Research is being done to source the club's history and achievements.

SMART LOCK ON THE MAIN GATE

Since October 2022, the club has used a Smart Lock (called an Igloo Lock) at the main gate. Booking a court requires members and guests to acquire a PIN to enter the lock and gain access to the courts. This is done via a mobile device. For members, it is free; for guests, it is $10/hour per court, which they pay via direct credit using their mobile device.

Light Controller installed — This was completed in mid-December 2023.  The Controller is linked to the Smart Lock.  Members and guests can book a court and the lights simultaneously. They receive two PINS.

TENNIS VICTORIA & CLUBSPARK

In late 2021, the club decided to use Tennis Victoria's ClubSpark computer platform to administer its memberships and website. In late 2022, this was further expanded to using it for court bookings using the Smart Igloo Lock. By late 2023, it will also be used so players can book the lights through the system. ClubSpark has improved the club's operating functions considerably.

BALL WALL & ASPHALT

This was built in 1985/86 and was funded with contributions from the Primary School, Tennis Club, grant monies and some community fundraising.  There was a  substantial volunteer labour component. The cost was ~$7,000.00.

COURT RE-SURFACING & LIGHTS

The four tennis courts were originally En Tout Cas (Clay) and later asphalt. In the 1990s, the club moved to Synthetic Grass. In the early days, the club also had grass courts in the grassed area between the Primary School and the courts. The tennis club owns this grassed area but allows the Primary School to use it.

• 1991 — New lights for $14,397

• 1992/93 — Courts 1 & 2 (Cost $21,000)

• 1993/94 — Courts 3 & 4 (Cost $20,500)

• June 2000 — Court 1 (Cost $9,612)

• December 2001 — Court 2 (Cost $12,500)

• February 2004 — Courts 3 & 4 (Cost $25,962). Partly paid for by a $15,500 grant. 

• 2013 — Courts 1 & 2 ($30,000 - a substantial Alpine Shire grant was obtained). Net Posts were replaced for $2,600.00.

• 2017 — Courts 3 & 4

• 2023 — In October 2023, Eight LED Lights were installed for $49,378.73 (each light cost ~$4,000). Grants were obtained from Tennis Australia, $20,000, and Alpine Shire, $26,000, with the club contributing $3,378.73. Bright & District Electrical Services did the installation.

Ken Bell, president, reported in January 2007 — "Since the early '90s, the club has spent approximately $111,000 on maintenance and fittings. This has included new lights @ $14,500 (1991), four lots of court resurfacing with Synthetic Grass has been done twice  @ $89,600, new concrete paths @ $1,000, a new verandah on the courtside @ $1,000, junior coaching equipment @ $900 and we are just about to have the end fences replaced with cyclone mesh @ $4,000."

BALL MACHINE

This was purchased in 2011 for $5,300 via a grant of $5,000. In the early 1980s, the club also owned a Ball Machine ($1,000).

HONOUR BOARD

A list of past presidents and secretaries from 1977 can be viewed on the website's About Us > Committee page - Click [HERE] to view.

EARLY HISTORY

In the early 1940s, tennis became a major recreational pursuit of the area, with two tennis courts in Tawonga (built 1934/35) opposite the Store, one each at Tawonga South, Bogong Village, Clover Dam, and Rocky Valley Camps. The courts in the camps were established for working men and were under the auspice of the YMCA.

The court in Tawonga South was established in 1943 on land donated by Bill Griffith. This was situated beside and hard up against the first bridge, beside the West Kiewa River and was considered the best hard court in the district.

With the establishment of staff quarters and housing in Bogong Village, courts were developed on the lower side of the road near the primary school. A district association was formed in 1950 with Lloyd Dunn as president and Alex McCullough as secretary. With an SEC workforce of 4,500 people, plenty of talent made the inter-district competitions competitive.

Tawonga South had two teams. Gold and blue in both men's and women's are as well as mixed competitions and they became a major force. Lloyd Dunn established four grass courts in Mount Beauty and paid for the seeding.

Les Woods was finally removed from the presidency by a small band of lady members who lobbied the local tennis fraternity for his demise because the refreshments stored in the club fridge belonging to him weren't in the club's best interest. Their success in that area also heralded the day tennis began to lose its drive in the club. The grass courts began slowly deteriorating, and the participation in district events died. There has since been a resurgence in tennis at Mount Beauty with synthetic surfaces (1990) on the previously maintained hard courts.

The Victorian Country Week 1953 saw Doug Donaldson, Noel Woodham, Graeme Olhson, and John McDonald bring the State Pennant home.

Les Wood, who championed the effort and development of tennis in Mount Beauty, must be remembered and became a life member of the club (awarded in 1956). He brought top exhibition squads from Melbourne and coaches to ensure the ongoing success of local players.

Some of the squad players included Lionel Brody, Roy Emmerson, Nancy Bolton, Mervyn Rose, Jim Matthews and Margaret Court. Mount Beauty became a strong tennis centre.

The late Alex McCullough wrote the above tennis history and appears in his book, The Story of Kiewa.