Seniors New South Wales P.O. Box 4803, North Rocks, NSW, 2151 Phone: 61 2 9624 7075 Website: www.tennisseniors.org.au/nsw Email: [email protected] Print Post Approved PP229550 / 00003 President: Mick Bruton Secretary: Robyn Castle Treasurer: Arthur Olsen Editor: Robyn Castle - Email: [email protected] Deadline for next Vetscore - October 23, 2020 ABN 50 206 056 964 Newsletter of Tennis Seniors New South Wales. SPRING issue

Program Of Events - 2020

Dates Event / Venue Contact Phone

Sep 19-20 Lake Macquarie, Cardiff Keith Williams 0412 157 757 OCT 3-4 ETDTA Seniors’ Social R/Robin Craig Edwards 0412 185 130 Oct 9-11 Kiama (Vets and Legends) Dave Lehman 0475 857 740 ear Members, Oct 16-18 Gosford District TC Chris Lees 0411 154 327 Wyong was the first Oct 31 - Nov 1 TEAMS event - Wyong Tennis Club Leoni Baldwin 0448 723 138 Nov 5-6 Hawks Nest - Myall Park Lisa Dale 0412 500 055 tournament to be Nov 14-15 Bathurst Carillon City Andrew Mitton 0419 499 467 held after our long- Dec 4-6 “Dave Matthews” - Nelson Bay Stephen Taylor 0466 154 580 D enforced break. Katrina and These are SUBJECT to CHANGE - Depending on Restrictions Leoni did a fantastic job in running the Event with the with regard to COVID 19 in New South Wales - Watch the support from volunteers. The Tennis New South Wales website courts and the complex are excellent, and it is only a one- Note: The 2020 State Championships were scheduled to be hour drive from Sydney, so I conducted at Rockdale Tennis Club October 2 - 5 however, due think it will become an extremely to the ITF Covid 19 regulations, we reluctantly had to cancel popular Event. The standard of the event...... Eastwood Thornleigh District Tennis Association tennis was particularly good has decided to run a Seniors’ Social Round Robin Event on especially in the Ladies Events. Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October at Pennant Hills Park. Most groups are back playing again, and if any players are Also, there are NO National Ranking tournaments offering missing from your group, please points to competitors this year, in fairness to all. encourage them to get back into tennis. Remember stats show Clubs that are listed above are having meetings in the near tennis players live 9 ½ years future to make the decision as to whether they are prepared to longer than those who do not play run their tournament. Please check with the Tournament sport. Director before making any accommodation bookings. It is a shame that our Australian Teams’ Event had to be cancelled in Canberra next January, as it is stimulated spirited discussion Renewals are now DUE our most popular Event of the over the air waves! Thanks to year. We are encouraging our Brett Haines who has initiated for 2021. country tournaments to go ahead. them and thoughtfully sends us We have not had a lot of tennis reminders. Please pay $20 by Cheque or the last few months, so to go to a Direct Deposit tournament is a great chance to MICK BRUTON BSB 032-044 ACC # 315 326 catch up with friends and it also PRESIDENT helps the various businesses that Please reference using your have had a hard time recently. Your committee has been Date of Birth or Surname meeting via Zoom, which has Canberra Teams’ Carnival - Cancelled

ennis Seniors NSW have been advised that the Canberra Committee cannot run the Teams’ Carnival in January 2021, and they are seeking any other interested party. With only several months to go ..... the task seems almost insurmountable, and with restrictions changing all T the time! Current (and future) restrictions have made the event too difficult to run—with Sponsorships having dried up, as businesses have failed. Safe distancing, and daily requirements to disinfect all surfaces used by players - in both Food service areas and Toilets/Showers would add significantly to the costs. There is also the time factor. When players assemble for matches and others are exiting their court. 20 minutes must be allowed for the changeover to take place; session times would have to be shortened, which is less than ideal. Social activities such as the Opening Ceremony , State Dinners and the Presentation Dinner would not be able to go ahead since the Updated Guidelines have restricted the numbers that may attend. A decision regarding the Individual Championships has just been announced.... They will take place at Easter time in 2021, depending on Coronavirus. Dates: April 2 - 5 2021. Depending on numbers, some matches may have to be played on Thursday April 1. You may use this Link to access our site https://www.tennisseniors.org.au/ pdfs/2020/2020_09_Australian_Seniors_Individual_Championships.pdf

Start training! The Victorians will be straining at the bit, as will the Queenslanders!

