ROBINVALE Lawn Tennis Club have crowned two new life members following another successful Easter Tournament, attended by close to 150 tennis lovers.
Vicki Broad and Trevor Tolley were recognised for their outstanding efforts in ensuring Robinvale’s residents can take to the courts and have a hit at the club.
Speaking to The Guardian, Broad said the appreciation shown was “very humbling and very special”.
“It is nice to have my efforts be recognised,” she said.
“Mine is mainly for my commitment with the tournament over the last 14 years, but I’ve also been the grants officer here and have brought in over $200,000 in grants.
“It is nice to have my efforts be recognised. A lot of effort and a lot of volunteer hours go into the tournament.
“Planning really does start pretty much a year in advance, but it really ramps up just before Easter.”
But the planning and countless hours put into the tournament’s success paid off once again, as visitors flocked to Robinvale to take part.
Lisa and Eliza Hill were victorious in the A Grade women’s doubles, while Lisa and Emily Pekin finished runners-up.
In the men’s A Grade, Darren Wardle and Glenn McKissack finished ahead of runners-up Craig Roberts and Richard Wardle.
B Grade winners were Glen and Luke Chapman in the men’s doubles, beating Jack Hill and Richard Wardle.
Junior girls’ winners were Lana and Zoe Brooks, finishing ahead of Isabella Burston and Remmy Wright.
The junior boys’ competition was taken out by Hugh Burston and Archie Wilkins, with Jye Field and Darby Perryman runners-up.
Broad said the weekend had turned out perfectly.
“We had perfect weather – some of those from the areas with a cooler climate might have even thought it was a bit warm,” she said.
“But it was absolutely perfect, we had really good numbers and there was a really good vibe.
“I’m blown away every year to see so many people coming back and playing in the tournament.
“It’s special to see the kids who have grown here, who might have travelled off to university or for work, travel back home for Easter and take part in our tournament.
“We’re really well supported by our neighbours in Swan Hill, in Mildura and Red Cliffs, places like Ballarat, Bendigo and Melbourne. People just come from everywhere.
“Everyone gets into the spirit of things with dress-ups, as well as that more serious side when we’re playing tennis.”
Broad said Easter was a vital time for the club’s survival.
“Our normal numbers at the club are much smaller,” she said.
“When we see this influx of visitors who love playing tennis here and hanging out with us here for Easter, it’s a really amazing feeling.
“This makes up close to 80 per cent of our revenue for the year, we are really dependent on that money.
“To maintain lawn tennis courts takes the effort of a curator, it takes irrigation and lots of manual labour that goes into keeping our 21 courts up and running.”
