Veterans

6TH JULY 2022

The veterans celebrated Keith Wickens’ 90th Birthday and recalled his many years of fun with the Bennettswood and Blackburn South Tennis Clubs, especially the valued friends that he had made over the years.

15th June 2022 – MND ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE

Scotty, Charlie and Alan took up the Ice Bucket Challenge this afternoon and raised $275 for the MND foundation. Well done guys!

If you were not at Eley Park this afternoon and wound like to make donation to the cause, you can do it next Wednesday.

Eng Chin

Tom Marks on 24th October. Tom has been an active member for many years, playing tennis with the vets on Monday morning and Wednesday. Tom has always been a regular supporter of all the club social functions.

Tony Bruckner on 6th November. Tony has been a stalwart of Bennettswood tennis club and Eley Park tennis club following the merger in 2011. He was President of BTC for 7 years and Vice President of Eley Park for 4 years. He received life membership in 1988. Tony has held many positions during his 46 years of involvement with the club. He is renowned for his enthusiasm in promoting tennis.

Kevin Graham celebrated his 80th birthday at the Vets tennis on Wednesday 29th November. Kevin has been involved with Blackburn South and Eley Park Tennis Club for 49 years. When Kevin joined the club it consisted of three courts and a shed for a clubhouse. As he does today, he got involved in expanding the club by getting involved in all aspects of building new courts and improving the surrounds. Kevin was responsible for setting up the Blackburn and District Night Tennis Association in the mid 70s, it started with 6 teams it now has 380 teams competing. Kevin is our club President, a position he has held for the past 6 years. He is also a life member of the club. Congratulations Kevin on your birthday and a special thanks for all your work around the club.

Charlie Simms celebrated his 80th birthday with his tennis friends at Eley Park on Wednesday 20th September. As is custom at the club, Charlie was presented with a delicious cake, which was shared with his friends. Charlie joined Bennettswood club in 2003 and has been a regular player at Bennettswood and Eley Park tennis club. He has devoted many hours to sport having founded the Surrey Hills junior football club in 1993 and being involved with Surrey Hills cricket club for 40 years both as player and administrator. During his working life, he was credit manager at Waltons retail store for 25 years. Congratulations Charlie.

Murray McCormack celebrated his 80th birthday with his mates at the Wednesday Vets group on Wednesday 20th July. Murray joined Bennettswood tennis club in 1974. During his time at Bennettswood he was treasurer for 5 years and President for 20 years. With the merger of Bennettswood and Blackburn South to form Eley Park tennis club, Murray joined the new committee and served one term as president. He is a life member of the club. Murray plays Saturday competition tennis in the men’s BSP2 team in the WDTA competition. 

MND Big Freeze

Wednesday men’s vets group did not want to be outdone by the media “celebrities”, therefore, they arranged their own “Big Freeze”. The tennis celebrities, Alan Carter, Charlie Sims and Peter Bramley suffered the “ice bucket” on condition the audience made a donation to MND research. An excess of $100 was raised.

Peter Bramley celebrated his 70th birthday with 25 club members at the Vets Wednesday tennis.

Trevor Chisholm celebrated his 80th birthday with 25 club members at the Vets Wednesday tennis.

Brian Seymour celebrated his 90th birthday with 25 club members at the Vets Wednesday tennis.

Peter Nathan celebrated his 80th birthday with 25 club members at the Vets Wednesday tennis.

Ray Calway celebrated his 80th birthday with 35 club members at the Vets Wednesday tennis. Large cakes were given to them both. All members enjoyed the company of these very fine gentlemen.

Jim Clare celebrated his 80th birthday with 35 club members at the Vets Wednesday tennis. Large cakes were given to them both. All members enjoyed the company of these very fine gentlemen.

We have recently celebrated the 80th birthday of two of our members. Hattie Hayes had her birthday at the end of November. Hattie is a regular social player on Saturday afternoon. Kevin Lambert will turn 80 at the end of December. Although Kevin no longer plays, for health reasons, he is a valuable committee member and a regular around the club working and helping with social activities. Both members were presented with a decorated cake, which was shared with fellow players. Remember we like to know of any member reaching this stage in life so that we can celebrate.

Wednesday vets celebrated Keith Wickins 80th birthday on the first Wednesday in September, although Keith no longer plays tennis, he has maintained his membership and enjoys regular visits to the vets group. When thanking the club for his cake, he recalled his introduction to the vets when he considered he was not good enough to participate, however seeing so many players with arm and leg supports he realised he was fit and able to play. Keith is a valued member of the vets group.