Marrickville & District Hardcourt Tennis Club Celebrates 70 Years

Summer Hill MP Jo Haylen was a special guest and presented the Club with a copy of the Community Recognition Statement that she had given to the NSW Parliament on 18 September to commemorate the milestone.

Other dignitaries included Marie Burns and Alf Bishop, the Club’s two surviving foundation members.

Club President John Baylis paid tribute to the founding members for their determination in establishing the Club — the first licensed tennis club in NSW.

He also took the room on a walk down memory lane, in what he described as the “sweat” of the volunteers who helped build the original clubhouse.

“The Marrickville & District Hardcourt Tennis Club was founded by the then Dulwich Hill Branch of the Sydenham Bankstown Tennis Association,” he said.

“A special general meeting was held in October 1953 at Marrickville Town Hall where the council agreed to provide some land at Henson Park for a tennis centre.”

Following official proceedings, canapes prepared by the Club’s Portuguese restaurant, Caso do Benfica, were dished up, followed by an afternoon of conversation, memories, music and dancing.

“I note that there are many people here that have been club members for 40 years or more and who still show a keen interest in what is happening here,” said John.

“Dedication, vision, sweat, love. Club pride and the creation of a sense of community are our greatest legacy.”

Foundation member Alf Bishop was given the honour of cutting the anniversary cake, accompanied by a rousing cheer from everyone present.