5 March 2026 | Tennis Victoria
Community connection and recycling came together at 2026 Tennis Victoria Country Week, 9-13 February, co-hosted by Shepparton and Mooroopna lawn tennis clubs, to raise funds to support regional tennis.
At the heart of the Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club is a commitment to valuing the volunteers who sustain the club. The club has now found a simple but meaningful way to give back to those volunteers, through Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic).
Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme is a recycling initiative offering a 10-cent refund for each eligible drink container returned at hundreds of refund points across Victoria
Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club recycles through the recycling scheme and the money from collected containers goes back to the club. That funding helps support what the club values most: recognising the volunteers who keep it running.
The club has typically raised around $600 per year with the scheme, with $400 raised during Country Week this year.
The funds raised through CDS Vic help the club host an annual volunteer thank‑you event, a moment to pause, acknowledge, and celebrate the people who make everything possible. It’s not just a gesture; it’s a way of reinforcing the club’s values and strengthening the community that keeps tennis alive in Shepparton.
One of the club’s most dedicated volunteers, Neil, plays a key role in making the initiative work. He regularly collects the containers and takes them to the sorting facility himself. In fact, he often tries to arrive before the cleaners so he can ensure the containers are counted on behalf of the club.
Running a club of Shepparton Lawn’s size takes enormous effort. Volunteers manage courts, maintain facilities, run competitions, and support events as big as Tennis Victoria’s Country Week. The club recognises that this work can’t be taken for granted.
By using CDS Vic to celebrate volunteers, Shepparton Lawn shows how clubs can turn a simple sustainability initiative into something that strengthens culture, connection, and nurtures positive relationships within the club environment.
“The scheme is a simple, practical way for sporting clubs to build steady, fundraising streams by integrating container collection into everyday routines,” said Matt Davis, CEO of scheme coordinator VicReturn.
“Many tennis clubs and community groups already collect containers from their members and supporters. Donating those containers through the scheme is a simple way to turn everyday recycling into real benefits for local sport,” he said.
“It’s a win for the community and a win for the environment.”
Drop off your eligible drink containers at your local tennis club to support grassroots tennis, or select your club as the payout option when returning at a CDS Vic refund point.
To learn more about Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme or find your closest refund point, visit cdsvic.org.au.
Latest
VIC