2023 Volunteer Achievement Award

Narelle Sykes from Melba Tennis Club

Narelle has been a tireless volunteer member on the committee of the Melba Tennis Club (MTC) for the last three years. She also holds the position of booking court officer and is responsible as the first point of contact for club members and visitors who are having issues with their court bookings on the book-a-court facility.

Narelle is also responsible for the publication of the MTC’s regular newsletter, which keeps club members informed on the club’s upcoming activities, fund-raising, league competition results and other news.

Narelle constantly strives to create a positive culture within the MTC. For example, as a result of Narelle’s efforts the MTC has received funding to remove and rebuild the club’s front entrance. She also sought and received funding through the ACT Government which will enable MTC to replace the surface and fencing on court 8. This was a major application that took many hours of her time, not only in completing the submission but also in arranging for all the required quotations.

Narelle also represents MTC by volunteering with Tennis ACT when they hold tournaments and runs a very successful weekly Wednesday night social tennis event for both men and women who like to come out and have a strong hit to improve their games.

2022 Volunteer Achievement Award

Paul Trezise from Murrumbateman Tennis Club

Paul has been an active member of their tennis club and committee for over 20 years, while fulfilling multiple roles including treasurer, membership officer and junior Community Play Coordinator.

Paul been instrumental in working with their local council on the planning and delivery of club upgrade projects, including the installation of new LED lighting and the court resurfacing project. These projects have fostered relationships with the local council and many external stakeholders.

He has invested significant time and effort into the club’s junior community play initiative, which provides tennis to the local community, and encourages more kids on court.

Paul is at the heart of their club. He volunteers his time day in, and day out with so much enthusiasm and passion. By doing this, they also drive others to get involved in club activities and tasks.

2021 Volunteer Achievement Award

Terry Walker from Reid Tennis Club

Terry has been an active member of the Reid Tennis Club since 1964, and President since 2014.

During his time as President, the membership numbers have increased significantly, increasing by over 50%.

He has ensured the club is friendly, inviting and inclusive.  Terry has been the driving force behind welcoming visitors and members from diverse communities such as multicultural, Indigenous, low socio economic and people with disabilities.

Each week you will see Terry firing up the lawn mower, gardening, organising club events, applying for grants, and putting their hand up to host with Tennis ACT events, such as Open Court Sessions.

He has also been the driving force of the Tennis Australia ‘Book A Court’ and Clubspark programs. In June last year, the club had the most revenue come through the ClubSpark system in the country for court bookings and club membership.

2020 Volunteer Achievement Award

Janet Bruce from Belconnen Tennis Club

Janet has been a key figure in the development of Belconnen Tennis Club, and continues to champion positive change for the benefit of the broader community and the sport of tennis.

Janet has been a club member for 44 years, and was made a life member in 2010.

Janet’s approach to think outside the box is outstanding, and a perfect example of this was developing the ‘1 court 1 hour’ social tennis sessions. These sessions were developed after the lockdown period and is targeted towards those women with changed work conditions, such as working from home or part-time.

Janet was instrumental in developing the Women’s Tennis Network into the clubs tri-weekly social tennis sessions. Since its inception in 2018, 79 women from a diverse range of ages, cultural backgrounds and locations have participated in women’s social tennis through the Women’s Tennis Network. From one court initially, four courts are now regularly needed.  It has attracted women who otherwise would have not been engaged, or tried out tennis.

Many participants provided glowing testimonials, saying if it wasn’t for Janet they wouldn’t of got on court. Her motivation, enthusiasm and friendship has helped them play in a supportive and friendly environment.

2019 Volunteer Achievement Award

Geoff Wood from Barton Tennis Club

Geoff has been a constant and driving force behind the success of their club for over 40 years. He has been a committee member for over 14 years in various roles including Club President, Secretary and Treasurer, contributing thousands of hours over the years to his club and our sport.

No job is too big or too small, and being from a four-court club means, he often does multiple jobs and tasks at once. For years, Geoff was the sole telephone contact for all club and member enquiries.

Geoff has puts hundreds of hours into getting projects up and running including new perimeter fencing, clubhouse upgrades, installation of the Book a Court system, development of a new BBQ and pergola area, and trial of the ClubSpark platform.

With Barton transitioning its operations to electronic and web-based platforms, Geoff continued to be a point of contact for those members who may have difficulties in negotiating the changes, providing an ongoing, familiar, and friendly contact person who has provided this continuity of service over many years.

The club committee states “he is the glue that keeps the club together”.

2018 Volunteer Achievement Award

Graham Hamilton from Kippax Tennis Club

Graham was awarded the Volunteer Achievement Award. Hamilton has been involved in the clubs inception since the early 1980’s, a former president and a hard working committee member for decades.

Graham has been a part of the clubs since its inception in the early 1980s, a hard working member on the committee for decades, a former president and an active player.

Over summer Graham was down at the club everyday in the hot summer sun repairing damaged pipes and drains caused by aggressive root damage. Thanks to Graham, the club saved thousands of dollars not having to get external contractors to do the work.

Grahams greatest achievement was the refurbishment and re-surfacing of the clubs four courts which was completed in early 2017 under their leadership as President. The refurbishment consisted of new fencing and re-surfaced courts. Underpinning the success was using their skills to get people involved and engaging the community; including seeking sponsorship and funding from local businesses and lobbying with local government.

On top of the maintenance and court refurbishment, Graham regularly approaches local business for donations towards the monthly meat raffle, and sourcing volunteers to sell tickets. An initiative that contributes to over $3,500 of sponsorship funding, which directly goes back into the club and helps ensure a sustainable future.

Thanks to ANZ Graham won a trip to Australian Open 2019.

2017 Volunteer Achievement Award

Peter Breugelmans, Turner Tennis Club

Peter has made an outstanding contribution to tennis over a number of years.

He supports all initiatives to increase participation and membership, a stalwart supporter of club activities, always working hard on promotion. A volunteer at Free Tennis Days, Peter has engaged new coaches and welcomed members of the Canberra gay and lesbian community in forming Pink Tennis. Through his involvement, Turner engaged a new coach last year, coaching now offered for beginners through to cardio tennis. The latest support being the clubs upgrade to court booking system and gate entry.

A keen player, Peter has played tennis since he was a youngster and subsequently has represented his club in many seasons of pennant. He has played in the Australian seniors’ teams’ event since 1981 and participates in the Twilight competition. Since 1996, he has been Treasurer of Tennis Seniors ACT where he has overseen the financial budget for two Australian teams and individuals championships held in Canberra.

Peter has helped maintain membership levels at the club through wise counsel on membership fees and is instrumental in arranging hiring by casual users. For example, he enabled ANU Tennis Club to use club courts for a special price while their courts were out of action. They have formed personal relationships with club members, often hand delivering newsletters to receipts letterboxes and post to those without email.

Part of the Turner Tennis Club volunteer club committee since the 1970’s, Peter has has been club treasurer since 1977, diligence the word used to describe his level of dedication in up keeping their finances. He has also led the clubs grading committee, maintenance committee, been membership contact and association representative.

Apart from some stellar accounting skills, Peter has been the backbone of maintaining his clubs facilities for many years – from local government liaison, club representation at forums, collecting hire fees and up keeping booking schedules, to ordering, hauling and spreading sand on courts, painting, weeding, tree trimming, fixing toilets, lawn mowing, turning up and overseeing tradies to repair court lights, or fixing nets.