Early Years (1920s)

The Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association traces its roots to the early 1920s. Tennis boomed in Gippsland after World War 1, and local clubs and surrounding districts came together to form an organised association. Under the leadership of Mr. J Croften Lee, as the president and a capable committee, the new Sale and District Lawn Tennis Association was poised for success (Trove.nla.gov.au).

The first annual tournaments were soon established - by Christmas 1927 the "Sale Tennis Associations Annual Tournment" was drawing many entrants and spectators to the towns grass courts.

One early standout was R.M. "Bob" Rolland, a Sale player who dominated regional tennis. By 1926 he had become Gippsland mens singles champion six times in seven years (Trove.nla.gov.au). Rolland repeatedly won the open singles title and earned recognition as "the country champion", indicating success at the Victorian Country level (Trove.nla.gov.au). Early tournament reports in the Gippsland Times celebrate "sparkling tennis" and note Rollands victories over strong opponents (like W. Mellor). All up Rolland won thirteen Gippsland Championships.

Rolland was also holder of the Maffra Easter Tournament "Pearson Shield" in the 1930s. 

The fledgling association fostered inter-club competition with regular pennant between clubs including Sale, St Marys, St Andrews, St Pauls and a Sale East End team (Trove). The association also began sending representative squads to broader events  - there was "considerable interest" in Sales team for Country Week tournament in Melbourne.

Growth Through the Mid 20th Century (1930s -1960s)

Throughout the 1930s the association continued to expand. New clubs from neigbouring towns joined the competition and other associations were formed for Heyfield/Maffra. Even during the difficult years of World War II, tennis persisted as a pastime. Competitive play likely slowed in the early 1940s, but by late 1945 the local association was back in full swing. A grade fixtures that year included church clubs like St Pauls and St Andrews as well as units from the R.A.A.F base at East Sale (eg. East Sale Officers and Airmen teams), while B-grade included clubs from towns such as Maffra and Kilmany(Trove). 

The late 1940s and 1950s saw improvement in local facilities - many towns upgraded from basic asphalt or gravel courts to better surfaces, and clubs built modest pavilions.

Notable Players and Contributors 

Over the decades many individuals have left their mark on WGTA history.

In the early years Bob Rolland was the regions first superstar - his string of Gippsland titles in the 1920s earned him the reputation as the "Gippsland Champion". In later years, Stan Elliman carried that mantle, becoming a local legend in the 1950s for his dominance at Sale and his sportsmanship (his legacy is such that decades later, his grandson would also win titles on the same courts) (Gippsland Times). 

Other talented players included Harry Finlayson - as a youth in 1927 he upset seasoned competitors and even partnered Rolland in the doubles. 

Founding president Croften Lee is remembered for guiding the organisation in its formative years and he continued to serve in various roles into the late 1920s. In the post war era figures like Don Shuback, John McKinnon, Lorna Bailey and Gregor McNaughton became pillars of the local tennis community - all four eventually honoured as Life Members of the Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association.

If you have any further historical information, photos or news in relation to the former Sale Tennis Association or Wellington Gippsland Tennis Association, please email [email protected].