The event, held at the club’s current location behind the school site, brought together approximately 60 people, including past tennis players, local legends, and guests who travelled long distances to join in the festivities.
The atmosphere was filled with nostalgia and camaraderie as lifelong friends, brought together by their shared love for tennis, reunited at the club. Some opted for a friendly hit of tennis, while others relished the opportunity to catch up with old acquaintances.
Life Member Bill Hotson took the stage to share the rich history of Chiltern Valley Tennis Club. The club’s roots trace back to 1923 when the first club courts were established on the south side of Valley Road, on the Chiltern side of Holloway’s Lane. Over the decades, the club underwent transformations, including the construction of concrete courts in the 1940s and the addition of a brick clubhouse in 1960. The evolution continued with the construction of two new gravel courts in 1986, later converted to synthetic grass in 2000.
Chiltern Valley Tennis Club has been a proud participant in various tennis associations over the years, including the Indigo Tennis Association, Chiltern and District Association, Corowa and District Tennis Association, and, from 2011/2012, the North East Tennis Association. While the club may no longer field a team in the association, the courts remain in use on a casual basis.
Reflecting on the welcoming nature of the club, former player David Anderson penned a verse that captured the essence of Chiltern Valley Tennis Club: “The hidden gold that brings folks here from near and far to play and stay, perhaps it’s the people who’ve lived here for generations and welcomed us into their valley, where we caught the bug to carry on the tradition of welcome too.”
Recalling the early days, the Rutherglen Research Institute was a source of several recruits for the club. Later on, teachers at Rutherglen High School and Uncle Tobys staff also contributed to the club’s growth.
Success on the court included the following Premierships: 1975 B Grade, 1979 B Reserve, 1991 A1, 1995 A2, 1998 A2, 2001 A1, 2002 A1, 2002 A1, 2003 A2, 2005 A Grade, 2013 Section 2, 2014 Section 2.
While the club celebrated some notable successes on the court, including multiple premierships in various grades, Chiltern Valley Tennis Club became renowned for something beyond their tennis—their legendary spread of afternoon tea. Each week, players were treated to an array of mixed sandwiches, sweet treats, and the ever-present scones with jam and cream, courtesy of Lorraine Foster.
The centennial celebration wouldn’t have been possible without the hard work of the current committee, including Simon Rasmussen, Peter Walker, Lorraine Foster, and Bill Hotson. Special thanks were extended to Brooke, the Creative Cook, for her contributions of delicious salads and desserts for the night.
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