Lesmurdie Tennis Club (Inc) 1965-2015

This is an outline of the history of the LTC resourced from records held by the Club along with some information retrieved from the Shire and State Archives.

As a matter of interest, the first public tennis court in the Lesmurdie area was constructed at the Lesmurdie Primary School by their P & C at some point around 1925, but, from all accounts, there was little use made of this court. The school, built in 1920, was located at the corner of Sanderson and Brady roads and the original timber school building is still standing and currently used by the Lesmurdie Girl Guides.

However, what we do know with certainty is that the first “Lesmurdie Tennis Club” was established circa 1932 at Falls Farm with a clay court constructed by the Melson Family who had moved from Albany to Falls Farm. The Lesmurdie Tennis Club, as it was indeed called then, played regularly, weekly from all accounts, against teams from various parts of Perth and against the Kalamunda Tennis Club which was in Haynes Street in these days.

This clay court at Falls Farm continued in use until around 1955, although Falls Farm had changed hands on several occasions over the 20 years or so since the court was built.

In the late 1940’s or early 1950’s, (dates are unclear) the Lesmurdie Ratepayers Association, with help from the Shire, constructed the hall in Falls Road which still stands adjacent to our courts. In due course, probably in the mid to late
1950’s, or maybe even the early 1960’s, a couple of tennis courts were built alongside this hall and the Lesmurdie Progress Association Tennis Club came into being. In 1965 the LPATC had it its first formal meeting and Office Bearers were elected.

For the record they were:

President: Noel Hoffman
Club Captain: Bob Little
Vice-Captain: P. Bingham
Secretary: Mrs. Firns
Treasurer: Pat Spencer
Committee:
• Pat Stockton
• R. Wimbridge
• Norma Jack
• P. Shilcock
Some of these names will be well known to a few members still.

Incidentally the membership fees in 1965 were set as $4 for a married couple and $2.50 for a single. No discrimination laws in these days and a good incentive to get married!!!

Some significant events for the Club:

1966 – A bank Loan was obtained to construct a third court. It was agreed that a “hit-up” wall be built.

1967 – Third court constructed.
The words “Progress Association” appear to have been dropped from the Club’s name.

Commenced annual tennis day with Gingin Tennis Club alternating between Gingin and Lesmurdie. (Still going to this day).

Junior Club formed and the juniors played on Saturday mornings.

First Coach appointed – Charlie Pearson.

1968 – Ball Fees increased from 20c to 30c (50%)!!!
Table Tennis table purchased (probably still in the hall next door).

1969 – Use of the Progress Association Hall by the Club requested and approved by the Shire.

1971 – A “Constitution” drafted and adopted.
Commenced lobbying Shire for more courts.
Joined South Suburban Tennis Association.

1972 – Doug Stewart appointed Coach.
3 courts resurfaced (bitumen) and 4th court added (all paid for by the Club as Shire was unable to help).

1974 – Proposed merger with the Lesmurdie Agricultural Club. (Italian Club essentially).

1975 – Pamela Hatt appointed Coach for a 3-year period.
The Lesmurdie Tennis Club was “Incorporated”.

1976 – 2 more courts approved by the Shire through a loan to the Club.

1977 – 2 new courts opened and 2 courts floodlit. (The timber poles were supplied and delivered all for free by the PMG. A few weeks later the poles were put in place by a PMG crew at a cost to the Club of 1 carton of Emu Export). Great what contacts can do!!

1978 – New clubhouse built at a cost of $9,577.00
(40ft x 20 ft). Prior to this point we operated on match days from a corrugated iron lean-to with a palm frond roof located behind Court 1. The water bag hung from the gum tree alongside the lean-to.

1980 – Affiliation with the WA Lawn Tennis Association.

1981 – 6 courts resurfaced with Plexipave.

1982 – Rob Murton appointed Coach.

1984 – Toilets and Kitchen added at a cost of $15K.

1985 – Need for “hit-up” wall on the Committee agenda (20
years, almost, since first mooted)!!!

1986 – Ian Walker appointed Coach.

1987 – A further 2 Plexipave courts proposed.
Social tennis moved from Sunday to Saturday.

1988 – 2 new courts completed at a cost of $20K.

1989 – Floodlights upgraded and extended.

1991 – Courts 7and 8 floodlit and lights to 5 and 6 upgraded
(old numbering system).

1992 – Thursday night Intra Club tennis commenced.

1995 – Verandah added to Clubhouse.

2002 – Plans prepared for Clubhouse extension.

2004 – Courts 5, 6, 7, 8 resurfaced with synthetic grass.

2012 – Clubhouse extensions completed.

As we have just seen, the Club has had projects under way virtually continuously over the past 50 years and maybe it is now time to once again consider that “hit-up” wall as a 50th Anniversary project for completion in 2016!!!

If anyone can expand on any aspect of the Club’s historical past, please contact the Secretary at Secretary@lesmurdietennisclub.com.au

Acknowledgement of historical record
Mr Martin Dunleavy
Life Member