The ITF is creating a new age category to allow players aged 30

-and-over to play in competitive, non-professional events –

and battle for ranking points – around the world.

In 2021, tournaments on the ITF Seniors Tour will be able to host players in the 30-and-over category for the first time. The lowest age category on the circuit until now has been 35-and- over, with the new age category allowing players to begin playing tour events five years earlier. They have also created an Over 90.

emember old folks are worth a fortune—with silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys and gas in their stomachs. I have become a little older since I last saw you and a few changes have come into my life. Frankly I have become a frivolous old girl. I’m seeing five gentlemen every day. As soon Ras I wake up Will Power helps me out of bed. Then I go and see John. Next it’s time for Uncle Toby to come along followed by Billy T. They leave, and Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn’t like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a busy day I’m really tired and glad to go to bed with Johnny Walker. Whata life! Oh yes, and I’m also flirting with Al Zymer. PS The minister came to call the other day, he said that at my age I should be thinking of the hereafter. I told him - “Oh I do all the time. No matter if I’m in the lounge room, upstairs, in the kitchen or down in the cellar, I ask myself now what am I here after?” It’s a Miracle! From the Secretary’s Desk

e had better believe it! o much has been The former Tournament Director and changing in the instigator of the famous Forster past four months Tournament, Bob Gorman has come a long S as your W committee has attempted way since his 80th Birthday. He could not attend his Birthday Party - being so sick that to keep Tennis “alive and he had 10 weeks in hospital, and in Palliative care! well.” He has Fibrosis of the Lung, which has no known cure. In spite of being Having been looked after by his loving wife Gail, and prevented from playing sometimes his children.... Bob needed care at home and our regular tournaments, oxygen 24/7 since he could hardly breathe - let alone talk! “out of sight” has not He would run out of breath after 15 seconds. meant “out of mind”. Well! Bob has made remarkable improvement - he is able Some tennis centres have to get “out and about” for short periods. He’s completely been prevented by their OFF all Oxygen, all medications and has been discharged Local Council from allowing even social from the Palliative Care Support team. He no longer needs tennis to be played, for Community Nursing to help him with Personal care, fear of the Virus being showering, shaving etc.....and is even able to DRIVE when transmitted. they go visiting friends and family. He has driven to South This has been the case at West Rocks and Laurieton, and he sounds just like he Forster, where court hire always did when you talk to him on the phone! He won’t has been restricted to one mind if you give him a call! hour - and only three times in a week. Players have been expected to To err is human play and then leave the premises.

to put the blame on others 

is TENNIS! Please go ON- LINE to enter tournaments

Rest in Peace Rest in Peace Be positive, Elaine Jarrett - beloved Keith Middleton - Father of wife of 94 year-old Lennie Not just a Blood Leanne and Brad, Husband passed away recently after Group of Rae - aged 89, he had a a long battle with cancer. good Life! A whole way of See Leanne’s beautiful post Life! on her FB page. Don Cosgrove 1930 - 2020

