President's Message
This year has continued to be busy with plenty happening both on the courts and off the courts.
Firstly, congratulations to the Weston Creek Tennis League teams who were successful in winning their Divisions in the Spring and Summer Leagues. The winning teams were:
- Monday & Tuesday Night League – Spring 2021 Division 1
- Thursday Night League – Spring 2021 Divisions 1 and 5
- Saturday League – Spring 2021 – Divisions 1 and 3
- Saturday League – Summer 2022 – Division 1
The club has a large number of teams participating in various Divisions, and any member who is interested in playing Tennis League is encouraged to contact our Club League Coordinator, Dan Green on mobile: 0415 938 772. Dan does an outstanding job in organising the teams and makes every effort to place members in teams that meet their particular skill levels.
The club also has nine teams in the ACT Junior Tennis Leagues. This is understood to be the largest number of junior teams of any ACT club. It is a great credit to our coach, Mark Walton, who coaches a large number of the participating junior members as well as organising the teams.
Off the court, we recently received great news that the club was successful with its grant application seeking funds from the Commonwealth Government’s Stronger Communities Programme Round 7. These grants are highly sought by community organisations throughout the ACT, and we were fortunate to receive a financial grant of $8,150 to fund a project which will replace the aging cyclone wire-filled entrance and main gate with a strong, steel security entrance and gate. Once installed, the new entrance will provide a significantly strengthened and safe entrance to the club.
As a result of the successful grant, Mr David Smith MP, Member for Bean, recently visited the club and provided a certificate recognising our success (refer to photo below). David also provided a second certificate for our 2021 grant success which allowed us to purchase a defibrillator for the club. While at the club, David joined the Monday/Wednesday/Friday (M/W/F) morning social group for coffee, hot cross buns and a chat. A big thanks to Maggie King and Cheryl Jansen for arranging the morning tea.
Speaking of the M/W/F group, thank you to Maggie King who recently wrote a piece on the history of the social morning group. Although recently published, the piece received many positive comments and, consequently, we have decided to include it again in this Newsletter.
A big thank you to those members who took the time to complete the members’ survey. We received 113 responses which is a great response. Once the data has been analysed and summarised, feedback will be provided to all our members. This is the first time a members’ survey has been conducted by the club, and it is hoped it will assist in determining priorities for future enhancements to the club and its facilities.
A large number of our members will find that their membership renewal was due on 1 April 2022. Thank you to those members who have renewed. However, for those who have not yet renewed, could you please do so as soon as possible. The membership system that we use to managing our membership will prevent unfinancial members from booking courts from 1 May 2022. I would like to thank our Membership Secretary, Brian Chauncy, who has done considerable work on the membership system to make the renewal process as simple as possible. However, if any member is having difficulty renewing, please contact Brian on mobile: 0450 961 705 and he will be able to assist with the process.
Unfortunately, difficulties continue to be experienced with the lights on court 1. Geoff Kotz has had regular correspondence with the contractor in an attempt to get the lights fixed. Although the contractor has acknowledged his responsibility to fix the problem under warranty, he claims he has had difficulties attempting to get necessary parts. Recently, Geoff contacted Tennis ACT (TACT) explaining the frustration we are having with the contractor. TACT has now sent correspondence to the contractor asking that the repairs be accelerated as it is having an impact on League matches and the availability of courts. The matter was also brought to the attention of David Smith MP at his recent club visit and he is now very interested in pursuing this matter on our behalf. In the meantime, the book a court system has been amended to prevent the court being booked at night.
On a happier note, a big thank you goes out to Lorraine Ovington who spends considerable time tending to the gardens around the club and ensuring the gardens are always looking their best. Recently Lorraine planted 50-60 bulbs in the gardens, including groups of ixias as well as hyacinths, bluebells, and daffodils. This should make for an outstanding display next Spring and will only add to the overall beauty of the club’s surrounds. A big thank you also goes out to Brian Chauncey and Judy Tregoning who generously provided the bulbs to the club.
Finally, the Committee is giving consideration to introducing a Weston Creek Tennis Club branded shirt and hat. If any member has had experience in this area, or is interested in sponsoring the initiative by having their business name included on the apparel, could they please contact Carl Jackson on mobile: 0432 603 610.
Peter Ward
WCTC President
Learning about the Defibrillator
As mentioned in the President’s Report, in 2021 the club was successful in receiving a grant from the Commonwealth Government’s Stronger Communities Programme - Round 6. The grant provided funds for the purchase of a defibrillator which is now installed at the clubhouse.
The club has now acquired an online learning “package” which provides important information about the defibrillator. The package is available by clicking on the following link: https://rise.articulate.com/share/5hbr-vgXfKPJYy1L2bskjoNaZunfQ30S and then click on “START COURSE”.
There are 10 “lessons” in the package, with each lesson taking less than 2 minutes to complete. However, some “lessons” are not particularly relevant and members may prefer to be selective in choosing which “ lessons” they wish to view. In this case, it is recommended that as a minimum, the following “lessons” should be completed:
- Lesson 1 – Sudden Cardiac Arrest
- Lesson 4 – Instructions for Use (Adult)
- Lesson 5 – Instructions for Use (Pediatric)
- Lesson 6 – CPR Feedback
- Lesson 7 – Video Demonstration.
Defibrillator equipment is extremely easy to operate. However, members are encouraged to access the online package so that they have a greater understanding of the defibrillator, and how and when it should be used.
Working Bee
It is proposed to hold a working bee at the club premises to trim the cotoneasters at the back of courts 9 – 12 and dispose of the cuttings at the Mugga Lane tip.
Date: Saturday 30th April 2022
Time: 9.00 am
Duration: About 3 hours , to be followed by a sausage sizzle for those who participate.
Equipment (If possible): long handled loppers, gloves.
RSVP: If you will be attending, please contact Geoff Kotz at gwkotz@hotmail.com or on 0411 239 500.
Blind Vision Open Day
The Blind Low Vision (BLV) Tennis Open Day will be held Saturday 30th April 2022 from 12:30-2:30pm at Weston Creek Tennis Club (WCTC).
Bookings: The event is free to all participants & more activities looking to be started at Weston Creek Tennis Club for the future. Bookings are essential. For further information or to make a booking, please contact Mark Walton on 0408 486 191 or at csot@grapevine.com.au.
Other: Come & Try opportunity for anyone interested in playing or learning BLV tennis. This will be the 1st time in Canberra that BLV tennis will be run at a club.
Wish to learn more about BLV tennis? Click on the video HERE or check out the Blind Low Vision Tennis NSW/ACT webpage HERE.
Note: Rescheduled from 2 April 2022 due to rain
Recylcing of Sport Shoes
Not sure what to do with your worn-out sports shoes? Through the “TreadLightly” national recycling initiative, unwanted sport and active lifestyle footwear can now be recycled by placing the shoes in disposal bins located at Rebel Sport’s Canberra Centre, Westfield Woden and Belconnen stores, as well as the Asics, Converse and New Balance stores at the Canberra Outlet Centre.
TreadLightly’s recycle initiative take the old footwear and recycles it into flooring for stores, gyms and playgrounds. A great initiative and one well worth supporting
Social Tennis
A reminder that WCTC offers social tennis on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:30am and on Wednesday evenings from 7-10pm. Please contact Maggie King on 0432 865 910 regarding Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning social tennis and Johnny Swientek on 0400 406 687 regarding Wednesday night social tennis. More information HERE.
Morning Social Tennis History
Please click HERE for history of Morning Social Tennis
Published 26 April 2022