4. The Founders and Early Prominent Members & Gallery & 5. In the Press

4. The Founders and Early Prominent Members

There were a number of people who played a major role in the establishment and early life of the Club. The following brief profiles of some of them record their contribution.

E. (Ted) Ford – Widely considered to be the founder of the Club. He was the one who called the preliminary meeting to discuss the formation of a Club after the First World War. During his tenure at the Club, he held, at one time or another, almost all of its major offices, including that of Club President from 1923-24. He was an active member of the Club for 44 years until his much-mourned death in 1962.

Councillor ‘Dad’ Franklin – Councillor Franklin, who was a member of the then Burnside Municipal Council, was Chairman of the preliminary meetings for the purpose of forming a Club, and became a founding member.

Dorothy Wheeler – Mrs. Wheeler joined the club with her husband in 1920, as an avid tennis player. Within two years, her passion switched to bowling, which at the time was considered a male-only sport. This was the foundation of women’s bowling in South Australia. For 43 years, Mrs. Wheeler needed no introduction in the world of South Australian and Australian bowling. With a few other enthusiasts, Mrs. Wheeler created the Women’s Bowling Section at the Club in 1926. Her efforts helped to spread Women’s Bowling to other ‘male-only’ Clubs in South Australia. She was also involved in the Women’s Bowling Association of South Australia and the Australian Council for Women’s Bowls for many years. Mrs. Wheeler won the Club women’s singles bowls championship on four occasions.

Dr. (later Sir) Darcy Cowan – Dr. Cowan was actively involved in the formation of the Club. Throughout, he maintained a special interest in the Tennis Section of the Club. As an avid gardener, he was also interested in the beautifying of the Club grounds. His generous contributions allowed the Club to flourish in the founding years. He was the General President in the years 1927-28.

H.R (Horace) Wheeler – Mr. Wheeler started as a keen tennis player, but turned his attention to its administration, before finding a passion for bowls. He was Club Secretary for the decade of 1923-33.

E.A Whitehead – One of the 11 enthusiasts who took part in the preliminary meeting in the February of 1919. In later years, he earned the nickname ‘Cap’n Kettle’ because of his likeness to Weatherby Chesney’s fictional character. He was the Club’s first Treasurer.

R.H Paull – Paull, another important founding member, was keenly interested in the Club’s activities. He was also a President in the early years (1924-25). After his presidency, he continued on as a Committee member for some years. It was under his tenure that the Club had their first electric-light open bowls tournament.

H.E.H Mutton – Not a founding member, but he was a tireless worker, acting as Greens Manager from 1933, including lining and watering the greens and courts. He achieved significant savings for the Club during the difficult period of the Depression, dealing with low supplies, minimal funds, and a Locust Plague. He was made an Honorary Life Member in 1939. He was a boxing champion of the Australian Army during his war-time service.

Gallery of Photographic Memories

Throughout the history of the Club, photographs have been taken to immortalise precious memories. The following section contains images from the earliest time of the Club up until recently.

Open Day Celebrations, circa 1967

Photographed: General President Ted Chittenden, Bows President Eric Jackson, Tennis President David Howell and his wife Sandy

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Golden Jubilee Shield, Presented 1968

Photographed above are Past Tennis Presidents attending the official opening of the upstairs tennis lounge.

Photographed: Geoff Roberts, Jim Morrissey, Joan Young, Knoyle Cross, Bob Brummit, Liz Scholefield (President), Rob Motteram, Ray Alldritt, Brian Lehane, John Kirkwood, and Brian Taylor

1991-2

Photographed

Back: Gwen Edwards, Dot Plummer, Yvonne Gill, Gwen Inglis, Maud Coward, Ethel Halliday

Middle: Margaret Roberts, Lorna Janssan, Mary Lintern Heather Magor, Mavis Uren, Kath Sambull

Front: Ronda Gerlach, Shirley Cummins, Barbara Marks, Joy Miller, Bette Lane

Snippet of a newsletter celebrating the victory of the Blue Division being promoted to the Red Division.

Division 1 Blue, Promoted to 1 Red - May, 1999

Back: H. Ball, M. Markey, H. Magor, N. Harding, M. Frazer, J. Tabe, R. Gerlach

Middle: Z. Miller, T. Taylor, J. Gibb, B. Lane, E. Krause

Front: K. Janssan, E. Halliday, M. Ferris, M. Jennings

Absent: J. Reid Pagination

Division 2 Mid-Week Ladies Tennis – Winners, 2011

Photographed: Ana Pedruco, Helen Dew (Former Captain of the Australian Women’s Hockey Team), Dr Kate Jarvis, Avril Betros and Hilary Brigden

Ladies Premier II – Grand Final Winners 2008/09

Back: Penny Landherr, Joan Reid, Margaret Davey, Nan Harding, Liz Scholefield, Heather Magor, Sheila Calladine, Jody Kraguljac

Kneeling: Josie Wright, Rose Szentgyorgyi, Bette Lane, Ellen Krause

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"Forty-four exuberant young tennis players and their coaches enjoying their involvement in the junior tennis clinic conducted over 4 days in October 2017 as part of the Club's junior tennis development program.” – October, 2017

5. In the Press

Kensington Gardens Bowls and Tennis Club has had its fair share of time in the local press. From the 1920s, the Club has been featured in various newspapers. Below are samples of articles that have involved the Club, particularly those that have talked about the Club’s many successes.