Tennis at the Park #5 The Golden Years (1925–1934)

Step back in time to the roaring 20s and early 30s, when tennis in Queanbeyan was booming and community spirit ran high across the courts at Queanbeyan Park.

Tennis wasn’t just a sport—it was the social event of the season. Crowds gathered to watch fiercely contested inter-town matches, local championships, and the early Country Week competitions. Easter tennis tournaments were a huge feature for Queanbeyan – our first annual tournament was played in 1925. It was a big draw-card for the region with players coming from near and far – including Sydney, Newcastle; and Japanese, Swedish & Indonesian players playing the Australian circuit.

Tennis picnics, Saturday tournaments, and twilight matches under gas lanterns made for unforgettable community moments. The club was growing in size, reputation, and pride—with Queanbeyan regularly fielding strong teams against Canberra, Bungendore, and Yass.

Long skirts, button-up shirts, and wooden racquets were the uniform of champions. But more than that—it was about connection, laughter, and keeping the spirit of sport alive between world wars and hard times.

Photo : Queanbeyan First Resident's tournament, won by Sid Bell, QPTC archives.