan Community and encourage more people to play tennis.  We are also looking to develop junior players through our Club Coach, Bronwyn Kitchener.  Further information about the Club can be found on the website: http://www.tennis.com.au/queanbeyanparktennisclub/.