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

I grew up in Watsonia which is Northeast of Melbourne. I started playing tennis at my primary school, St Mary’s Greensborough. Like all schools and churches back in the day, there were 3 tennis courts on the grounds, and it was just convenient to play there. I later played for Watsonia TC and then pennant with Hawthorn TC. I have some very fond memories of growing up playing tennis which included playing in tournaments all over Melbourne in both weeks of every school holiday break from the time I was 12 to 16 years old. My fondest memory was winning an adult tournament at 14 years old at Keon Park TC and the prize was a burnt orange ceramic crock pot. At the time I thought what sort of prize is this, but I still use that crock pot today, so you could say it was the best prize ever.

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

I first started playing at Mt Prospect in 1992, when Abby my eldest daughter was 2 years old, before that I played a couple of seasons at Hollioake Park. Jodie Seers (Yates) was a colleague at work, and I said I was interested in playing in a more family orientated competition, so she found a spot for me at Smeaton TC. I have only played for Smeaton so I guess you could say I am a very loyal club person.

3. Describe yourself as a tennis player?

I would describe myself as a very cool, calm and collected tennis player with my greatest strength being my consistency. I have always liked to run and keep fit and this attribute has helped my game immensely, especially in my come back year in 2019/20 after not having played in Saturday competition for 18 years.

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

I suppose the greatest highlight was coming runners up in the B Grade Pennant at Royal South Yarra when I was 19 years old. I played in a team of girls I had grown up with locally in the Watsonia area and we all played for Hawthorn TC. Other highlights have been winning the premierships with Smeaton back in the 1990’s and more recently in 2021 and 2022. The most memorable win was over Lawrence when we had more games but less sets. Lucky for us the competition is decided on games and not sets.

5. What are some of your favourite memories of Country Week and the maiden Mt Prospect A

Grade Title?

I can always remember Gary Lindsay nagging me about playing in the Country Week team as it was being held at Mt Prospect and was the final one. At that stage, my youngest daughter of 4 girls was only 8 months old, so my most vivid memory was being totally worn out trying to get to the tennis courts, playing all day and then looking after 4 children all night and starting again the next day. That aside, I remember we had a very cohesive team, you could say one that was put together with winning the final Country Week in mind. It was great to play with different players from other teams, but I did find the 5 days a week tennis very tiring.

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

I would have to say that I was very lucky to play for Smeaton and play with Peter Sewell, he was a great player in his day and my usual mixed doubles partner. Other great players would have to be Jan Hives, Elyse Maggiori, Raylene Reese, Tracey Amarant, Julie Bucknall, Trevor New, Mick Kennedy and Justin McGrath. In actual fact, there are many good players at Mt Prospect, for that the competition is very lucky and it is a shame to just name a few.

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

As already said, Peter Sewell was probably the best male player I have partnered over the years and I have thoroughly enjoyed playing with Kim Lovett, Michelle Batterham, Anne Turley and in recent times Elyse Maggiori and Tracey Amarant. And I can’t forget Rod Male in the first mixed many years ago and in the 3rd mixed in more recent times.

8. You have won 8 singles club championships at the Association, which is a record. Do you have

one that stands out more than others?

My most memorable win in the Ladies Singles Club Championships would have to be the 2020 win over my Smeaton doubles partner, Elyse Maggiori. It is very difficult playing against your friend and teammate and we had a great game with me narrowly winning 7-5 6-4. I found this very satisfying as I hadn’t played singles in 18 years, but I consider myself very fortunate as it was Elyse’s first season on the grass so you could say I had a playing surface advantage; I don’t think I would be so lucky now. The titles I won in the earlier years were only up to 8 games, so not the challenge of a best of 3 set match.

9. Were there any big changes you noticed from when you stopped playing in the Saturday

afternoon competition in the mid 2000’s compared with when you started playing it again in

2019?

The things I noticed the most was the magnificent facilities that the club now has, which is a credit to the past and present committees. Back in the 1990’s there were many more families and children around with far less facilities. I recall the tennis day not ending till around 6.30pm with curfew at 6.45pm. The children all played with each other in the surrounds using only their imaginations and many lasting friendships were made. I think that while the facilities have improved, there are less players enjoying them but that is a sign of the times across all sports.

10. How have you found the social aspect of the Association over the years?

Back in the 1990’s when there were more teams, you had to share courts, this created a more social aspect as you had more down time to socialise throughout the day, this probably carried on into the evening more back then. In current times when there are 2 courts per team, there is less time to socialise and most players tend to play and go now. Life is too busy now! I have made many friendships along the way, and it is great to see that many of the players I played against back in the 90’s are still playing today, which is a credit to the Association.

11. What do you enjoy most about playing tennis on the grass courts?

I like the soft impact of the grass on your legs and body, it seems to prolong the time you can enjoy tennis as you are not running all day on hot hard courts. Gary Lindsay does a wonderful job on upkeeping the courts and as an Association, they are very lucky to have such a dedicated and knowledgeable groundsman. I do prefer when the courts are a little harder so later in the season suits me better than the start when they seem to be slightly softer. I also like the cheap points you can win (or loose) dependant on the bounce or lack thereof, but this is all part and parcel with grass court tennis, sometimes a shovel may come in handier than a tennis racquet.

12. Your family has also played at Mt Prospect, what are some of your favourite family memories

with tennis?

My girls grew up at Mt Prospect, turning up each Saturday year after year for around 12 years and they had a wonderful time running amuck and then practising tennis at the end of the day. My older daughters Abby and Kate played a couple seasons in the juniors and seniors but all in all the girls played basketball, which was why I went away from tennis for such a long time. The most memorable memory was Junior Country Week (2007 or 2008 from memory) when Abby played with her junior teammates. This event was held at Mt Prospect with the finals at Hollioake Park. The team had a great week finishing runners up and I am sure they all remember that today.

13. What do you think draws people to playing tennis at the Association?

Biggest drawcard of Mt Prospect are the facilities, and all teams play at the same venue each week. The grass courts are always immaculate, and everyone is very welcoming and friendly. I would like to see more families enjoying the facilities, which would encourage young people to commit playing tennis in the afternoon competition to gain more experience.