THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB INC. ISSUE NUMBER 22 COURT APRIL 2009 SALTER WINS Record 8th Title FEDERER TAKES Clubhouse HOME SECOND Redevelopment AAMI UPDATE CLASSIC TITLE Congratulations to our two Club Champions for 2009 Jay Salter - on winning a record eighth title at Kooyong Adriana Szili - on winning her second Club Championship title Adriana Szili Jay Salter John Fitzgerald SCHOLARSHIP LAUNCHED members had been anxious to find a way to honour his memory. The result is the John Fitzgerald Kooyong Scholarship for junior players, to provide them with the opportunity to join the club, to improve their game with our coaches, and, hopefully, to advance to greater things in the world of tennis. Young girls and boys will be awarded scholarships each year, offering membership, coaching and some assistance with expenses for attending tournaments etc. This is not meant to Evonne Goolagong-Cawley and Peter Quinn with the first recipients of the John Fitzgerald replace or replicate the Tennis Australia Scholarship, Lorenzo Alforque and Briony McKenzie. junior schemes but to make a Kooyong contribution to deserving youngsters. ne of the Club’s favourite John Fitzgerald was a leading As part of the Clubhouse renovation, a personalities, Evonne newspaperman in Melbourne for many special area will be set aside to display O Goolagong Cawley, was on years, including several years as Editor information about the scholarships and hand to help launch the John Fitzgerald of The Herald, then switched to public the man whose name they carry. Kooyong Scholarships at lunch on the relations where he became well known Evonne, who had delighted the luncheon final day of the AAMI Classic in January. for his wide range of contacts and skills guests with her candid and entertaining at sorting out problems. Kooyong Foundation Chairman, Peter tales of life on the tennis circuit, Quinn, told a packed house that the As Peter Quinn put it: “John left presented Kooyong tracksuits to two of scholarships were being introduced to behind a legacy of achievements in the the first scholarship winners. honour club stalwart John Fitzgerald, newspaper industry, in public relations, Special guests of the club on the day who died in October, 2007. in raising huge amounts of money for were members of John Fitzgerald’s charity, in working with our Olympic family: his widow, Arline, his daughters “Kooyong has had many outstanding teams and our various bids to host the Kate Dawson and Louise Hill, their members throughout its history,” Peter Games, in the America’s Cup challenges. husbands, Peter Dawson and explained. “Some were champion You name it, Fitzie was there. players. John Fitzgerald was simply a Murray Hill, and the three Fitzgerald champion bloke. “He was there when we won the grandchildren, Matilda Dawson and America’s Cup and he was there many Phoebe and Georgia Hill. “Whether you were a member of his years later to watch our challenger go family, a work colleague, a partner or to the bottom of the ocean! Of course, opponent on the tennis court, or simply being an un-reformed news reporter, someone who enjoyed his company over Fitzie was straight on the phone when he a drink or a meal in the clubhouse, you saw the yacht break in half and start to could count yourself a very lucky person.” sink beneath the waves. During more than 50 years as a club “In his distinguished newspaper career member, Fitzy, as he was known to all, he was the courageous and crusading never sought any limelight but was a editor of The Herald, who defied legal tireless worker behind the scenes. threats to publish news of the notorious Khemlani Loans Affair. He also took “He was the man standing on the personal risks when he ran articles linking sidelines offering advice and help -- and the Mafia with drug-dealing in Australia.” hard work -- whenever the Club or the President had a problem,” Peter Quinn Peter pointed out that John Fitzgerald explained. “On the court he was a fierce had been one of the key movers in Foundation President, Peter Quinn, with competitor, but full of good humour and establishing the Kooyong Foundation John Fitzgerald's widow, Arline, and much loved by his playing mates.” and, after his death, Foundation daughters Kate Dawson and Louise Hill. COURTSIDE – APRIL 2009 3 CONTENTS Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club Inc. 489 Glenferrie Road COURTSIDE MAGAZINE Kooyong VIC 3144 ISSUE NUMBER 22 - APRIL 2009 Phone: (03) 9822 3333 Fax: (03) 9822 5248 ON THE COVER Website: www.kooyong.com.au Email: [email protected] Federer takes home second ABN: 17 177 846 072 AAMI Classic title Reg. No: A0039994S KOOYONG LAWN TENNIS CLUB COUNCIL 3 John Fitzgerald Scholarship Ian Hill - President Launched David Wilson - Vice-President Brian Capp - Vice-President 5 A message from the CEO Des Hinsley - Treasurer President’s Report Members of Council Peter Carew 6 Clubhouse Redevelopment Update Adam Cossar Cam Dickinson 8 Federer takes home second Richard Kennett AAMI Classic title Fiona Law 06 Duncan McCulloch 10 Salter wins record 8th title Margot McCluskey Andrew Sutherland 12 Archives & Research Centre Chris Brown - CEO 13 The Wayne Arthurs Cup Council Members may be contacted 14 Food & Beverage News at any time through reception. 