1. Where did you grow up and what are some of your earliest memories playing tennis?

I grew up living in Broomfield which is close to Creswick. I went to St Augustines Primary School and played tennis with many of my classmates. The earliest I remember is U/13 and training at the church courts, and then on the grass on a Saturday morning. Mum started us off in the U13 competition, my brother James and I.

2. When did you first play tennis at the Association? And who got you involved?

First memory playing was around 1980, with Mum getting me involved.

3. Describe yourself as a tennis player?

I was very determined and suffered from a bad case of white line fever. I wasn't as talented as my brothers James and Anthony, or players like Peter Sewell. However, I had speed, endurance and athleticism and never gave in, a pretty good serve and volley and was tactically sound. I could work out an opponent's weaknesses and isolate it. For example, in the hit up I would constantly hit it to a player's strong side then target their weak side in the match. Also, I would serve exclusively to an opponent's weaker backhand but on a big point serve to their forehand to do the unexpected. I would also take it as a challenge to chase down every shot and even climbed the fence to retrieve an opponent's smash on occasion.

4. What are some of your highlights from your playing days?

Winning four grand finals in a row in A grade with my brothers and then coming back 7 years later and winning again. Winning the A grade singles championship three years in a row, especially the first one just after my grandfather died in a tragic accident. I was able to defeat such very talented players like Trevor New and Trevor Nase in the process. I had a mentality of never giving up, especially in big matches, such as the grand final in 1994. Myself and Brian Carr were down 7-1 against Lawrence in the 3rd men’s. A large crowd had gathered to watch as I'm sure most people were sick of us winning the grand final three years in a row. We had a conference and were able to come back to win 9-8 in the tie-breaker. This had a big bearing on our eventual streak of 4 premierships in a row.

5. Who are some of the best players you’ve shared a court with over the years?

My brothers James and Anthony, Peter Sewell, Trevor New, Robert Conkie, Kevin Haintz, Jan Hives, Megan Toose and apologies to all the others I haven't mentioned.

6. Who have been some of your best doubles or mixed doubles partners over the years?

James and Anthony Gilchrist, Lorelle Cosgrave, Anthony Pearce, Georgina Pearce and Robyn Pearce. 

Also it would be remiss of me not to include at least a line or two about that wonderful man Bill Cosgrave. One of the most influential people outside my family was Bill Cosgrave. He was one of the nicest people I have ever met. He also knew exactly what to say to motivate players at Country Week. He was building me up before Country Week finals encouraging me to use my speed saying "There were sparks flying you were moving so fast". He also offered Scott McKay free beer at the club house before a Country Week final and I watched as Scott was serving second serve aces and the Mt Prospect team won for the first time in living memory.

7. You have won 3 singles club championships at the Association. Do you have one that stands out more than others?

The first as mentioned above, as I wasn't expected to do it being 18 and playing against players such as Peter Sewell, Trevor Nase and Trevor New, who were all seeded above me. My grandfather had recently died driving into a train and people weren't surprised that I had won as I was even more determined than usual.

8. What did you enjoy most about playing on the grass courts?

The speed of the game which suited me and the great environment.

9. Who have been some of the most enjoyable players to play with? And can you recall any funny stories from one of your matches?

James and Anthony Gilchrist, Anthony Pearce, Yvonne Perks, Trevor New and Wayne Batterham, Kevin Haintz and Rob Conkie in country week. In terms of a funny story, I was trying to put the opposition off in country week (a player who was better than me), So I just stared at him the whole match and did probably some other things I don't recall. He eventually cracked and screamed profanities which the whole Hollioake Park Complex in Ballarat heard and we ended up winning the A grade semi-final.

10. Your family has also had a large involvement in tennis at Mt Prospect, what are some of your favourite family memories with tennis?

My mother and all the work that she did to build up tennis at Mt Prospect. Playing in 5 A grade winning teams with my brothers as well as U13 and U16 section 1, A2 and A4 as well.

11. Since you stopped playing tennis at Mt Prospect, have you continued to play?

I played in Ballarat with my brothers and we won the open section at the highest level, I also played in Kyneton in the Macedon ranges in 1999 and helped them to win their first title. I stopped competitive tennis in 2004 and have played socially on different occasions.

12. Do you have any other stories or anything else you want to mention?

I think the great thing about tennis at Mt Prospect is that you had these fierce rivals on the court such as Trevor New and Wayne Batterham, but we had respect for each other and could socialise off the court. It was great to have a beer on Saturday night with them. I would say the social aspect was a highlight and there were some really nice people such as John Kinnersly, Andrew Seamons, Ricky Andrews, Lorelle and Desley Cosgrave, Christine and Sandy Hollingsworth just to name a few. Again my apologies for all those I have missed out.

Growing up we had teams of people that we went to school with such as Martin Healy, Michael McMahon, Rachel Pepper, Karli Pepper (New), Claire Vanderlinden. I also met lifelong friends at tennis like Stuart Conkie. I felt really bad for him when he finally won his first trophy in a tournament, and it was a six pack of Coke cans and he didn't drink coke! He wasn't impressed!

It was also a highlight playing with Trevor and Wayne Batterham, as well as my brother James and Lorelle Cosgrave in A grade country week. I vividly remember Trevor going in to bat for me when some Bunninyong fans were hassling me for gesturing to them from the court. I think I was known for my gamesmanship which would include doing headstands on the court. Off the court I was more of an introvert and the complete opposite on court, as I went into my on court "persona". I think people could see that and that's why I had so many friends off the court.