Club History
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JULY 1953 - As Strathmore was still a fairly young community, there were few facilities for the
people of the neighbourhood to enjoy. There was no bowling club and no kindergarten. And
people wishing to play tennis had to travel to other areas. Fortunately, there were some very active
members of the community who saw the wisdom in establishing a tennis club. Thus, in 1953,
courts 1, 2 and 3 and surrounding fencing were built. This involved a substantial amount of
volunteer labour by our foundation members, at a cost of approximately 1,000 Pounds each. This
was the beginning of a very social and popular tennis club.
1955 - The first NSTA Pennant was won by D Special.
1965 - Sunday 21st February was the official opening of our clubhouse, replacing the old tin
shed, which was located where court 4 stands today. There were 200 guests at the official
opening. This massive achievement was due to the dedication of many members, some of
whom loaned the club funds in a form of debenture, to be repaid over a period of 5 years.
The Building Committee, comprising of Frank McBain, Neville Brown, Neil Watt, Trevor Irwin, Ian
Johnson, Ron Hines and Barry Rule (advisor and architect), spent an enormous amount of time in
the preparation and organisation in reaching the stage of financing and finally the construction of
our clubhouse.
The same year, the NSLTA and NSJTA won their first pennants.
1966 - The construction of courts 4 and 5 were completed. With council assistance, the same
group of members were able to achieve this at a cost of 1,800 Pounds each. The club's
membership grew to 264 in total.
1971/72 - Honour Boards were purchased and alterations were made to the entrance door.
1972/73 - The complete re-lining of courts 1, 2 and 3 plus the overhaul of the bore were
undertaken. Levelling of the area in front of the clubhouse took place and bluestone pitchers were
laid. Final repayment of all the club's debentures was made.
1976/77 - An additional court was discussed. Council members were awaiting developments
regarding annexation of Strathmore from the City of Broadmeadows to the City of Essendon
before considering new tennis facilities. The club was also pursuing the possibility of siting the
courts at the far side of the bowling club.
1978/79 - Lighting on courts 1, 2 and 3 was installed, which expanded the use of the courts and
club facilities. The annexure of Strathmore from the City of Broadmeadows to the City of
Essendon was underway and complete by 1979.
1979/80 - Resurfacing of all courts was conducted.
1985/86 - Numerous capital works were conducted around the clubhouse and surrounds. The
Incorporation of the club was underway, being granted on 3rd July 1986.
1990/91 - New lights were installed on court 4
1991/92 - Courts 1, 2 and 3 were resurfaced and the lights were also upgraded on these courts.
New drainage was also installed.
1992/93 - Repairs were made to all courts due to flood damage in December 1992 and January
1993. Drainage problems were also rectified. The top car park was sealed and the clubhouse
was repainted.
1994/95 - Coin-operated court light meters were installed. Courts 4 and 5 were resurfaced with
mod-grass in March 1995.
2007 - Bore water used to water courts due to severe drought conditions. Installing a rain water
tank is also currently under consideration.
**************************************************
Many other projects have been completed around the club over the years, such as tree planting,
seating, painting, fencing safety rails, BBQ, etc. These works do not occur on their own - they are
achieved thanks to the generosity of voluntary work conducted by the unsung heros of the club.
These people strive to make our facilities enjoyable for everyone.... THANK YOU for your efforts!
people of the neighbourhood to enjoy. There was no bowling club and no kindergarten. And
people wishing to play tennis had to travel to other areas. Fortunately, there were some very active
members of the community who saw the wisdom in establishing a tennis club. Thus, in 1953,
courts 1, 2 and 3 and surrounding fencing were built. This involved a substantial amount of
volunteer labour by our foundation members, at a cost of approximately 1,000 Pounds each. This
was the beginning of a very social and popular tennis club.
1955 - The first NSTA Pennant was won by D Special.
1965 - Sunday 21st February was the official opening of our clubhouse, replacing the old tin
shed, which was located where court 4 stands today. There were 200 guests at the official
opening. This massive achievement was due to the dedication of many members, some of
whom loaned the club funds in a form of debenture, to be repaid over a period of 5 years.
The Building Committee, comprising of Frank McBain, Neville Brown, Neil Watt, Trevor Irwin, Ian
Johnson, Ron Hines and Barry Rule (advisor and architect), spent an enormous amount of time in
the preparation and organisation in reaching the stage of financing and finally the construction of
our clubhouse.
The same year, the NSLTA and NSJTA won their first pennants.
1966 - The construction of courts 4 and 5 were completed. With council assistance, the same
group of members were able to achieve this at a cost of 1,800 Pounds each. The club's
membership grew to 264 in total.
1971/72 - Honour Boards were purchased and alterations were made to the entrance door.
1972/73 - The complete re-lining of courts 1, 2 and 3 plus the overhaul of the bore were
undertaken. Levelling of the area in front of the clubhouse took place and bluestone pitchers were
laid. Final repayment of all the club's debentures was made.
1976/77 - An additional court was discussed. Council members were awaiting developments
regarding annexation of Strathmore from the City of Broadmeadows to the City of Essendon
before considering new tennis facilities. The club was also pursuing the possibility of siting the
courts at the far side of the bowling club.
1978/79 - Lighting on courts 1, 2 and 3 was installed, which expanded the use of the courts and
club facilities. The annexure of Strathmore from the City of Broadmeadows to the City of
Essendon was underway and complete by 1979.
1979/80 - Resurfacing of all courts was conducted.
1985/86 - Numerous capital works were conducted around the clubhouse and surrounds. The
Incorporation of the club was underway, being granted on 3rd July 1986.
1990/91 - New lights were installed on court 4
1991/92 - Courts 1, 2 and 3 were resurfaced and the lights were also upgraded on these courts.
New drainage was also installed.
1992/93 - Repairs were made to all courts due to flood damage in December 1992 and January
1993. Drainage problems were also rectified. The top car park was sealed and the clubhouse
was repainted.
1994/95 - Coin-operated court light meters were installed. Courts 4 and 5 were resurfaced with
mod-grass in March 1995.
2007 - Bore water used to water courts due to severe drought conditions. Installing a rain water
tank is also currently under consideration.
**************************************************
Many other projects have been completed around the club over the years, such as tree planting,
seating, painting, fencing safety rails, BBQ, etc. These works do not occur on their own - they are
achieved thanks to the generosity of voluntary work conducted by the unsung heros of the club.
These people strive to make our facilities enjoyable for everyone.... THANK YOU for your efforts!