Acheron Tennis Club

Improvement of the Acheron tennis court area:
Sometime during the 1920’s a tennis court was built on the land in McColl Lane, opposite the Acheron Hall. A small portion of the land was privately owned with the greater part being roadside reserve. The tennis court consisted of a concrete playing surface and a wire fence enclosure.
The court was constantly in use from 1920s until the late 1950s with an active Acheron Tennis Club. Over time interest in playing tennis dwindled and without use, the court and fence deteriorated with uncontrolled vegetation over-growing and hiding the court from view.
 

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During 2015 the privately owned land was gifted to the Acheron Mechanics Institute Inc.
In 2016 a group of Acheron residents decided to re-establish the Acheron Tennis Club and to renovate the existing tennis court and fence. The Acheron Tennis Club was re-formed under the umbrella of the Acheron Mechanics Institute Inc., but being self-governing and financially independent. An Acheron Tennis Club Committee was formed and membership of the club was opened to interested residents and their families and friends. The Club publishes a newsletter to keep members informed.
The first stage of the renovation was undertaken and completed in 2016 when the concrete court was cleaned of weeds, surface cracks were patched and the surrounding land was cleared of scrub-trees, weeds and blackberries. The apron of the court was filled with gravel and levelled. New tennis net posts were installed and a new tennis net purchased. Some temporary repairs were made to what remained of the original wire fence.
This work was carried out by Acheron residents, family and friends. Costs were met from membership subscriptions and donations.
The court was now suitable for playing rough tennis and the sounds of racquet on ball were once again heard beside the Acheron Hall.
Late in 2016 an opening ceremony celebrated the first stage being completed.
The second stage was to replace the old wire fence with a new one, install a basketball practice hoop and to erect a shelter. Via the Acheron Mechanics Institute a grant from the Marysville and Triangle Community Foundation was applied for and the required funds were obtained.
During 2018, many working bees have achieved the desired outcome. The majority of the cost was for the new fence enclosure, which was supplied and professionally installed.
Further work has been carried out to fill and level the apron of the court. A heavy duty and adjustable basketball hoop has been installed on a specially laid concrete slab. A metal shelter was erected, also on a specially laid concrete slab. This shelter will be known as the 'Marion Dick Shelter'. Marion Dick was a well-known and popular local resident who was a keen tennis player of the early days. The Dick family have generously donated money to meet the costs of the shelter.
Additional landscaping and tree planting are to be undertaken in the future.

There is to be a 'grand opening' of the new Acheron Tennis Club later in the year.


 
 

Above left: The new fence.                             Above centre: 'The Marion Dick Shelter'                                Above right: the basket ball hoop

 
 
Above: The various stages of the fence being erected.  
 
Above: The basket ball hoop beling installed.  
Committee Executive:
Andy Lloyd - President
Joanna Willey - Secretary
Paul Redshaw – Treasurer



Tennis Club Membership is $5 for a single player
and only $10 for the family.

Please direct debit our account detailed below and email confirmation

Acheron Tennis Club Bank details.

Bendigo Bank BSB 633000 Account 158647008

email acherontennis@gmail.com
 
Above: Margaret Rae (local councillor) and Andy Lloyd (Tennis Club President) at the 2016 opening.  
 
Above: a bit of rough tennis with onlookers at the 2016 opening.  
clearing the site 1920s 1950s
Above left: Tthe old tennis court area being cleared.                                 Above centre and to the right: Acheron Tennis Club Members in the 1920s, and in the 1950s.

Tennis Club Newsletters

September 2018

November 2018

Acheron Tennis Club is affiliated with Acheron Hall.