At the Start

The origin of the Melba Tennis Club stemmed from an application put forward to the National Capital Development Commission (NCDC) - the department at the time responsible for the planning of Canberra by Colin Mason who had just returned from England and settled in the area.

The NCDC responded that they would support the development of the club provided that community interest could be substantiated. They stipulated that this requirement would be satisfied if 100 people contributed $2.00 each towards the project.

A meeting was held at the Melba Hall with well over 100 people attending to support the proposal for a new club.

The Melba Tennis Club was built and was officially opened by Senator J. W. Knight on the 18 September 1976 . At that time the club consisted of only a club house with 4 decomposed granite courts.

The first committee members were:

• President - Dr Roy Green

• Vice President - Colin Mason

• Treasurer - David Coutts

Further Development

Over the years the Melba Tennis Club has undergone numerous stages of expansion and improvements, most notably doubling in size from a 4 court to an 8 court complex. Later, in 2014, four Hot Shots courts were added to the complex.

The expansion of the Melba Tennis Club has been largely dependent on funds raised by the club and on voluntary labour provided by members. Most of the improvements such as the installation of court lighting, landscaping and renovations to the club house have largely resulted from this voluntary labour. With the on-going maintenance of the facilities over the years, volunteer members have contributed significantly towards the Melba Tennis Club becoming a self-reliant family orientated club.

In 2023, Melba Tennis Club underwent a series of transformative upgrades that have ushered our facilities into a new era of excellence. A significant milestone was reached as all eight of our tennis courts are now surfaced with synthetic grass, providing an optimal playing surface for our members and visitors. Among these enhancements, court 8 stands out as the latest to undergo this impressive conversion.

After 47 years of dedicated service, our club proudly has a brand-new front entrance that not only enhances our aesthetic appeal but also offers a warm and inviting welcome to all who pass through our gates. Embracing sustainability, we've taken a major step by installing solar panels, reducing our environmental footprint while powering our operations with clean energy. Additionally, to better accommodate our diverse club activities, we've introduced a flexible, non-permanent office space, providing a dynamic hub for administration, meetings, and collaborative initiatives. These upgrades represent a testament to our commitment to continuous improvement and the provision of top-tier facilities for our cherished members and the broader community.

In 2024, Melba Tennis Club was named the Most Outstanding Tennis Club across Australia at the Australian Tennis Awards in Melbourne. This achievement is wonderful recognition for the hard work that is put in by so many people at the club who contribute to making Melba Tennis Club the amazing place that it is to come together and play tennis and make new friends. This award was based around the club's strategic planning, memberships, coaching programs incoroprated through Tennis Australia programs, upgrades of facilities and community involvement. This award is also recognition for the hard work that was done by past and present committee members to put Melba Tennis Club in a wonderful position as the best in the ACT.