Macedon Tennis Club celebrates its centenary throughout 2025, beginning with a continuous 24-hour tennis marathon at Tony Clarke Recreation Reserve this Saturday and Sunday.
President Liz O’Connell said it was a very special year for the club, with a variety of special events on the calendar.
Celebrating the centenary and raising funds at the same time will hopefully lead to the club being able to resurface its four hard courts (the club has eight courts altogether).
With a growing population and an interest in tennis increasing across various age groups, the tennis club is planning for a very positive future.
Any families or individuals with former connections with Macedon Tennis Club are welcome to come along and be involved in the celebrations.
“We certainly value those who have done so much for tennis at the club in the past, and hope the volunteer spirit at MTC continues to grow,” the president said.
The tennis marathon begins at noon this Saturday and continues all night until midday on Sunday.
Tennis will be played continuously, at least on one court, at all times.
And you don’t have to be a MTC member to participate, it’s open to anyone in the community or further afield.
During the 24 hours activities will include a Fast 5 round robin, a teen tournament, kids’ dot ball tennis, and activities, plus sausage sizzle and pizza.
Donations of cash or prizes towards the marathon or associated raffle will be welcomed.
Email: info@macedontennisclub.com.au or phone 0437 032 964 for further information.
NEW COACH WELCOMED
New club coach Ashleigh Woda has been warmly welcomed since moving to Macedon with her family.
A highly credentialled coach, Woda was formerly with Essendon Tennis Club.
Ashleigh grew up in Newstead and was initially home schooled at an early age because of her tennis commitments.
She later attended Caulfield Grammar and played at international level.
At Macedon, Ashleigh coaches from kinder to junior and adult level.
MACEDON TENNIS CLUB HISTORY
Notable achievements and milestones timeline of Macedon Tennis Club.
• In 1919 – Strip of land behind Jubilee Hall leased to Macedon Tennis Club
• 1920 – Working Bee created a single bitumen court. On November 23 Mr W. McKay (club president) formally opened the Macedon Tennis Club court, and its first proper match was played.
• 1935 – Commencement of the Gisborne Tennis Association.
• 1960’s – Bitumen court located where Jubilee Hall car park is now.
• 1970 – The first two En Tout Cas courts built at Tony Clarke Reserve in the current location. Still in use in 2024.
• 1975-76 – Tennis coaching by John Tadd began.
• 1976-79 – Second set of En Tout Cas courts three and four built at current location.
• 1977-78 – Original clubhouse built. Footprint of current kitchen across to storage cupboards. No toilets – players used public toilets at Tony Clarke Reserve.
• 1979 – Macedon moved that juniors no longer played C grade but had their own Saturday morning competition.
• Late 1970s – Ladies competition started by Macedon member, Barbara Southill (Butinar) and Judy Trimole, of Gisborne.
• 1989-90 – Two Plexi pave courts built (courts five and six). Court lights installed by club members for $11,000.
• 1994-95 – Extended clubhouse to include current dining area.
• 1995 – GDTA ceased when the Kennett Government merged the shires and the Macedon Ranges Tennis Association was formed.
• 1998-99 – Extended clubhouse to include toilets and showers. Cost $56,000. Members provided labour.
• 2010-11 – Fourth set of courts built. Plexi pave surface. Lights also installed to these courts.
• 2021 – Inaugural girls’ squad commenced with MTC sending two girls to the grant funded coaching program run from the Riddells Creek Club to keep girls engaged in tennis.
• 2019-22 – The worldwide COVID 19 saw the community locked down, but tennis continued as it was an outside activity. At times competition ceased but women’s Tuesday ladies were allowed social hits within the club which was good for comradery and built women’s networks within the club. Memberships remained steady during this time despite job losses and financial hardship within the community.
• 2024 – On May 3 “Fence Fiesta” celebrations for new fences and retaining walls around courts one to six. $150,000 cost shared by MRSC, Community Bank Gisborne and District, Tennis Australia, Tennis Victoria, GREAT Association and MTC.
• 2025 – On January 24 the club held an Australian Open viewing party to watch the Men’s semi-finals on an outdoor screen at the clubhouse.
• 2025 – The club received a $8200 MRSC community grant to revitalise native garden beds. Three raised garden beds were installed between the clubhouse and court three on February 23.
Thanks to MTC’s former coach John Tadd for providing details on the history of Macedon Tennis Club from 1973 to the present time.