e met when we were teacher in Manual Arts. Don Stephens and District with varying 16-17. Both born in enjoyed this aspect of his life. degrees of success, like most of 1930. Don was #1 Early teaching periods were at us. I remember us winning Doubles W Junior for (I think) Coona (Coonabarabran) and later at at Nelson Bay in 2011 – later still. Western Suburbs as the family lived Normanhurst. The gorgeous Julie Our latest tennis victory was the at Concord West. Living at Randwick, appeared when he was 23. His first National Doubles (80+) in 2010 at I was #1 for Eastern Suburbs. son Philip, was born in 1961. They Miami on the Gold Coast. In the After leaving school we had entirely then settled down to have 2 (no Final, we beat Ron d’Costa and different lives. Early on there were actually, 3) more children. Two Arthur Newnham 6-2 6-3. periods when we did not see one boys and a daughter Pamela. Lovely We weren’t allowed to play Mixed another over several years. Pamela is a no-nonsense, dynamic together (I would have been “the Eventually we would get back organiser just like her mother. girl” as I was the skinnier). Thus in together – especially so in later Sadly, son Malcolm died early in a the National Mixed Final, we years. car accident. played each other. I had the best Donald loved tennis. At 13 he was Don was a teacher at Murwillumbah lady player and Don had the best already belting the ball regularly High School from 1963 to 1972. looking one, but the two ladies against the brick side of the house. While there he purchased the local were extremely nice. Don’s partner Tennis was his “ everything”. On Squash Courts and later sold them was Beryl Rocavert, and Lurline weekends, he rode his pushbike all at a handsome profit. Also, he took Stock (VIC) ran beautifully and over Sydney to play in the Junior up his much-loved Golf career. He ably around the court with me. I Interdistrict matches. At age 16 he became Captain of the Club, “lived forget the score! In later years, gained a scholarship from Slazenger on the course”. While at Mur-bah, Don married again, this time to the to play tennis. He beat Rosewall – he started selling to Newcastle in lovely Merna. His three pedalled his bike to White City to 1972 where we caught up again. He stepdaughters are great. play the match (and won). became Manager of Prudential So really, not a lot to report on our Don’s father stated that tennis was Insurance prior to starting his own tennis results, sadly most clubs “not substantial”. Instead, Don was agency. don’t have good records available. apprenticed to the NSW Railways We started playing Doubles tennis There were for Don and I many Carriage Builders at Chullora. He again, pretty consistently from great times on the tennis courts of worked there for 6 years. This was around 1990. I had lived overseas eastern Australia. I have never had followed by work as a Design for about 60 years, and only came a better, truer and more fun Draftsman. His “ early learning back permanently in 1990. We partner. curve” was to become High School played in tournaments at Newcastle, Maitland, Port Adrian F Alle.

TRIVIA Quiz

Who was the first and only WILD Card ever to win the Gentlemen’s Singles at Wimbledon?

Who has won the most Academy awards for acting?

In 1999, and both won the same Grand Slam tournament, where was it?

A palindrome reads the same both forwards and backwards. Which date in February this year was a palindrome?

Which three signs of the Zodiac feature animals?

Which Grand Slam Singles title did Maria Sharapova win twice?

(Answers on Pg 6)

4 Spring 2020 Dream, Set and Match

s a child, regularly dreamed of His lasting enjoyment stems from an eternal broadening of outlandish tennis glories. A rarity, then, as now - horizons. Already impossibly urbane, Federer’s satisfaction is now Federer would evade the crushing reality that partially divined from looking at the world through the eyes of his A afflicts most mere mortals, sublimely transforming children. aspiration into achievement. He has made it appear ridiculously ï think it’s just nice to experience cities from different angles, natural and stylish in the process. going to play parks, going to Science Museums and zoos, whereas Born to play, he was also born to dream. But for all his before you go to Art Museums, and you do other things, you prescience, the most know?” he says. successful man in Grand Slam Other things have changed my life in a big way, and the last eight history didn’t envisage years on tour have been amazing. I’m so fortunate that my wife is something even more relevant supportive of everything that we can do it all together.” than global adulation, unstinting One of the things that hasn’t changed is Federer’s appreciation peer respect and extraordinary for most things Australian. Twice coached by Australians – Peter wealth. Carter and – the Federer Family considered moving to Why would he? In his callow Australia when he was a teenager. To the nation’s unending tennis dreams, family was never on his cost, they stayed in Switzerland. play list. “As a young boy, I came here on vacation when I was 14 years old,” Now 38, and married to Mirka, Federer says. “It was our last big holiday, with my sister and my the father of two sets of parents, before I left twins, girls Myla and Charlene 10, and sons Leo and Lenny, 5 – he home and went to the remains the most bankable of all tennis commodities. As national tennis centre in ambitious as he remains, his favourite currency has always been Switzerland, which was the one off the court – family. First, the one he was born into, two hours away and and now, the one he has helped to create. French speaking and I “Tennis is always important, but at the same time, not important,” was incredibly homesick. he says. “There are more things important in life than tennis. I But we had a beautiful didn’t feel like I needed kids for a reality check. Ever since I vacation, we went to became World No. 1 in 2004 and won Wimbledon in 2003, I feel the Great Barrier Reef, like my career could have ended then because I achieved Heron Island. ”I everything I ever wanted. “So I think I’ve been at peace for a remember it was a very long time, and if injuries struck or if someone was ill in the beautiful place, and ever since, I have been in love with Australia. family and I couldn’t continue to play, I would be totally happy.” The weather is great, but the fans are amazing. They’ve been And this is not just because he had ticked tennis boxes beyond unbelievably supportive of me. I feel they have been behind me the reach of others. every step of the way, and we have emotional ties with Peter Federer’s elation at Melbourne Park in 2017, and then at Carter and Tony Roche. They are very knowledgeable about the Wimbledon was heightened because of who was there. “I think game which is super helpful. They’ve had incredible legends in this it’s just an incredible situation now – travelling with our kids, with country that I’ve looked up to, like Lleyton (Hewitt) and Pat my wife still willing to do it – because in my vision, in my dream Rafter, who I loved to watch and was lucky to have played against. that I had when I was a little boy, I didn’t have the vision of I never beat him, but that doesn’t matter. You shouldn’t beat your looking to my player box potentially to four kids and a wife, a favourite players anyway. Then having , and coach and a physio, “he says, “I didn’t see that. So that’s why this – an amazing bunch of guys that really inspired a lot is very surreal what I’m going through and a lot of fun.” of the tennis players today – and one of them is me.” Acknowledgement Leo Schlink – Courier Mail, January 13, 2018