15 Annual Report PUBLISHERS 16 The Granite Club Courtside magazine edited by 17 Kooyong Juniors win Daniel O’Neill National Titles 08 Membership Enquiries 18 Men’s Sate Grade Chris Wilkinson [email protected] 19 Women’s State Grade Tennis Enquiries 20 Midweek Ladies Report Cedric Mason [email protected] 21 Kooyong’s pennant profiles Functions Enquiries 22 Kooyong International Tennis Renee Reid Academy [email protected] 23 Crèche News Design & Production 18 Mustard Creative Media 24 Billiards & Snooker Report [email protected] 25 Royal Children’s Hospital Auxiliary 26 Social Committee KOOYONG CORPORATE MEMBERS 27 Young Members AAMI Aviva Australia 28 Wine and Food Society Australian Fabric Laminators 29 Health Club News C C Containers Mercedes-Benz 30 Diary Dates HJ Heinz Company Australia Ltd 28 Zanity 4 COURTSIDE – APRIL 2009 Anyone who has renovated a house will be familiar with the challenges of trying to enjoy normal day-to-day activities while builders and other tradespeople work around Building Development the same areas, completing the necessary construction work. With the building works in full swing, movement in and around the Clubhouse has in some cases In a Club of many thousand Members, changed quite dramatically, creating a number event in Whittelesea on the 19th of April to help multiply those issues manyfold and you get a of challenges for Members. rebuild the shattered spirits of people affected sense of the challenges that faced us when by the fires. we commenced work on our Clubhouse It was always going to be a difficult task development early in the year. maintaining continuity of Member services I wish to thank all the organisations and people during the construction period, however our who have contributed to the tennis day and Despite the many challenges it is pleasing to sincerely hope the activity helps in some small way. note that it is “Business as Usual”. Well, as management team has achieved this and are normal as possible at least. to be congratulated on their efforts. Courts Our objectives for the project included One major positive during the construction Members this year have recognised the minimising impact on Members, maintaining period has been the use of the Kooyong Room, achievements of our Grounds Staff in preparing facilities and services as best possible and which has become somewhat of a sanctuary the grass courts. The benefits of the court laser delivering the project on budget and on time. amidst the demolition works and continues levelling and returfing program are obvious and Early challenges included the loss of front to be well utilised by Members both during the capital works program will continue this year and rear entrances requiring temporary the day and at night. Before we know it the on courts 15 to 18. arrangements to be established to enter Clubhouse development will be completed and Our water management program, vital for from the northern and southern ends of the the disruption forgotten as Members enjoy the building. Those entrances have provided the maintenance of our courts, will be further connections to the squash courts, pool, upgraded facilities. enhanced as a result of the building works. gymnasium and change rooms at the lower One thing the Kooyong Committee feels is Every effort is being made to ensure adequate levels and the dining room, bar and Pro Shop imperative is creating conditions where the non-potable water exists to keep courts in play at the upper level. Club can deliver Members both improved and and maintain conditions for Member use. The relocation of reception to the entry expanded Member services and opportunities Club Championships at the upper level has provided a point of to enjoy their membership of the Club, which The Club enjoyed consecutive weekends contact for Members on arrival and acts as in turn we trust generates strong long term an information point for those people needing of perfect tennis weather for the Club Member loyalty to the Club. assistance or direction. Championships. Jay Salter made history by Around the Clubhouse there has been a Member nomination of family members going one up on Max Senior’s seven Club need to relocate some facilities to provide continues to underpin our waiting list, which Championships by winning the Men’s Open services while work takes place in other seems to indicate a high degree of Member Singles Club Championship for the eighth time.