Lillian’s first initiation into playing tennis was around 1978 when her eldest son, Nathan, made a new friend at kindergarten named Richard Armstrong. Richard asked Nathan to come and play tennis with him at Forrestfield Tennis Club, (FTC). Lillian took Nathan along to FTC and Nathan joined the club learning tennis in Don Harris’s junior coaching clinic. Richard’s mum, Lorraine Armstrong was there and after they got to know each other, Lorraine offered to teach Lillian how to play tennis.

Lillian had previously played squash at a reasonable standard and she was able to pick up tennis relatively quickly, although she was much better at singles than doubles. After a few weeks of learning tennis, one of the pennant teams lost a player and Lillian was asked to take their place. Much to Lillian’s and her teammate’s surprise, she won her first singles game. Doubles, however, would take her much longer to learn as she was never sure when to hit the ball or leave it for her partner.

Lillian has not only enjoyed playing tennis, but she has also made an impact at FTC off the courts as well through her work on a number of committees in a range of different roles. Some of these roles include:

• House Captain
• Junior Co-ordinator, (when there were over seventy juniors and not enough courts)
• President

During Lillian’s time as President, she fought tooth and nail with the Kalamunda Shire to release more land to the club so that the club could increase the number of tennis courts from four to six. This was no easy task. To quote a long-term club member, “I think the fact that the club's four courts were surrounded by land that was and still is deemed to be "bush for life" and what Lillian achieved in getting the Shire to change this classification for the building of courts 5 & 6 was very difficult but extremely significant for the club's future.”  Once approval was given for land to be made available for the two extra courts was successful, Lillian then became heavily involved in fund raising to help cover the costs of building the two new courts. One of the fund-raising events included selling bottles of port from Jadran Winery with FTC labels on them.

It was during this fund-raising period that members were asked to loan funds to the club, which were covered by debentures, and then when the club had surplus funds, the club Treasurer, Clarke Hendry, would draw a name out of a hat and that member would have their loan paid back to them. Eventually the project to build two new courts at the club went ahead and courts five and six were built to the relief of club members, but there were some people outside the club that were unhappy that a small amount of bushland had been lost to the club.

Lillian has continued to play tennis at FTC ever since she had her first lessons with Lorraine in 1978, over forty-five years ago. She even managed to talk her husband Kevin into playing pennants for the club for a couple of years and in 1988 they even won the plate round in the mixed doubles competition at the club. Also, her three children played junior tennis at the club.

Lillian is well known for her cooking prowess and usually has made a cake to bring along to the club for afternoon or morning tea breaks. For special occasions, she is well known for baking a special treat to match the occasion. Lillian is also a regular attendee at club busy bees and social functions.

Lillian greatly values the many friendships that she has made at FTC since she started playing tennis over the last forty-five years. Even after two hip replacements, you will still find her at the club playing tennis most Tuesday mornings and Saturday afternoons. After tennis on Saturdays, Lillian’s husband Kevin will join her for after tennis drinks and nibbles with their many friends.

Lillian’s hard work and contribution to Forrestfield Tennis Club spanning four decades, was recognised when she was given life membership in 2006. She continues to support the club to this day.