Who is Sidney Wood? 1911 - 2009 He was the Wimbledon Men’s Singles winner in 1931, the only man to win it without taking the court in the Final. It so offended his sense of fair play that he refused at first to accept the trophy. At only 19 years and 245 days, Wood was already competing in his third Wimbledon. One of his supporters would pick him up in a Bentley from the Grosve- nor House Hotel to drive him to the courts. Having defeated in the Semis, Wood was to have played his American colleague , but he had an ankle injury and with the Davis Cup between the USA and Great Britain near, it was decided to withdraw him, handing the title to Wood by default. The victor later recalled, Frank wanted to play me, and it was an insult to Wimbledon and the public that he didn’t, but it gives you an idea of the importance of the Davis Cup then. Britain won the Davis Cup tie, and most people thought that had Frank (#3 seed) played, he would have won Wimbledon. Refusing to keep the Wimbledon trophy until he proved to his own satisfaction that he was a better player than Shields on grass, Wood handed over the trophy for safe keeping. It was three years before they played each other on grass, Wood won, but the custodian (Maud Barger-Wallach) kept the trophy for another six months. “She liked me, but she liked Shields more” he said of his handsome rival, whose granddaughter is the actress Brooke Shields. Sidney Wood who died at 97, was born in Connecticut, and educated in Pennsylvania. He was a delicate child and the family moved to Arizona hoping a warmer climate would help his health. He won the Arizona State Men’s title on his 14th birthday. He first appeared at Wimbledon when only 15. Sporting white knickerbockers, he was beaten in the first round, winning only four games against the legendary Frenchman Rene Lacoste, known as the “Crocodile” and the progenetor of the Lacoste tennis shirt.. IN 1934, Wood lost the semi final to Fred Perry, and made his last appearance at Wimbledon the following year, losing a quarter final to Australia’s . He was ranked in the world top ten five times between 1931 and 1938, in that year reaching number five. After World War II, Wood and his friend , the first player to successfully complete a calendar Grand Slam, founded Budge-Wood, a laundry business in Manhattan. Wood is also credited with inventing, designing and patenting a synthetic playing surface used for indoor courts and for the World Championship Tennis series between 1973 and 1978. Sidney Wood is survived by his wife Patricia, three sons, two daughters, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. 5 Thanks to Ian Fisher (Many years ago) for this article – from the Telegraph London, Guardian News and Media. Central Coast Results August 14-16

WINNERS RUNNERS UP

35MS Pejay Lancer Kaz Hosoi 35-50 Craig Edwards 50MS Matt Taylor Leigh Holmes

35WS Sharon Killen Robyn’s Moat 35-50MD H Cullum A Girdler R Clarkin S Tapscott The Adventures of 35-50MD C Edwards G Armstrong T De Leeuw D King Billie the Ginger Cat 60MD B Bow J Attard J Lovett D Reaves 70MD A Sacks J Zucker

