VALLA BEACH TENNIS CLUB – A BRIEF HISTORY

Around 1958-59 the population of Valla Beach was just 81 residents. There were small holiday houses along Valla Beach Road, on the headland and on Thompson Street, opposite where the courts are now situated.

Council decided that there shouldn't be houses along the headland and granted the holiday house owners free land for them to build other houses or to move the small beach houses to Buchanan or Gregory Street. Council removed the remaining houses that weren't relocated. 

In those early years, community members of Valla Beach felt that a tennis court would be a terrific asset and meeting place. So with picks and shovels and axes to fell some trees, the first court was prepared by the community, including Fred, Jim and Alf Gregory, Dick and Dulcie Gregory, Mick and Mary Henderson, Bill Stewart and his son Bill, the Irvine family and John Steele. John used his truck for watering the new surface.

Bill Stewart recounted the story about how one large tallowwood tree, almost 2m in width, grew right in the middle of where the court was to be built. So the volunteers felled the giant tree and dug out the root all by hand. The remaining hole was so deep, it took two large truckloads of gravel to fill. Today, we are thankful that the bush with many large trees surround our courts again. 

Since its inception, the Tennis Club’s committees have had full responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the two synthetic grass courts, fencing, lighting, surrounds and the clubhouse. The existing clubhouse was built in the mid 1980s along with the second court.

The Nambucca Valley Council owns the property and the Club runs the facilities via a licence agreement. The Club has a great working relationship with the Council, supporting us in many projects.

As with all small sporting clubs, ours is run by a very small but enthusiastic group of volunteers who wish to see this great sporting facility remain in the community for many years to come.  Over the years we have taken advantage of Government grants, which have allowed the Club carry out many improvements.