History
Historic Milestones/History in Brief
1969 | In March a provisional meeting laid the groundwork for the formation of the new Eltham Tennis Club following some five years in the wilderness. |
1969 | On April 1, a public meeting was held in the old Arthur Street Shire Hall to officially form the club and elect office bearers. |
1969 | The Club started with a total of 40 members and a bank balance of $187. Four en tout cas courts were the basis of our beginning. |
1971 | The Club’s first small pavilion was built in April at a cost of $7000. |
1975 | The Club’s fifth court was laid in June. |
1976 | At a Special General Meeting, in October, the Eltham Tennis Club Co-operative Society was formed for the initial purpose of raising funds towards a new Clubhouse. |
1978 | The current Clubhouse facility was completed in September at a cost of $62,000. |
1985 | The Club incorporated on the 12th September and at the same time the Co-op changed its name to the Eltham Co-operative Society. |
1990 | 21st Anniversary Dinner held on 19 May at the Eltham Community and Reception Centre |
1992 | Lights were installed on courts 4 and 7 in April. |
1994 | 25th Anniversary Dinner held on 14 May at the Eltham Community and Reception Centre |
2001 | Lights were installed on court 5. |
2005 | The first waterless porous court installed - court 6. |
2007 | Clubhouse named “The John Dinsmore Pavilion” on 10 November. |
2008 | Court 1 converted to waterless in July. |
2009 | Courts 2 and 7 converted to waterless in February. |
2009 | 40th Anniversary Dinner held on 23 May at the Eltham Gateway Hotel and Conference Centre. |
2012 | Our first Club Coach, Wayne Cowley, retired in July 2012 after almost 30 years. He was appointed in December 1983. |
2012 | Wayne Askwith was appointed Club Coach in July. |
2017 | Court 4 was rebuilt in December. |
2019 | 50th Anniversary Dinner held on 29 June at the Heidelberg Golf Club. Legend status awarded to Life Member, Laurie Sparks |
2019/20 | Courts 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 lights were converted to LED. |
2020/21 | Courts 8, 9, and 10 added - two Plexicushion courts and a classic clay court, all with LED lighting, following a grant of $1.4 million |
2021 | A Book A Court system, for members and the public, with key pad entry was installed in July. |
2022 | Steve Blundell was appointed Club Coach in February. |