She was a gift for Rory’s 5th Birthday, 35-50WD M Dolahenty K Keyes J Jacobsen S Killen a skilled hunter, who could easily make 35-50WD K Hanratty C Perks H Burge W Izzard short work of rats. Possums were 60WD C Campling K Nealon E Partridge V Kuba more challenging and this ended up with a trip to the Vet to get a few C90 WD J Jacobsen S Killen R Ives B Allison C110 WD M Gordon R Davies E Partridge W Izzard more stitches in her catsuit.

She would lose a collar every couple of 35-50XD S Edwards C Edwards S Killen B Haines weeks - we suspect she was flogging 35-50XD A Dittmar M Jones K O ‘Callaghan R Clarkin them on the black market. 60XD V Kuba A Lyle L Baldwin J Lovett She liked to start the day with a 100CMD T De Leeuw D King R Clarkin S Homsey cat-uccino (shot of frothed milk). She 100CMD C Boyce R Kohn S Harris G Harris loved visiting other houses. There 150CMD M Bruton J Whittaker C Elliott J Will were about 20 regular households in Chatswood she would visit. There are CXD J Andrews S Harris M Gordon B Hall pictures of her at 21st Birthday parties, Kids’ parties or First Day at School. Cheerio Corner When Phyllis (grrr) arrived, Billie decided it was time to explore further afield. Unfortunately, this risky Good Luck to John Whittaker, as he continues to develop very BROAD shouders- he behaviour resulted in her being “cat- had to carry Mick Bruton in the above Central Coast tournament! napped”. Missing for 9 months, we Best wishes to Ian and Pam Crawford, Mike Hook, Noel Fraser, Garry Potter, Ross received a call from a Vet in Summer Jones, and several others who are battling illness or injuries. Our thoughts and prayers Hill to say she’d been found, OMG! She are with you all. A special Hello to Colin Luck—the Fittest (and oldest) of them all at was painfully thin, and deaf. Despite social tennis gatherings! eating about 5 meals a day she struggled to gain weight. Being so old Due to travel restrictions, Rhonda and Alan McSeveny have not held their new addition, and thin, people would ring my phone but there has been a lot of “Face Time” taking place. (See pic on page 7) COVID 19 has changed the way we do things so much! Alan says: my regular card games number on her name tag, believing her with my mother Edna (now 96) and my sister Lyn (70) are now held using the program to be lost or abandoned. ‘Trickster Cards’ and a conference telephone call so we can talk as we play. She rarely crossed the road, and It is amazing that many of our oldest citizens are becoming computer savvy. We even mostly transported herself around share Church services on-line on Sunday mornings., says Alan. These come from The Chatswood via the underground Entrance Baptist Church where my son-in-law David Burgess and my daughter Alana stormwater system. Loved by her have significant input. family and friends, in Chatswood for Let’s hope tennis soon gets back to normal. “My children and I would appreciate that.” 18.5 years – never a dull Peter Kilborn recently had a slight STROKE and is being looked after in Rehab after moment – Rest spending a short time in John Hunter Hospital. Pam has posted a report on her in Peace Billie. Facebook page. We wish both the patient and the carer our best. Thanks Helen Ackerman for this “eulogy”! QUIZ Answers: Goran Ivanisevic Katherine Hepburn Roland Garros

Spring 2020 02-02-2020 Taurus, Aries, Capricorn The French 6 Farewell Ross..... Grandparents’ Honour Roll

