In Lorraine’s early teens, her aunt, who was a member of Canning Tennis Club, taught her how to play tennis. She then went to a coaching clinic run by Don Harris, a well-known Perth tennis coach of that period, at the Hensman Park Tennis Club, where Lorraine was taught the finer points of tennis.

Lorraine didn’t play tennis again until around 1975 when her neighbour’s encouraged her to join Forrestfield Tennis Club, (FTC).  The club had four courts at that stage and the clubrooms, as such, consisted of two bus shelters for members to sit in out of the heat. Later, she helped establish a new club house under the direction of club member Gordon Leach.

As the number of juniors playing at the club increased, the club engaged Don Harris to coach the juniors on a Sunday morning. Lorraine joined Don and assisted him with junior coaching. She also joined a Thursday morning group of women players, organised by Don. Some of these ladies had never played tennis before. 

Forrestfield Tennis Club was approached by the newly formed Darling Range

Mid-Week Ladies Pennant Association requesting FTC to enter teams into this new pennant competition. Lorraine and another club member, Eileen Ritchie, then arranged for the club to field three ladies’ teams from the Thursday morning ladies’ group.

In the club’s early days, Lorraine said that the young mums didn’t return to work after having babies, so the babies and children came with their mothers to the tennis. There was usually someone sitting off to keep an eye on the kids while the other mums were playing. It was a great social event with the mothers, young children and babies in attendance at the pennant games.

The ladies’ pennant teams played throughout the Kalamunda Shire, Thornlie, Gosnells, Mount Helena and even as far away as Safety Bay. It was only recently, about three years ago, that the Darling Range Ladies Pennants Association ceased to exist due to a lack of numbers. This is mainly due to the fact that now a days, most ladies return to work after having children.

Lorraine was always very competitive as a player, so much so that people would comment about her killer instinct. This was especially true when playing pennants or in club championships. Some of the FTC titles that Lorraine won over her tennis playing years include:

Ladies’ singles:         1978, 1979, 1980, 1984

Ladies’ doubles:       1978, 1979, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2009

Mixed doubles:         1979, 1984, 1995, 2004, 2009, 2010

Lorraine enjoyed playing pennants and was initially asked to play on a Saturday afternoon by another club, as FTC did not at that time field any pennant teams. When FTC did start fielding pennant teams, she quickly returned to the club to start playing for them. Lorraine played for quite a few years playing pennants on a Saturday afternoon for FTC, but over time, most pennant players just preferred to play social tennis on a Saturday afternoon.

Over the years Lorraine played pennants for quite a few different clubs, but her heart was always with Forrestfield. She also played in a lot of south suburban tournaments and other special events such as the Kay Turner Cancer Tournament and also tournaments in Dowerin, and at the Lesmurdie Tennis Club. Lorraine had more than her fair share of success playing pennants and in different tournaments.

Lorraine served for many years on club committees where one of her roles was to help organise ladies’ pennant teams for the club. The current club house was built under the supervision of Damien Cole, with the help of club members, including Lorraine. Damien was club president for many years and the club relied on his expertise and dedication in helping to establish the club.

Even though her pennant days are behind her, Lorraine still enjoys playing tennis on a Saturday afternoon and a Tuesday morning. She enjoys socialising at the club house after the tennis has finished with longtime tennis friends from the club and also meeting the many new members that have joined the club over the last few years. Lorraine believes that Forrestfield Tennis Club is a great club and has a reputation of being very social and welcoming to new members.

Lorraine was presented with life membership in 2021, for her many years of contribution to the Forrestfield Tennis Club.

Lorraine, 2nd from left, receiving her trophies for the Ladies Singles and Ladies Doubles events.

Kalamunda Shire President making a presentation to Don Harris at the opening of the club’s new clubrooms, in which Lorraine played a role in helping to establish. The article notes that, “Forrestfield’s best ever club member, Lorraine Armstrong, was presented with a gold chain in recognition of her many years’ service to the club. Lorraine has served on most committees since the inception of the club and has been a tireless worker for the club, both on and off the court.”