oss Montgomery was born on

December 1, 1940 and passed away on July 3, 2020 There is a new grandchild in Alan McSeveny relates his 50 the family of Alan & Rhonda R-year friendship with Ross: McSeveny : (Number 18) Ross was one of nature’s gentlemen, David Alan Tondl was born being honest, caring, well-mannered and on April 19, 2020 to Naomi able. He was competitive, a lover of sport and a pretty good 500 player. (nee McSeveny) and Phillip He was generous to a fault – when he Tondl. They now have four heard that a friend, neighbour or family children: Susanna, Abigail, member was in need, his immediate Andrew and David. response was always “How can I help?” We were the best of friends. I would often call in for a cup of tea and a chat  with Beryl and Ross, enjoying their good company and their generous hospitality. We would discuss the things we considered important: family, sport, religion and politics. We also shared a passion for Australia and its welfare, our sadness at the changes to stability, ethics and freedom of speech within our nation. Ross and Beryl were the kind of people that have made Australia great. Ross taught me the rudiments of building, as he constructed a bird aviary and a store room at my home, while I acted as an extra pair of hands. He would say “measure twice, cut once.” When telling a story from his past he would say: “to make a long story Alan and Rhonda short....” and he’d prattle on. My wife Rhonda remembers: “Ross always related gently and kindly to women. He had great strength of character combined with a considerate and respectful manner. We will miss the Some many times he knocked on our front more Magic / Miracles door, always saying our names as he saw each of us, and sharing news and thoughts over a cup of tea and a biscuit. Inverell Tennis Club is able to run He spoke lovingly of his darling wife a UTR, on the weekend of October Beryl and very warmly of his family. 3-4. All our members in the Far We felt happier after a visit from our North can play in this tournament! friend Ross. He gave us time and himself and we already miss him very There is an advertised website you much. To have had him as a father or a can access..... Grandad would truly have been a rich https://www.myutr.com blessing.” Search for INVERELL Ross and I played tennis together in competition, and for over a decade on Format - Seeded Round Robins Tuesday mornings we played with a Talk to John Williams group of men who like me saw Ross as a [email protected] great friend – Graham, Denzil, John, Les and Warren. We often spoke of the Christian faith and he attended special events at church with Beryl as often as he could. So what are we left with? We are left with wonderful memories... not only those of a sick father or friend, but memories of a vibrant, You only live loving person who dedicated himself to his family – a strong man who loved life, memories of a man who loved his wife Beryl unconditionally and memories of a ONCE, but you man who left people better off for having known him. These memories will give us get to serve support and strength, and will continue to inspire us. Sometimes they will bring a tear to our eye or a smile to our lips – would we want it any other way? TWICE in tennis I give thanks for the life of Ross Montgomery. Alan. Spring 2020 7 NEW members, Tennis Seniors NSW

Welcome! Dec 2019 - Dec 2021

Executive:

President Ma NU; Claudia WANG; Albert MORRISSEY Mick Bruton Phone: ...... 9679 0355 Vinay DARJI; Lynda MURIWAI; Paul GRAHAM Mobile: ...... 0416 219 656 Mark LITTLEBURY; Heather FISHER– DRANE Vice President Barbara JOHNSTON, Jeff COLLINS, Saurabh GANGULY, Kat O’Callaghan Mark JONES, Craig SCHOFIELD, Noah JIYANE, Craig Mobile ...... 0414 973 751

MARTIN, Oona REARDON, John TARRANT, Michael Vice President WHITEHOUSE, John YU, Greg BURGESS Graeme Sticka Phone ...... 9713 5597 Mobile ...... 0418 402 415

Secretary Robyn Castle Phone: ...... 9624 7075 Mobile: ...... 0400 389 234

Treasurer Arthur Olsen Phone: ...... 9816 4196 Mobile: ...... 0400 525 591

Committee:

Bob Bow Mobile ...... 0430 470 161

Carol Campling Mobile: ...... 0401 057 866

Craig Edwards Mobile ...... 0412 185 130

Brett Haines Mobile ...... 0402 001 177

Monique Spiller Mobile ...... 0400 050 881

John Whittaker Phone ...... 9680 2090 Mobile ...... 0417 200 761

State Selectors - From Feb 2020

Men

Mick Bruton ...... 0416 219 656

Arthur Olsen ...... 0400 525 591

Graeme Sticka ...... 0418 402 415

Women

Carol Campling ...... 0401 057 866

Monique Spiller ...... 0400 050 881

Robyn Castle ...... 0400 389 234

National Selectors

Alan Walsh ...... 0421 871 003

Kerry Ballard ...... 0417 069 518

Carol Campling ...... 0401 057 866

Team Selection Administrator

Bob Howes ...... 0414 726 355

8